The 68th annual Innisfail Farmers/Farmerettes Bonspiel is nearly upon us.
Running from Jan. 19 through to Jan. 25, the bonspiel consists of teams made up of at least two active or retired farmers or farmerettes, and a business person/sponsor drawn out of a hat. The team is named after the sponsor.
ìWe have 48 rinks in total,î said bonspiel organizer John Buykes. ìThere are 32 farmers rinks, and 16 farmerette teams. Actually, we run two spiels at once, with the farmers and farmerettes separate.î
Teams for the spiel come from Olds-Didsbury, Delburne, Three Hills, Eckville, Markerville, and Red Deer County. The popular event has curlers aged from the late 20s to the mid 80s.
ìThere is really no age limit for curling,î said Buykes. ìLast year we had one curler who was 85, and this year, we have an 83-year-old man. As long as you can sweep, you can curl.î
Innisfail businesses have consistently supported the bonspiel with donations, both cash and prizes. Prizes range from small gift cards to items worth as much as $400.
ìWe do receive a lot of local donations, and once we do, we try to spend the funds at our donors' stores. This is a local bonspiel and we do our best to keep it that way. Everyone wins something, and instead of having a fixed first-place rink prize, they get first pick off the table. Second goes second and so on,î added Buykes.
ìCurling is a very social game,î she added. ìThat's why we mix our farmers/farmerettes with business people. By picking the business out of a hat, you never know whom you will get to play with, or for. You could be a Ford guy and play for the Chevy dealership. It's all in fun.î
The spiel includes other opportunities to socialize and give back to the community. Teams are auctioned off on Monday night, Jan. 20 to the highest bidder. If the team wins a major prize, the winning bidder receives a portion of the total raised while 30 to 40 per cent of funds raised go to the Innisfail and Area Food Bank.
On Jan. 22, a sponsor appreciation night is held, which is always well attended. The main banquet goes on Jan. 25 and closes off the bonspiel with a dinner/dance awards ceremony.
Organizers said spectators are always welcome.
For more information on curling in Innisfail, citizens can go to http://innisfailcurling.com/ or call the club at 403-227-3079.
