If you’re in the market for peacocks, parrots, fainting goats, or even sheep, guinea pigs and rabbits; you’re in luck.
The Sunset Rangers Multiple 4-H Club is hosting its annual spring small and exotic animal sale and auction at the Aberdeen Equestrian Centre on Saturday, May 13.
“This is our biggest fundraiser of the year,” said Devyn Tomolak, President of the Sunset Rangers 4-H Club. “We’ve done this for the past seven years, and it’s actually a really great event because it’s so entertaining and involves the whole community.”
In addition to exotic fowl, the sale also includes ducks, chickens and turkeys; as well as more commonplace critters like dogs and cats. There’s plenty of livestock equipment designed for small animals on display, including heat lamps, waterers and feeders.
Tomolak said the event attracts in the neighbourhood of 400 to 500 people. This year, they can take in a trade show, chicken poop bingo, sheep-shearing and equine therapy demonstrations and turn the kids loose in the petting zoo. Culinary attractions include a pancake breakfast, full canteen, and burger or pulled pork lunch.
“There’s lots going on,” she said. “It’s educational and entertaining. It gives our members a platform to show what our club does and what we’re all about to potential new members. It also gives our members a chance to practice public speaking and interact with the public.”
Tomolak said the Sunset Rangers 4-H club currently has about 30 members ranging in age from 6 to 17 years of age.
“The club is based in Aberdeen, and it’s open to everyone,” she said. “We have a mix of town and farm kids, and some of our members even live in Saskatoon. In the ten years of our club’s existence, this is the most members we’ve ever had, which is fantastic. “
Tomolak, who’s been involved in the club for 13 years, said each youth picks a project they want to do for the year. Theareas of interest include archery, light horse, outdoor living, poultry and rodeo, as well as self-directed individual projects.
“Each project is split into age categories, and then when it comes to big group events, the members get back together,” she said. “Each age group has different instructions, but everyone is mingling together, which is good, because the older members help the younger ones with their projects.”
The membership fee is only $120 per year per person, said Tomolak.
“That’s very affordable, but it also means we have to do fundraising throughout the year to cover our expenses. This spring sale and auction really helps us keep the individual membership fees as low as possible.”
4-H stands for ‘head, hands, heart and health.’ The 4-H movement began in the United States at the turn of the 20th century; the first similar club in Canada was organized in Roland, Manitoba, in 1913, and the concept quickly swept through the settled agricultural regions of the country.