WOOD MOUNTAIN & MCCORD NWMP TRAIL EVENTS GREAT SUCCESSES
Posted on July 8th, 2009The first two Celebrate the NWMP Trail events at Wood Mountain (July 1) and McCord (July 4) were great successes. The Wood Mountain festival organized by the Wood Mountain Historical Society drew around 180 people, while the McCord event, staged by the McCord and District Museum attracted around 240 people. Both events featured Ken Mitchell’s “Spirits of the Trail,” historian Garrett Wilson’s “History and the Trail,” “Everett Baker’s Trail” by the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society and First Nations performances led by Errol Kinstino. Saskatchewan country singer/songwriter Tommy-John Ehman provided a concert at Wood Mountain including his new song “The North-West Mounted Police,” written specifically for these festivals. Ragtime Don and the Word Junkie’s history inspired songs and Norm Walker’s quirky tributes to Saskatchewan entertained audiences in McCord. The next festival is set for Eastend on July 11.
Pictures above were taken at Wood Mountain by Ray Bell. They feature the actors and other riders participating in the Ride the Trail aspect that precedes each Festival and leads into the “Spirits of the Trail” performances. Featured in the picture on the left are (l-r) Ken Mitchell, Geordie Grassick, Errol Kinstino and Bob Smoker.