The 21st annual Midale Farmers and Friends Open Bonspiel will be held March 1st to 5th at the Midale Curling Club.

"We start up Wednesday, and teams would have a choice between curling once Wednesday or Thursday for a start, and then we run through Friday night, Saturday, and finals on Sunday if you make it into that category," said Brad Eggum, one of the organizers."

He said they'll have a wing night on Friday night at 7:00 p.m., at no additional cost for curlers.

The event is open to everyone, with a 24 Rink limit. The entry fee is $240 per rink, which includes four banquet tickets and four drink tickets. 

A banquet and dance will be held Saturday night at 6:00 p.m., with the dance beginning at 9:00 p.m., featuring music by Moody Hollow. The dance is free and open to the public.

"There's $5,000 plus in cash and prizes being awarded through the bonspiel," noted Eggum. "We have also Saturday the $1,000 draw to the button contest. We do have a silent auction that goes on through the event."

He said since it's a fundraiser, in lieu of a Dutch auction, they'll do a ping pong ball drop. 

"You buy balls for $20 apiece, and then we drop those out onto the middle of the ice at about midnight Saturday night, and correspondingly the balls will pick the prizes that are on the ice for the winners."

The local grad '23 class and their parents will also be helping out on Saturday night.

"If they want a safe ride home and avoid driving after a few drinks then we provide that benefit and it helps the graduating class as well," he noted.

Eggum said their committee is confident they'll fill all 24 rinks before too long, but anyone who wants to sign up can contact them as sometimes there are changes made prior to the draw being finalized.
 
"We have a lot of fun at this bonspiel. There's a lot going on, and it has become an annual event that's quite looked forward to in the community and from some of our surrounding communities. We have teams that come back on an annual or semi-annual basis."

He said the event is a success for them year after year.

"We do ask sponsors in our community to come forward and support the event and the sponsorship that we receive is fantastic," he shared. "I always encourage those who attend the bonspiel to really take a look at that list of sponsors and understand who is supporting these events in our communities."

He said these sponsors are "so important in keeping these facilities open and in our communities."

"The volunteers selflessly dedicate to their community to make these things happen," he added, noting their committee is made up of around 12 people, with two original board members, and passing the torch, as it goes, to younger couples to have their go at the helping out as needed.

To enter a team contact Melissa Rasuson at 306-458-7996 or Brad Eggum at 306-861-7048.