Elaborate clothing from hide and bead work was part of the festival. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

King and Queen Trapper

Lac La Ronge Winter Festival crowns King and Queen Trappers

Mar 11, 2019 | 12:01 PM

Ten days of Lac La Ronge Winter Festival events are finished for another year and the King and Queen Trappers are crowned.

The festival began March 1 at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, which was the location for most of the events. It was the place to be for the last day of festivities March 10, where hundreds of people gathered for the final King and Queen Trapper skill challenges, as well as the Eighth Annual Jimmy Roberts Memorial Hockey Tournament. In the end, Richard Charles was crowned king with 47 points and Clarissa Burns became queen with 39 points, marking her fourth win in a row.

“It was more of a challenge compared to last year,” she said. “The points were more spread out. The girls are getting better every time I come back.”

Burns defeated six other women for the title including Sylvia McKenzie who finished with 34 points and Leah McLeod with 31. On the men’s side of the competition, Norman McKenzie won second place with 35 points and Derwin McKenzie took third with 34. All participants earned points according to how they placed in 11 separate challenges held over two days such as snowshoe racing, axe throwing, log sawing, bannock making, trap setting, animal calling and more.

JPII Renos

'Plywood Palace' no longer: JP II reopens with Moe and Cockrill

15h ago

Fitness

P.A. bodybuilder punches ticket to Nationals

15h ago

Facing more charges

Suspect in RM of Spalding armed robbery wanted for similar crime in Yorkton

15h ago

It was also the first year the festival held Junior King and Queen events, which were won by Tyree Cook of La Ronge and Sienna Danielson from Prince Albert. Danielson is the daughter of Burns, who stated they have been practicing together at least once every two or three weeks.

“On a free week day or week night, I’ll just go out with the kids,” she said. “I’m glad La Ronge is keeping this event alive and adding the juniors in. I hope more people come out and try it out. You never know what you’re good at until you come and try it.”

Junior contestants were also part of the pageant. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

Charles, who placed second in the competition in 2018 to Norman McKenzie, said it felt good to be this year’s winner. He said it was tough being up against some of his fellow participants, but noted the events went well for him and he made only a few mistakes. Charles also encourages other people to sign up for the trapper events, adding there are many cash prizes up for grabs.

“It keeps me healthy and it keeps me going,” Charles said. “I was doing this when I was a kid [and] I’m getting older.”

–

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno