TORQUAY — Hundreds of people were back in Torquay from June 27-29 for the village's centennial celebrations.
Event chairwoman Cindy Daae told Â鶹ÊÓƵ it was an "amazing weekend". While they don't have an exact attendance tally, and tracking the number was difficult with many events being free or not requiring pre-registration, Daae believes the activities attracted more than 800 people.
"We had a lot of positive comments, and a lot of people returned from past years and new people came out. It went very well. It exceeded our expectations," said Daae in an interview with Â鶹ÊÓƵ.
A lot of people returned to the village for the centennial, with some coming from as far away as B.C. and Iowa. Those who returned home were very impressed with the village, she said.
"Torquay really put some effort into cleaning up the community, and getting things ready. The community and the town looked nice," said Daae.
A brand new Torquay sign was added to the junction of Highways 350 and 18, and the Torquay centennial committee put up another sign in the park beneath the two existing signs.
A June 28 supper brought 350 people to the Torquay Community Centre and was the only event that required people to pre-register.
Festivities kicked off with registration pick-up and socializing. Pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs were served at the Torquay 50-and-over Club. People also watched slideshows while enjoying popcorn and refreshments, and donuts and coffee were also be available.
Daae noted a car show on June 28 brought 108 entries, with vehicles coming from Torquay, Estevan, Lampman, Lake Alma, Weyburn, Regina and other communities. The vehicles cruised around the village at the end of the show.
Another highlight from the morning for Daae was the kids' parade in the morning of June 28. Youths went up and down Main Street in anything they could push, pull or ride. Children also enjoyed bouncy castles, a library on location activity, face painting and a junior firefighting challenge, which really impressed Daae.
"It was for six to 12-year-olds, and they had a little … firefighter obstacle course. They had a certain amount of kids that they would take at one time, and basically cycled through different firefighter challenges and timed the kids."
The Torquay fire department barbecue lunch sold out, while a pancake breakfast was served in the morning. The Two Stepp musical duo performed in the afternoon.
Prior to the supper on June 28, there was a program in which a choir performed and Daae read off a history of the community. After supper, Daae said some people went to mass and activities at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, while others attended a concert featuring the Johner Brothers and the Johner Boys that also attracted approximately 500 people.
"They really put on a wonderful performance. The setting of it, it was to the south so … that there were some bins behind our stage," Daae said.
Fireworks occurred between the second and the third sets of the Johner concert.
The final day opened with a service at Trinity Lutheran Church in the village, with music by the Daae Family, the Johnsons and the Crannas. Pastor Ryan Dittman led the service, which Daae said attracted approximately 125 people. Brunch was served afterwards. The Daaes then performed a gospel concert at Jubilee Park.
A slow-pitch tournament June 27 and 28 attracted six teams.
The organizing committee extended thanks to all monetary and silent auction sponsors, equipment providers, and volunteers, saying the event wouldn't have been possible without their support.
