Harvest Fest a success at Ranchland Mall

Larry Vannatta, Alison, and Bill Nodrick perform at Ranchland Harvest Fest
C. Davis photos and video *

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Ranchland Mall held its first annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, September 28 , and organizers seemed to be in agreement that the event was a success worth repeating next year.

The event was organized by the Ranchland Mall Tenant's Association. The Pincher Creek Voice is a member of that Association,  but the real credit goes to Loretta Packham and Nicki Schoening.  The day included a variety of events and entertainments.  A performance by the Rocky Mountain Fiddlers was a rousing success.  Various contests occurred throughout the day.

Remember this the next time I take an 'embarrasing' photo of you!
K. Jorgenson photo

Chanelle Seguin of the Pincher Creek Echo performed an eclectic  mix of songs.  Adam Schoening and a man I only know as 'Hap' (we were too busy singing for proper introductions) entertained in the Mall before joining yours truly on a stage set up inside the old Fields Store location.  I performed on that same stage prior to that, but things moved up a notch after Adam and then Hap joined.  Larry Vannatta closed the event with a fun performance that featured the bass and drum talents of Bill Nodrick.  They were joined by local  maraca marvel Alison, who was also highly entertaining.  I'm sure there were other performers that I missed while stuck to my own stage, my apologies if I did and be sure to tell us about it.

Vendors plied their wares in the old Fields store and throughout the mall.  Parent Link hosted activities for the kids.  The scarecrow competition featured a multitude of entries, but in the end the Boston Pizza delivery man with an axe planted in his chest was deemed the winner by the judges.  I considered myself a shoe-in for the Co-op for-charity pie eating contest, despite never having participated in such an event before.  I was quickly disabused of that notion as Nicki Schoening cleared her plate with remarkable speed, leaving the rest of us in the crust.

Trouble comes in threes!  Mountain Radio's ladies at Larry Vannatta show
Barb Kelly, Courtney Potts, Krystina Kretschmer

Boston Pizza's award winning scarecrow.  Best to tip this guy...

Outside, participants were entertained and entertaining as they attempted the tractor challenge, which involved riding a tractor blindfolded under direction.  There was a real lawn tractor for those over 18 and a plastic one for those under.  Some Bantam Mustangs even tried out the course, arriving after their home-field victory over the Coyotes.  Much fun was had.

*photos of pie eating contest by Kim Jorgenson