DIDSBURY - The Days of Yore historical re-enactment show once again drew large crowds out to Rosebud Park on the east side of Didsbury.
Days of Yore was organized by the Mountain View Arts Society (MVAS) and took place on the weekend of Aug. 5 and 6.
The show featured nine different groups from a number of historical eras from the 800s right up to the Second World War.
Kathleen Windsor, chair of the MVAS, said the event once again proved very popular.
"It was absolutely phenomenal," said Windsor. "The people came in and all had so much fun. Some people stayed in the campground overnight Saturday so they could come back Sunday. It was unbelievable."
The festival saw 965 people come through the door Saturday and 930 on Sunday with 76 per cent of those coming from out of town.
One of the major highlights of the weekend was a battlefield re-enactment by the World War II re-enactors the First Special Service Force.
"On Sunday, the First Special Service Force had changed the location of their battlefield and went into the tall grass," said Windsor.
"So the public came into the actual battlefield and were able to watch the tank and the Germans fight the Canadians right through the tall grass. You could tell the entire story of how it was happening, how they led their forces forward. That was incredible to see."
Some of the other favourites were the always popular Sons of Fenrir Vikings and the Dragons Own Medieval Combat Group.
"I worked the gate quite a bit and most people who I asked what their favourite part is said the Vikings, or it was the tank, or it was that the knights of King Arthur's time put the kids in the chain mail regalia. The kids found out how heavy it was and how hot it was," she said.
"I think the First Special Service Force going through the trenches was an absolute highlight."
Windsor said everyone she talked to wanted to come back next year. In addition, she was given four business cards from other groups wanting to come next year.
"The (MVAS) group will have to decide who comes next year," she said. "We have to be smart about our growth."
Windsor said the two new groups this year, the Edmonton House Brigade and the 10th Battalion Commemorative Association, were very well received.
"The Edmonton House Brigade had no idea what they were coming to," she said. "They said it was the most well organized event they've ever attended. They loved being able to show the guns. They had so many people asking about the fur trade and the Metis that they were almost overwhelmed. It was very cool."
Windsor said the 10th Battalion was a big hit as well, as they commemorated the forces who fought in the First World War.
"They did singalongs such as Pack up your Troubles in your Old Kit Bag and people sang along," she said. "It was great fun. These guys are 85 years old and they were shimmying on their tummies showing how soldiers did it in the trenches. Everybody loved it, absolutely loved it."
"The people came in and all had so much fun. Some people stayed in the campground overnight Saturday so they could come back Sunday. It was unbelievable."Kathleen Windsor
