Every year the Lampman Recreation Department takes charge of hosting an event marking the end of harvest, while giving everyone in the community, whether involved with farming or not, something to do. This year the group decided to hold a fall celebration, Croptoberfest.
"Our Rec. Department always tries to do something every year to get the community out," Haley Ingham, Recreation Director explained. "Lots of our farmers are just in the process of finishing up harvest, so it just seemed very fitting to have it."
With a steak dinner, a chance to watch the Rider game, and to enjoy two comedians out of Saskatoon, it was a nice evening of camaraderie.
The Rec. Department raised the money for the projects they are in charge of including the rink, pool, and campground.
"Money raised will help go towards anything that our Rec. Department runs, so not only the rink, and the pool, and the campground; but, also maybe some upgrades," Ingham stated. "We had some flooding issues in the curling rink so we have to replace the carpet, we need new eaves troughs and we're also in the process of basically doubling our campground, just to provide some housing opportunities."
Put together by a smaller committee this year than in the past. With help from the Rec. Department administrator, the assistant administrator of the town, and the school, Ingham was able to organize the night. In addition to these volunteers the Fire Department ran the bar while town councilors and a number of volunteers set up the dinner. Lampman Minor Sports was a huge help in cleaning up for the evening, Audio/Video out of Estevan lent televisions for watching the football game on, while Access Communications set up the cable to operate the T.V.'s
"We did a smaller committee this year, but very committed," Ingham said. "So, basically they were just able to take over what I couldn't do because it's impossible for one person to do."
"Audio Video out of Estevan lent us some TVs for free so we could watch the Rider game, Access Communication came in and set up the cable for us so it's definitely not a small task, you have to have a lot of organizations to help out."
Ingham went on to explain during the event that the community mindedness in Lampman was part of the success of the evening: "The sense of community here is really great. Anytime you ask anyone they're more than happy to help you and already tonight, it's only been a couple hours, and I've already had, 'Is there anything I can do?' 'Here I brought an extra pie.' which is always nice to see."
In addition to the entertainment of the Rider game and laughs from Brent Salt and Brenda Q of Saskatoon, both a silent and live auction were held. MACK Auction hosted the live auction again as they helped last year during the Rec. Department's "Under One Roof" event, which was found to be a major endeavor.
"We were going to do something like that again but it was a big, big thing to run," Ingham said. "We had the curling club minor sports, and everyone involved. And this year, with harvest being so late, we weren't sure if we wanted to take on a big venture like that."
Overall the evening brought forth laughter and fun, though the sea of green attending were disappointed in the Riders play, the Rec. Deparment's Croptoberfest was a great success.
