Two horses out of Logan Gorst’s barn share a calm moment together on Tuesday. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
If you’re a part of the coveted world of chuckwagon racing, this is your most anticipated week of the summer.
It’s Wagon Week in Lloydminster, made official by Mayor Gerald Aalbers with a proclamation on Tuesday night prior to dinner at the Women of the Wagons Denim & Diamonds Gala.
With Wagon Week comes a whole wack of fun for the whole family as the New Lloydminster Nissan Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association (CPCA) Finals take over the Lloydminster Exhibition Association for five days of racing at Halstead Downs.
Barn hands and family members from Glen Myette’s outfit try to beat the heat on Tuesday afternoon prior to the kickoff of the New Lloydminster Nissan CPCA Finals. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
The action kicks off tonight with the first heat of racing starting at 6:30 p.m. Races are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. until Saturday, with the finals taking place at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Drivers and outriders have been battling for position all season, and going into Wednesday’s opening night, the top-10 drivers were as follows: Jamie Laboucane, Logan Gorst, Preston Faithful, Todd Baptiste, Luke Tournier, Danny Ringette, DJ King, Dallas Dyck, Devin Mitsuing and Brad McMann. Those top-10 drivers are going to have to race clean and avoid penalties as there’s only 271.5 points separating them.
The outriders also have their work cut out for them this week.
The top-10 outriders going into the finals are Logan Pethick, Tyler McKenzie, Wyatt Dyck, Quaid Tournier, Tiegan Larouche, Kale Lajeunesse, Basil Mosquito, Quinn Langevin, Buddy Gran and Ryan Martin.
The cost of admission to the races is $20 per person, per day, and children under 12 get in for free.
Another can’t-miss event during Wagon Week is Saturday night’s annual Chuckwagon Cabaret. Billy Dean will be headlining with special guests, Rivertown Saints.
Tickets can be purchased at the Lloyd Ex office and are $45 in advance or $55 at the door.
Sunday’s finals will also feature the Lloyd Ex’s 1st annual Corgi Race through a partnership with Pet Planet Lloydminster.
The Corgi race will be taking place right after the final heat on Sunday.
There will also be free pancake breakfasts taking place on Saturday from 7-10 a.m. at the New Lloydminster Nissan with Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as Sunday from 7-10 a.m. at the Lloyd Ex.
