Every July for the past 30 years, Ste. Agathe has lit up with two days of lively entertainment geared toward the whole family. This year on July 19–20, the Cheyenne Summer Fest will celebrate three decades since its inception in 1989.
Eric Gagnon, chairperson of the festival’s organizing committee, says that this year’s itinerary will be chock full of the traditional highlights residents and eventgoers have come to know and love, including the Pioneer Games, family baseball, a community supper, a social, and a pancake breakfast.
In commemoration of the 30-year anniversary, permanent signs have been hung along Ste. Agathe’s main street, Pembina Trail.
To emphasize the community’s francophone roots, a variety of Metis and French traditions will make their return. The Pioneer Games are inspired by similar events at the Festival du Voyageur. Competitions will include events such as jambette (leg wrestling) and sciage de pitoune (log-sawing). Nic Messner will once again entertain attendees of the Pioneer Games and the pancake breakfast with some rousing Metis fiddling.
The pancake breakfast has been a long-time staple of the festival. The standout item on the menu is the sucre à crème, a Quebecois recipe made from sugar and cream. At the Cheyenne Fest, it’s served hot and poured over homemade pancakes. Roseline Gagnon, Eric’s aunt, is the hard-working chef behind the decadent treat.
“She’s notorious in town for her sucre à crème,” says Eric Gagnon. “It’s awesome!”
In terms of sporting events, visitors can take in the annual horseshoe tournament or join in on the family baseball.
“I know it’s just a silly baseball tournament, but this is something that people look forward to and get pumped about,” says Gagnon. “Friendly rivalries form. We’ve kept it so far as a family baseball tournament and the one thing I like about that is that it encourages us to get together as families. That’s still a big thing in our town. There’s still a very strong family component. Everyone kind of knows everyone.”
New this year is the Fris-nok tournament. The game is simple, requiring two bottles balanced on two poles and a frisbee. Each team works at knocking the opponents’ bottle from the pole.
While live entertainment has played a role in past festivals, based on community feedback from the past year music for the Hawaiian social and dance party on Saturday night will be provided by local deejay Derek Shelest.
“We always try and promote local talent and local artists,” Gagnon says.
And while all that is going on, the kids will be kept busy with a petting zoo, a slip-n-slide, a jewellery workstation, and bubble soccer.
On Friday night, a parade will proceed up Pembina Trail, followed by an old-fashioned bonfire with campfire songs and s’mores at Cartier Park. The first night will close with a colourful fireworks display at dusk.
Guests can stay hydrated and fed at the beer garden and canteen, available on both days, as well as a Saturday night dinner provided by Lucky Luc’s.
Festival Origins
If you’re a newcomer to Ste. Agathe, you might not be aware of how the Cheyenne Summer Fest came upon its name. It’s a fascinating story that locals love to share.
In the late nineteenth century, a steamboat called the SS Cheyenne made its regular trek up the Red River, sailing past the tiny community of Ste. Agathe, transporting goods and people between Winnipeg and St. Paul, Minnesota.
In 1885, the Cheyenne made its last voyage, beached by a boiler which had exploded when the craft was just off the riverbank near Ste. Agathe. The boiler was thrown overboard and the steamboat was towed to Winnipeg, where it was retired.
Almost 100 years later, in 1981, H. Baudry Construction of Ste. Agathe unearthed the famous boiler from the depths of the dirty river, had it restored in Winnipeg, and returned it to its new home. It now sits on display along Pembina Trail.
Just a few years later, members of the community kicked off the inaugural Cheyenne Fest at the site of the boiler, donning yacht caps.
“It sort of just became a part of the town since then,” Gagnon says. “I make the joke, ‘Not a lot happens here,’ but when something like that does happen, which is this historical moment, we try and remember that.”
A few years ago, the community also began the Ste. Agathe Hockey League, calling their trophy the Boiler Cup.
The Committee
Gagnon is a three-year member of the Cheyenne Summer Fest committee.
“Our committee is super awesome,” Gagnon says. “It’s a really well-run machine… with a dedicated group of committee members.”
Some of the members, he says, have been with the committee since its beginning 30 years ago, but he’s also pleased with the way the younger generation has stepped up to the plate to keep the festival rolling along year after year.
“If you look at our committee, I think half of us now are under 30,” Gagnon says. “That’s something I’ve tried to push for, that the younger generation is coming in… and making sure that we’re doing our part now for our community.”
Gagnon and his committee are also committed to keeping the event affordable. Entry costs just $5 per person for the entire weekend.
“It’s dirt cheap,” says Gagnon. “We see it as a way that this festival can continue. We want to make our festival as accessible and inclusive as possible.”
