TUGASKE, Sask. — It’s not every day a Saskatchewan farmer pulls a combine off the field during harvest to launch a rocket at the local library.
That’s exactly what happened in Tugaske, Sask., on Aug. 29, as the village’s annual summer reading challenge ended with a bang — launched 1,500 feet (457.2 metres) into the sky.
The event marked the grand finale of the Tugaske Library Summer Reading Program, a growing local tradition now in its second year. Thirty-eight children participated in this summer’s challenge, collectively logging an impressive 66,008 minutes of reading between July 1 and Aug. 28.
“That’s over 1,000 hours. That’s all time that’s spent reading letters and not looking at screens,” said head librarian Violet Beaudry.
Beaudry is the only staff member at the Tugaske Library and spearheaded the program — and its rocket-themed prize party — from start to finish. A reading progress chart displayed in the library featured a rocket graphic moving higher as children logged their minutes, culminating in a symbolic rocket launch at the wrap-up celebration.
“At 2:30 p.m. we have a farmer coming in off the combine, and he’s actually going to launch a real rocket,” Beaudry said ahead of the party. “Then at 2:45, the children will get rocket hot dogs and water, and then awards will be handed out.”
The farmer in question was Daniel Wilson, who farms near Tugaske and has children in the reading program.
“We’re out in the field now,” he said during a phone interview while still on the job less than an hour ahead of the festival. “We’re going to shut down for a few minutes and go launch a rocket for them. I’ve got a couple young girls who are going to think it’s pretty cool, and I think everybody else will too.”
Wilson provided a model rocket from his personal collection for the occasion. “It’s about one foot tall… they go about 1,500 feet in the air,” he explained.
The program’s prize system was just as unique. Children who logged the most reading minutes got first pick from a display table packed with space-themed prizes.
“The kid who read the most will pick from the table first, then the kid that read second will pick next,” said Beaudry. “Everyone will get a prize.”
One of those children was eight-year-old Gunnar, who logged a total of 4,654 minutes.
“He was in second place last year, and he was like, ‘Well, I am going to win this thing next year,’” said his mother, Kayla Hamm. “For the first three weeks, he read for like two hours a day … he averaged at least an hour and a half on most days.”
All four of Hamm’s children participated this year, logging impressive numbers across the board. Gunnar led the way, followed by seven-year-old Oliver, who logged 2,376 minutes. Her younger children, four-year-old Willow and almost-two-year-old Griffin had their minutes tracked through read-aloud time, reaching just over 17 hours and 13 hours, respectively.
Despite his determination and a strong showing, Gunnar placed second for the second year in a row, narrowly missing the coveted top spot.
When it came to the festival itself, Kayla said her kids were most excited about the prizes — especially the space-themed ones carefully selected for the event. Gunnar had his eye on a lava lamp, while Oliver was hoping to take home a 747-piece rocket LEGO set.
Prizes were sourced from The Sputtergotch Toy Company in Swift Current, and sponsored by Conexus Credit Union, Western Sales Central Butte, and the Tugaske Co-op, which also provided food.
Reflecting on the program’s continued success, Hamm credited its heart and soul: “Violet is just incredible. She really … encourages reading, and does things like this to get kids really excited about it.”
The Tugaske Branch Public Library is located at 106 Ogema Street and can be reached at 1-306-759-2215.
