ESTEVAN — July brought plenty of summer activities. Community events, championships and a touching tribute to honour the victims of a tragedy were all part of summer in Estevan.
Canada Day was celebrated in communities throughout southeast Saskatchewan, with parades, fireworks, music and more to attract people.
Top young golfers were at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course on July 2 and 3 for the RE/Max Blue Chip Realty Classic, which is Estevan's stop on the Maple Leaf Junior Tour.
Dale Feser announced his resignation as Estevan's fire chief on July 6 after 6 1/2 years on the job. Rick Davies, who had been the deputy chief, was later promoted to chief. Kyle Luc was then promoted from captain to deputy fire chief.
The annual Estevan Rotary 4-H Show and Sale, held July 7 at the Estevan Exhibition Association's grounds, had outstanding support. Casie Brokenshire's grand champion steer was sold for $12 per pound and the average sale price was $5.25 per pound.
Former Estevan resident Parker Bell was selected in the fifth round by the Calgary Flames in the NHL Entry Draft on July 8. Bell was born in Estevan and spent several years playing minor hockey in the Energy City.
Activities were held in Estevan on July 8 and 9 to honour the victims of a plane crash that occurred south of the city in July 1946. People from around the world were in Estevan for the occasion, as family members of the deceased came to the city to learn more about the crash, pay tribute to their family members and meet others affected by the crash. At a ceremony on July 9, a cairn was unveiled to pay tribute to the victims. The crash occurred on Sept. 15, 1946, at the site of the old Estevan Airport. Twenty RCAF pilots and a crew member died.
Another sad anniversary was observed on July 9. It marked 18 years since Courtney Struble vanished. She was 13 years old when she disappeared.
The Estevan Golden Eels Swim Club finished in top spot at their annual home meet July 9 at the Estevan Leisure Centre's pool.
Two teams from the Estevan Girls' Softball Association won provincial championships on July 10. The Estevan Elite U11 and the Southeast Sun Devils U15 club brought home gold medals.
City beautification was a big focal point in Estevan this year, with numerous murals popping up on businesses and decorated benches also showing up. One of the most talked-about murals was on the wall of the Sussex Arms apartment building. Created by local tattoo artist B.J. Ziegler as part of a video project, it depicted his wife on their wedding day. Another mural was later painted there.
Live theatre returned to Estevan on July 12 with the opening night for The Ladies Foursome at the Souris Valley Theatre's Frehlick Hall. It was among the initiatives for the theatre in 2022.
Twenty-three teams were in Estevan to compete in provincial baseball tournaments from July 15-17. Estevan had a team entered in each of the three divisions for U11 A, U11 AA and U15 AA.
A new rescue truck for the Estevan Fire Rescue Service, which has been in the works for a couple of years, arrived in the middle of July and went into service about three weeks later.
More than 1,000 people gathered in downtown Estevan for the Downtown Business Association's Street Dance 2022.
An 18-year-old from Regina was killed on July 19 after the car he was driving collided with a semi-truck outside of Bienfait.
The Estevan Golden Eels Swim finished second in the provincial competition held in Regina on July 25 and 26. Estevan had won the previous five provincial titles.
The South East Performance Pump U18 AAA Twins, who play the bulk of their home games in Estevan, and the Estevan U18 AA Brewers reached the semifinals of their respective tournaments.
The Twins' Carter Beck, who hails from Carnduff, was named the most valuable player and the top hitter for the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League's U18 AAA division.
For the third consecutive year, the Carlyle Cardinals won the Saskota Baseball League's championship. The Cardinals defeated the Oxbow Chiefs 14-4 in five innings to win the Harbourne Memorial Tournament, which was held in Estevan for the first time in many years.
The Saskatchewan Golf Association held its senior men's and women's golf championships, and the mid-masters men's tournament, at the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club in the final weekend of July.
Thousands of fans were treated to two nights of entertainment at the Estevan Motor Speedway, thanks to the Monster Mania monster truck show.
The Souris Valley Antique Association's annual Pioneer Echoes Weekend was held in Midale on July 30 and 31. An antique tractor parade, threshing demonstrations and other attractions were popular.
