TOMAHAWK PARK: PART I (OF MANY)
Last year, about this time, we received a research request into the origins of the Clayton McLain Memorial Museum. Ultimately, the information we provided will contribute to a research paper on the development of Saskatchewan museums prior to the mid-1970s. The CMMM’s origin story, in and of itself, is interesting but factor in a giant Tomahawk and a rodeo…
Well, many of us don’t really know the history of the World’s Largest Tomahawk or why it’s in our backyard. So, let’s go back to 1969, to a front page article in the Highway 40 Courier.
Cut Knife Goes Western With Wild Rodeo, Front page
There is no way to learn how to hold a rodeo, other than holding one, and that is precisely what this town is planning to do. The rodeo will be held October 21 and 22.
It has set its sights high, at creating one of the top rodeos in western Canada, but that goal is still in the future.
This year, the community will be content to hold an indoor event, attracting amateur cowboys from the province, and letting it grow from there.
The idea hatched out of a discussion of the lack of attractions Cut Knife had for the tourists. Someone suggested a giant tomahawk and while that project is somewhat in the future, a rodeo was suggested for this year.
An association was set up with Ken Sayers as president, and other members being Irwin Blanchette, Jim Wettlaufer, Herman Stang, Gordon Weikle, and Bill Ross, who chair the meetings.
Mr. Sayers and Mr. Blanchette looked into the possibility of holding a rodeo, and the result is the indoor event, this month.
It is being held under the Canadian Amateur Cowboy Association and the stock is being brought in by Vern Franklin, of Marwayne, who supplies the animals for Meadow Lake.
Whereas one of the problems for most communities is to get public support, it hasn’t happened in Cut Knife, where everyone is doing his or her bit for the big show…
Thousands of souvenir “wooden nickels” will be manufactured and redeemed during the days of the rodeo…
Included in the rodeo will be saddle and bareback bronc riding, bull riding, calf roping, steer decorating, ladies’ barrel racing and midget calf riding.
It promises to be a big and exciting rodeo with much to see and do.”
~ from the Highway 40 Courier: Thursday, October 2, 1969 (page 1)
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To be continued…
~ Debbie M.
Clayton McLain Memorial Museum 