Redwater fair celebrates the discovery of oil 

By Falon Fayant 
The third weekend of August celebrated the discovery of oil with the towns
annual Discovery Days fair. The fair began on Friday evening with the bench show
at Pembina Place, where exhibitors displayed their handicrafts, baking, preserves,
and the results of green thumbs with vegetables and flowers. This year in the
junior division, Gavin Moskal claimed the rosette for baking, with Isla Harkness
winning in the vegetables and fruit division and Chloe Senych taking the win in
handicrafts. Liz Maki claimed four rosettes in the adult division for baking,
preserves, vegetables and fruit, and flowers. Wendy Fedyna won the rosette for
handicrafts. In the Golden Age division, Donna Kuefler won baking, Ethel Samis won
preserves, Doris Pearson won handicrafts, and Christina Koscielnuk won both
vegetables and fruit and flowers. Koscielnuk also won the grand aggregate trophy
award for the entire bench show with 493 points. There were 683 exhibits this
year, 76 more than the 607 last year, and 40 exhibitors compared with 34 last
year. The Redwater Agricultural Society gave $1,441.50 in prize money at $0.30
per judge awarded point.  
On Friday evening, patrons of the fair enjoyed the Super Mario Brothers
movie, which was moved from the park into the curling rink due to the rain, but
there was still free popcorn. The Lions Club hosted a pancake fundraiser breakfast
on Saturday morning, a delicious prelude to the parade. There were 38 parade
entrants to enthral onlookers and toss candy. This year’s parade centred around
the theme of the 75 th anniversary of the discovery of oil. According to Liesel
Spicer, Community Services Coordinator with the Town of Redwater, “The
Redwater & District Museum was instrumental in bringing this special milestone
anniversary to our attention as a town.” The winners of the parade categories were
the Redwater Health Centre Auxiliary for Best Community Group, Kicks Saloon for
Best Business, Al Shamal Riders for Best Other/Novelty, Redwater HYPE for Best
Youth, The Town of Redwater for Best Municipality, and the Redwater & District
Museum for the Community Services Choice Award. The Redwater Health Centre
Auxiliary is also celebrating its 50 th anniversary, and the float had a 50-year
volunteer on board.  
On behalf of the town, Spicer said, “It truly takes an entire community to
put on a parade like this, and we are thankful for all the community groups,
businesses, service organizations, municipalities, and individuals who came together
to celebrate the Town.  Special mention goes to the RKS Oilfield Services float,
which carried the original sign from the original site of the Redwater Oilfield
Discovery Well.” 

The remainder of the afternoon was dedicated to the rest of the fair, with
bouncy castles sponsored by Rick’s Oilfield Hauling, pony rides and a petting zoo, a
face painter, balloon animals, food trucks, a show and shine, and the farmer’s
market and trade show.  
The evening concluded with a spectacular fireworks show, including
fireworks shot from the top of Redwater’s oil derrick next to Pembina Place.