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Pioneer Acres Museum to proceed with 51st Annual Show

Irricana-based Pioneer Acres Museum is priming for its 51st annual show and reunion after last year’s iteration was cancelled for the first time in five decades amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Irricana-based Pioneer Acres Museum is priming for its 51st annual show and reunion after last year’s iteration was cancelled for the first time in five decades amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The three-day celebration, including unique exhibits and demonstrations about western Canada’s heritage, will run from Aug. 6 to 8 with pancake breakfasts, a pioneer market, live entertainment, and more.

According to Pioneer Acres’ annual show chair Lyle Rowe, staff and stakeholders were disappointed to cancel the museum’s largest event last year, but he added most were on board with the government’s leadership regarding the health measures.  

“The most important aspect for the people who have come for several years – or who are members or volunteers – is that we’re going again, we’re up and running,” he said.

Rowe said the decision to proceed with this year’s annual show and reunion was made in light of the Alberta government’s reopening plan going ahead on July 1, when restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings were rescinded along with mask-wearing mandates.

While the decision to proceed with the event was made recently, preparations are well underway, with the museum’s regular programming scheduled for the event.

In previous years, the event has featured a particular manufacturer or theme. But this year, the show will give everything at the museum an equal billing, according to the museum’s website.

GALLERY-LaundryDayAn antique laundry display is pictured at Pioneer Acres Museum on July 24. Photo by Carmen Cundy/Rocky View Weekly

“It’s all about our western Canadian heritage,” Rowe said. “What our roots are... our [ancestors] were the pioneers that set us up for very prosperous, happy and successful lives in western Canada.”

The event is a celebration of the sacrifices and contributions made by previous generations of Canadians, according to Rowe, including a peek into their way of life and their innovations both at home and in the farmer’s field.

He added the upcoming event will be going ahead with its popular steam-powered and horse-powered plowing and thrashing demonstrations.

The Grain Academy – a popular new exhibit at the museum – will also be on display at the event. Rowe said the addition hasn’t been given a proper introduction since it was introduced to the museum from the Calgary Stampede in the fall of 2020.

He said he hopes to encourage people to visit the academy during the show, as it is a special sight to see.

“We’re fortunate to have it,” he said. “My uncle, going back to the 1960s, was one of the guys who helped build the working grain elevator... so it has a personal meaning to me.”

GALLERY-VintageVehiclesPioneer Acres Museum is home to refurbished and refinished vintage vehicles from the early 20th century. Photo by Carmen Cundy/Rocky View Weekly

Pioneer Acres Museum is located just north of Irricana off of Township Road 274. For more information on the museum or its annual celebration, visit pioneeracres.ab.ca

Follow me on Twitter @carmenrcundy  

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