Hoof 'N' Holler Days - October Long Weekend
Ste. Rose has always been a small town with big dreams. The creation of Hoof N Holler Days was one of those dreams turned reality.
On August 28th 1979 a letter was written from Kevin Yaworski on behalf of the Department of Agriculture to Mr. Wayne Carter, the Supervisor of the Tourist Branch of the Manitoba Government Department of Travel, requesting funding to assist in hosting a weekend event in Ste. Rose. This letter described the desire for the Village of Ste. Rose to host an annual event to promote Ste. Rose throughout Manitoba and elsewhere. The main goals behind the event were described as:
1) Portray the rancher’s way of life in the past and present.
2) Portray the area and the people in it.
The event, that would grow to be Ste. Rose Hoof ‘N’ Holler as we know it, was planned to premiere coinciding with two special cattle sales. The central committee that was developed to host this event was made up of Gordon Bishop, Guy Johnson, Kevin Yarworski, Ronald Vandenbosch and Bob Sabourin. From a letter written to secure funding assistance, this community event grew and has lasted over 40 years.
The Honorable Jim Downey, Minister of Agriculture was present at the Rancher’s banquet that year and proclaimed Ste. Rose the “Cattle Capital of Manitoba”. This title continues to be a source of pride in our community.
So many events in place since the inception have turned into local traditions. Events may have changed slightly, but they’re still very much enjoyed. The pancake breakfast is an example of this: in 1979 it was a free event, it has since evolved to be a valuable fundraiser for a different community group annually. Arena dances, casino events, horse and wagon rides, bake and craft sales were all in place from the very beginning. In keeping with the Cattle Capital title and promoting beef producers a huge beef BBQ was paired with a dance. Over the years the beef BBQ moved to a Roast Beef Fall Supper event hosted by the Knights of Columbus. In 1982 for example, even though it was noted as a wet and stormy weekend, the steak supper was prepared for 460 people! That same year there was recorded to be 670 people served at the pancake breakfast. Such incredible attendance for our small community.
Main Street Ste. Rose was home to many events. Sidewalk sales were a regular occurrence and were specific to Ste. Rose businesses. Sections of Main Street closed to host events including talent shows, street dances, tail gate parties, bed races, and more. Events hosted on Main Street have become fewer and far between with regulations and rules, but are fondly remembered.
Off of Main Street the fun continues with horse and wagon shows, car shows and show and shines; midways, fiddling and jigging competitions, baby contests, fireworks, parades, (some years with 40 or more entries), pie and bread making competitions, square dancing and other dance ensembles, art shows, tractor pulls, quilt exhibits, smoosh races, wheel barrow races, trolley rides, petting zoos, clowns, balloon sculpting and so much more.
Demonstrations of threshing, sheep shearing, vehicle extrication, and touch a truck events help keep youth engaged with agriculture and our local hometown heroes.
Rodeo events have been a special part of Hoof N Holler whether it’s been a full rodeo, or rodeo events, lots of fun was had including: pig and chicken scrambles, goat tipping, team roping, Manitoba’s only “Little Britches Rodeo”, mutton bustin’, and wild cow milking. In 1988 MTRA introduced Team Roping, and in 1997 had Boyz and Bullz Bull -0- Rama come to our small town featuring the top 20 bull riders across the US and Canada. In 1999 and 2000 the rodeo included half time shows with a trained Brahma bull named Texas Tornado & a trained Longhorn Steer that were ridden in the parade and the Ring of Fire. Rodeo events included: bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding. Bessie Bingo, though not a rodeo event, has also been a great community fundraiser.
Sporting events have included horseshoe competitions, tug of war, volleyball, curling bonspiels, Junior B Hockey games, free skating (with prizes for best dressed cowboys and cowgirls), roller skating, baseball games and 9 hole golf tournaments. In 1990 4-H even joined the fun to host their annual games, having 6 clubs compete against each other.
Another corner stone of the Hoof N Holler festival is our Queen/Cowgirl Competition. Where today we host a Hoof N Holler Queen Competition, in 1979 there was Cowgirl Contest. For a brief time in 1989 the committee called their candidates “Ms. Hoof N Holler”. The committee members, both past and present, and all the community groups that have been represented are incredibly grateful for all the work that these ladies have done to ensure that Hoof N Holler carries on year by year. At just the beginning, Hoof N Holler’s Cabaret started off with a calf auction- where a live calf was auctioned at the dance which was an interesting addition that not many communities can say they’ve had. Because of the love for Hoof N Holler many past Queen Candidates go on to become Hoof N Holler Committee members.
Amazing entertainers have kept Hoof N Holler lively and many have become a staple, some returning many times through their careers. Country, rock, and a little bit of both have rang through our Arena, Ste. Rose Hotel, Community Centre, and the streets. Some popular names that have played more than once include: The D-Drifters, The Sedors, Country Still, Barn Burners, Lisa Yerix and Bad Boy, Stu Clayton, Cindy Cain & The Cheeters, Double Eagle Band, Younger Brothers, The Shivers, The Chris Bigford Band (which in 1994 included some free line dancing instruction), Hawg Wilde, Out of the Woods, Ryan Cowan and Straight Country, Men without Shame, Y-Jimi, Filthy Lucre, Dust Rhinos, and Bad Alibi. Some big name acts like Joey Gregorash, who was the first Manitoba act to win a Juno Award in 1972 & Brian McMillan of TV Fame. Kenny Shields, the lead singer of Streetheart, Foster Martin Band, Steel Horse Ride, and Poverty Plainsmen. Talent shows, open mic nights, and air band competitions have all taken place and been lots of fun. We have amazing local talent in our community! Whether it’s more formally booked or open mic, entertainers like Tornay, Brenda Rogers, Frannie Klien, Kate’s Outlaw, Caleb Rudkavich, Trevor Johnson, Keah MacMillan, just to name a few, have blown us away time and time again. It would be impossible to capture all the great bands, singers, and dj’s that we have come to enjoy, but music is a must if you’re taking in Hoof N Holler.
