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Vol. 21, No. 45, Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Annual Combine Crunch brings more than 1,300 to Lamont Ag Grounds - great turn-out after postponement BY MELISSA MACINTOSH-YOUNG The roar of combine engines, crunching metal and cheering crowds filled the Lamont rodeo grounds Friday as the Webb’s Machinery Combine Crunch finally made its return following a weatherrelated postponement. More than 1,300 spectators attended the event, with participants, volunteers and vendors bringing the total number of people at the grounds even higher. The event was originally planned as part of the Lamont & District Agricultural Society’s Summer Sizzler, but Mother Nature had other plans. The rescheduled event gave the community another opportunity to come together and enjoy an evening of agricultural entertainment. The evening began with the Lamont Farmers’ Market, kids’ activities, food vendors and a Calcutta Auction before the combines entered the arena. Adding another educational and entertaining element to the evening was the Lamont County Emergency Services’ vehicle extraction demonstration. Firefighters demonstrated the equipment and techniques used during emergency vehicle rescues, giving spectators an up-close look at
derway, specwhat haptators were pens when treated to the emergency sights and crews are sounds of called to a semetal crashrious colliing, tires flysion. The ing into the demonstraair and comtion showbine engines cased the rumbling as specialized drivers battools firetled it out. fighters rely For firston to safely year particiaccess vehipant Brandon cles and reTreolar, takm o v e ing part was occupants also a way to following a embrace his crash. new commuFor many nity. “This is in the crowd, Combine Crunch Champion, Jacob Thiessen. it was an opPhoto by Melissa MacIntosh-Young my first year and I married portunity to see the work of local firefighters be- the butcher’s daughter, so decided to yond their traditional emergency re- embrace the Lamont spirit,” Treloar said. sponse role. Treolar purchased his combine The demonstration also highlighted the importance of having from an Edmonton-area farmer who trained emergency crews ready to re- had used it in the field two years earspond when needed—something lier. He grew up in St. Albert and departicularly fitting during an event cided to bring his newly acquired where heavy machinery and vehicles machine into the competition. While this was his first Combine were at the centre of the action. Once the Combine Crunch got un- Crunch, Treolar is already thinking
about returning next year. “I plan on it. I’m thinking about giving the one this year to a friend and buying another for myself,” he said. The competition saw Jacob Thiessen take first place, with Tom Hoculak finishing second. The two local competitors also kept much of the $9,500 prize money in the community. The Agricultural Society described the event as a true family affair, with people coming from across the region to cheer on the combine drivers. Although organizers had hoped to hold the event as originally planned, the rescheduled Combine Crunch proved to be a successful night, bringing friends, families and agricultural enthusiasts together. The celebration continued into the evening with a dance, keeping the grounds busy into the early morning hours. Organizers extended thanks to the event’s sponsors, volunteers, vendors and everyone who came out to support the event. A special thankyou was also given to the Lamont Fire Department, not only for participating in the vehicle extraction demonstration but for remaining ready to respond throughout the event if needed. More Pictures 9
Spectators check out the line up of combines before the event. Photo by Melissa MacIntosh-Young