It seems like only yesterday to some people, but it’s actually been 10 years since the first Chapple Heritage Days was held in 1999 on the Both farm north of Barwick.
This year’s 10th-annual celebration began Friday evening with a bonfire, wiener roast, and some good-old fashioned music.
“I think there were more people out on Friday evening than usual,” noted Heather Oltsher.
It may have been the exceptional weather or the fact it was a holiday weekend, but a good-sized crowd came out to enjoy the food, fellowship, and the entertainment provided by local musicians.
Estimates place the number for the evening at around 200, with possibly more than 200 on hand for Saturday’s activities.
“It was just a relaxed, fun time,” enthused Oltsher. “People visited with each other, sang along to the music, and even got up and danced.”
Events Saturday began shortly after 10 a.m. with a parade of the antique tractors. It was led by Jim Jackson and the heritage committee on a 1927 Whippet, which originally was owned by Jackson’s dad.
Chapple Heritage Days has become an annual event where visitors get a taste of what it was like back in the early days in Barwick and the surrounding area.
It also has become an opportunity for those who grew up in the area to relive the past and share it with others.
“I remember learning to drive on this old car,” reminisced Jackson as he took a carload of visitors for a quick trip around the property. “My brother and I used to take it for a spin down the road and back.”
Merv Ahrens, another visitor on Saturday, remembered a pig barn on the property as well as an area close to where the Both’s house now stands where the pigs were allowed to run.
By 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, a large crowd lined the field in anticipation of the tractor pull. And the audience was not disappointed as tractor after tractor tried to pull heavy loads as far as possible.
There also was a separate competition for four-wheelers.
The winners in the various categories were as follows:
Class ‘A’
1. Jason Strom—pull average 15 (John Deere Model B 1946, HP 20, weight 2,700)
2. Lance Salchert—pull average 9 (Ferguson)
3. Randy Both—pull average 8.5 (Massey Harris Model 20 1950, HP 22, weight 2,500)
4. Betty Salchert—pull average 7.25 (Massey Harris Model 20 1946, HP 22, weight 2,500)
5. Len Stafford—pull average 6 (John Deere Model H 1942, HP 13, weight 2,100)
Class ‘B’
1. Wayne Salchert—pull average 10.5 (John Deere BR 1945, HP 18)
2. Don Manty—pull average 9 (Ford Model 801 1958, HP 38, weight 3,180)
3. Ben VanDrunen—pull average 7.5 (Allis Chalmers B 1946, HP 14, weight 2,100+)
4. Glen Jackson—pull average 4.5 (Ford 1938, HP 25, weight 3,800)
Class ‘C’
1. Gary Barker—pull average 17 (Farmall M 1940, HP 24, weight 4,910+)
2. Henry Petkau—pull average 19 (John Deere D 1948, HP 37, weight 4,917)
3. Alf Redford—pull average 12.5 (Massey Harris Model 44.4, HP 38, weight 4,500)
4. Rod Carter—pull average 17.5 (John Deere Model G 1950, HP 34, weight 5,600)
5. Delbert Redford—pull average 14 (Massey Harris Model 44.6, HP 38, weight 4,500)
6. Phil Friesen—pull average 13 (John Deere Model D 1937, HP 37, weight 4,917)
7. Len Stafford—pull average 8.5 (John Deere 1952, HP 34, weight 4,800)
Lawn mowers
Stan Olson (John Deere 1971)
Scott Stafford (Minneapolis Moline)
Randy Both (driver)
James Steiner (owner, Steiner 2007)
Luke & Lane Sargeant (drivers Gator)
All the winners were allowed to choose from a wide array of prizes which were provided by the committee.
During the lunch break, there were traditional bag lunches for sale. They included ham or beef sandwiches, cut-up vegetables, and some delicious cookies.
Most people visited, or sat around and listened to the music provided by some local musicians. They played for most of the day, with various members dropping in or out as their personal schedules permitted.
The remainder of the afternoon was occupied with some traditional heritage activities, including a watermelon-eating contest for young and old alike (the slightly older members among those in attendance had as much fun, if not more, than the youngsters).
There were prizes for all who took part and, of course, the best prize of all was the leftover watermelon.
The children also were invited to take part in a money and candy hunt in a small pile of hay. They had a great time hunting for the loonies, toonies, and candy that had been hidden by Steve Both.
The highlight of the afternoon, for those who had never visited the farm, was a tour of the family’s original farmhouse. Steve and Joan Both painstakingly have refurbished the home to its original state.
It was like stepping back in time to see the kitchen and sitting room as it would have been when the family first lived there.
And so, another Chapple Heritage Days celebration slowly came to an end, with everyone eagerly looking forward to next year’s gathering.
“Everyone should thank Steve and Joan for their hours of hard work,” said Oltsher. “The committee really appreciates the effort that they put into this yearly event.”
“It is a lot of work,” admitted Joan Both. “But when we see how much people enjoy the day, it is well worth it.”
The Both farm is such a perfect location for celebrating the past. The park-like atmosphere, as well as the farmhouse and the other heritage buildings, are a local resource that should be shared with the entire district.
So next summer, watch for posters announcing the 11th-annual Chapple Heritage Days.
