On July 6, the Swan Valley Agricultural Society announced the cancellation of the Northwest Roundup and Exhibition for this year.
This decision was not made lightly. After careful consideration, our Board weighed many factors, including the current State of Emergency, the extensive clean-up and recovery efforts underway, and the need for contractors, emergency responders, volunteers, and community members to remain focused on helping Swan River and the surrounding communities recover.
Lesley Sembaluk, president, and the board also recognized the emotional and mental exhaustion many people have experienced.
Sembaluk and the crew are now looking ahead to the 2027 Northwest Roundup and Exhibition. It's coming back, and as Sembaluk says, it'll be a weekend to remember.
"Next year is actually our 125th year," said Sembaluk. "We're already behind the scenes planning on how to celebrate 125 years in the Valley. Make it one of our biggest and best ones yet."
Then on July 28, Rally for the Valley was born. The one-day event takes place on Saturday at the Swan River Valley Ag Grounds.
It starts with the Chamber of Commerce parade at 10:00 a.m. There's a bingo booth from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. and children's activities and a petting zoo from 1:00 to 8:00.
Beer gardens run from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m.
"We're going to have Ryan Keown. Then we'll have Jessie Genaille and Sweetgrass Revival," said Sembaluk. "Joey Pringle and a great local band called Decade. They're going to play in the grandstand from 4:00 to 10:00 p.m."
The full day of festivities ends with a vibrant fireworks show. The Town is using what they bought for Canada Day.
The Swan Valley Stampeders will also have a food booth. That will feature perogies, cabbage rolls, burgers, hot dogs, and more.
Sembaluk says forgetting what has happened this summer was not the reason to host the event.
"We want to celebrate the people who have pushed through. Celebrate the people who have struggled with the devastation," offered Sembaluk. "We want to celebrate the volunteers. We want to mingle with people, chat, relax, and have a great time."
The Swan Valley Agricultural Society is also looking for volunteers for future events. If you're interested, head here.