Maybe not as country, and not as ‘regular’ of events, but some years have had some very unique and interesting things happen. Dean Gunnarson, an escape artist and Illusionist James Grant, along with many other great family entertainers and magicians have joined us and dazzled young and old alike.
With so many events over so many years, we would never be able to capture all the wonderful events. We can however provide a few more highlights about recent years special events.
Canada’s 150th birthday was celebrated in 2017, and Hoof N Holler joined in with a celebrating Canada theme. For the kids, a Wonderland themed tea party was hosted. Ste. Rose Kinsmen Club did a chili cook-off, water pong tournament, and beer gardens featuring “The Neault Siblings”. The Knights of Columbus fall supper included the Asham stompers. A new record was set for ticket selling by that years reigning Hoof N Holler Queen, Lyric Erlendson, who sold 444 books of tickets.
2018 was “Cheers to 40 Years” with all Queen Candidates being over the age of 40 to celebrate 40 consecutive years of Hoof N Holler history. Ticket sale proceeds were changed to give back to the community, instead of running for a community or RM, the candidates were asked to run for a local community group or charity of their choice. A percentage of tickets sales went to the charity they chose, while they still received a percentage of sales as well. An additional $1000 went to the charity that the winning Queen chose. Lyric didn’t get to hold her ticket selling record long as that years Hoof N Holler Queen, Bonnie Shewchuk sold an astounding 862 books of tickets!! Two ladies were crowned in 2018: Mel Letain was named Hoof N Holler Cowgirl, and Bonnie Shewchuk the Hoof N Holler Queen. The parade and Main Street decorating theme was Country Christmas, which was blamed for the windy icy weather. A new logo, designed by local Kylie Stomp of Boomerang 360, was unveiled and a new sign posted at the turn into town. A community competition asking individual households to decorate in the theme was held, and Hoof N Holler donated $5 for each house with Christmas lights on to the Recreation Accessibility Fund. A first ever for Ste. Rose was a Mudbog hosted with Manitoba Dirt Racing Organization.
If we thought the weather was bad in 2018, 2019 sure showed us. A major snow storm took place, roads were closed, and many homes in the area were without power for days on end. The theme was “Haunted Hoof N Holler”, and the committee had hoped to host Boo in Molgat Park, however had to cancel due to weather. It was decided that when life gives you snow, you make snowmen, so a huge snowman building competition was arranged last minute. Many entertainers and programs unfortunately needed to be cancelled due to the closed roads, but Hoof N Holler proceeded with a kids Halloween movie and dance, Seanster & the Monsters kid’s entertainers joined at the Pancake breakfast, the cabaret went on, and a mini parade was hosted Sunday. The remaining candy purchased for the parade was donated to the Ste. Rose RCMP and was handed out by them on Halloween. Because of the cancelled events, the committee decided to donate an additional $5000.00 to various local community groups.
2020, also known as the year we stayed home, was the first year that Hoof N Holler did not host events over October long weekend. The Hoof N Holler committee and Ste. Rose Kinsmen Club recognized their responsibility to the community in keeping everyone safe, and decided it was best to cancel to assist in the on-going efforts. In April of 2020 we hosted an Easter Draw to support local businesses and spread kindness. For Halloween the committee partnered with Dauphin Co-Op and Ste. Rose RCMP and donated bags of candy to be handed out by the RCMP. The RCMP created a ‘jail cell’ to hand the treats out. Hoof N’ Holler wanted the community to know that they are always in our thoughts and plans.
A return to events 2021 wasn’t without challenges, there were still some restrictions and the festival was smaller than past years, but we were just so excited to gather again. With no cabaret the crowning of the queen took place at the pancake breakfast. It was a true “where’s there’s a will there’s a way” type of year.
The years we were waiting for happened in 2022 and 2023. Many events hosted in 2022 had amazing attendance, especially the carnival that included a balloon artist, face painter, and caricature artist for the kiddos and live music with axe throwing for the adults. A mechanical bull came to the cabaret, and set us up to announce that we would be hosting a rodeo in 2023! After a long wait the rodeo was welcomed back, with lots of local entries and fun. The theme for 2023 of “Not Our First Rodeo” was a fun one for the committee who were all hosting their first rodeo. The community came out in full force to support our events and showed just how much this was missed.
One thing we know when we reflect on Hoof N Holler, is that it takes a community to make something great. Whether you’ve been involved as a volunteer, committee member, queen, on another committee, or community member, your support and enthusiasm goes a long way. There is a certain magic and comfort to living in a small town, we hope that when you think of Hoof N Holler you remember those feelings. Be proud of your hometown, it’s a big part of what makes you who you are. We are proud to represent the Cattle Capital of Manitoba.
Emilie Durston - srhoofnhollerdays@outlook.com
