By Joel van der Veen

ELBOW — Since last weekend’s Culture Days events in Elbow, two people have agreed to join the Line 19 choir and three more have signed up to learn pickleball.

Not only that, but local musicians, inspired by the camaraderie of the Friday-night singalong, are planning to host monthly jam sessions.

By that measure, Culture Days was a great success, and one that continues to grow.

“This started as a dream,” said organizer Anne Wilson. “It’s just been wonderful. I can hardly talk about it, it chokes me up.”

Elbow was the site of three days of Culture Days events, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1, drawing upwards of 700 people.

The family-friendly weekend is hosted by the Elbow and District Museum and organized by a local committee, with support from various people, organizations and businesses.

Culture Days events are held the same weekend across Saskatchewan and the rest of the country.

“It’s just an opportunity for people all across Canada to get together and celebrate culture,” Wilson said.

Wilson explained that the museum board applied for funding from SaskCulture and Saskatchewan Lotteries the preceding fall to host this year’s events, which are presented free of charge.

As organizer, Wilson said her vision this year was a celebration of Canada on its 150th birthday, with a focus on music.

“Culture isn’t just your roots, it’s a feeling created by like-minded individuals,” explained Wilson. “We’ve got a wonderful community . . . We’re situated in an amazing place with lots to do.”

As such, the events were planned with participation in mind, allowing attendees to play an active role.

Wilson worked with an organizing committee, who in turn enlisted volunteers from throughout the area, including Loreburn, Strongfield, Mistusinne, Central Butte, Hanley and Davidson.

Even with all that help, it adds up to a massive undertaking, said museum board member and choir director Louise Martens.

“We’ll be breathing a sigh of relief when this is over,” she said with a smile on Saturday.

The weekend began Friday afternoon with a kick-off coffee break at the Harbor Golf Club. Guests were also invited to check out the Elbow Trail.

A jam session at the Civic Centre drew 44 people, bringing their singing voices and instruments for a singalong. Hot chocolate and popcorn were served and there was room for the attendees to dance if they chose, as some did.

Guests on Friday included Pat Grayston from Shellbrook, representing the SaskCulture board.

On Saturday, a total of 137 people flocked to the rink for an afternoon of music, heritage and other activities.

A flag-raising ceremony was held, with Const. Mike Neilson of the Elbow RCMP leading the party. Brian Ford served as master of ceremonies.

Mayor Rob Hundeby read a proclamation declaring Culture Days in the village, followed by prayer and acknowledgement by Pastor Doug Lutz.

The Line 19 choir led the singing of “O Canada,” accompanied by pianist Dawn MacTavish and drummer Braden Fast.

Following the anthem, they sang several additional selections, inviting the audience to join them for their final three songs: “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing,” “This Land is Your Land,” and “You Are My Sunshine.”

Sarah Leikam of Strongfield, dressed in traditional garb, performed a brief Ukrainian dance and later invited guests up for a short lesson.

In addition to displays on local and Canadian history, several residents set up tables representing their own heritage.

A Scottish table run by Grace (Cochrane) Dobrowski featured shortbread cookies, as well as a thorough record of her own ancestry dating back to the 13th century.

Cheryl Book and Shirley Knutson were overseeing the Norwegian table, with homemade lefse available to sample.

The Elbow Art Society invited guests to “make their mark” with paint on a community mural, while another station featured crafts and activities for kids. Footage from Elbow’s Canada Day events, shot using a drone camera, was also on display.

Saturday ended with the family dance at the Civic Centre, featuring live music by Leon Ochs, with 105 in attendance.

A performance by the Saskatoon Fiddle Orchestra at the Civic Centre on Sunday afternoon drew 129 people.

The weekend drew to a close with the Elbow Service Club’s fall supper on Sunday night, with roughly 240 in attendance.