Wednesday, August 18, 2021 Vol. 44, No. 33
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YOUR LOCAL PAPER
Chuck & Chariot Action in Viking
Driver Brent Lang’s horses rear up as they are urged around the barrels and then down the track during Heat 6 of the chuckwagPATRICIA HARCOURT PHOTO on races on Friday night in Viking.
Patricia Harcourt Editor
Chariot and chuckwagon races held last Friday night and Saturday afternoon were well attended with crowds cheering on drivers and horses from stands full of spectators. The event was put on by the Viking Agricultural Society and held at the Cloverlodge Stampede Grounds. Despite the heat, the crowds gathered well before the show and
the beer gardens were also well attended. On Friday night, the races began at 6 p.m. and were followed by a family dance at the Viking Multiplex. Saturday morning a pancake breakfast was held on the Stampede Grounds and hungry patrons paid by donation. The races began in the afternoon at 3 p.m. Both days also saw food services supplied by Food with Flair and CJ’s Lemonade Stand help keep patrons supplied in food and
refreshments. Chuckwagon announcer Terry Cartier provided race by race commentary and kept up the excitement for people in the stands while providing lots of background about the riders and their sponsors. The Mini Chuckwagon races were an endearing interlude between the chariot and chuck activity, with young riders driving their ponies and mini wagons as the crowd clapped in appreciation. Cartier predicted they would
become the chariot and chuckwagon drivers of future years on the popular circuit of adult competition. With the July 1 lifting of pandemic health restrictions, Viking and many other communities have been holding events that have been missed in 2020. The races last weekend were an extra thrill for people who feel they have been cooped up too long without an opportunity to mix and mingle, and enjoy their local entertainment.