In Pictures: the last days of Spirit Festival 2014
By David F. Rooney
Spirit Fest 2014 rolled to a close with sell-out crowds for two of the biggest events — the Fab Foreever Beatles tribute and Aeriosa’ modern dance — and a slightly risqué evening at the Last Drop for the Top Bloke Contest.
The Last Drop hosted their annual Top Bloke contest as part of the Spirit Fest activities around town. Unfortunately, there weren’t enough men signed up and the contest was almost cancelled. Fortunately, Emma Kirkland, Owner of the Powder Springs Inn, was able to round up 12 acts by unsuspecting men, with the help of the audience.
Here are some photos from the Top Bloke Contest and some of the other events held during the community’s all-things winter festival:
First up was Clancy Boettger, the oldest-ever Top Bloke contestant at 85-yrs young, who demonstrated his strong duck-hunting-while pooping-in-the-woods skills. Jason Portras photoWith the body of a young, possibly pre-pubescent Adonis, Craig Ellis showed his hula hoop skills and rapped. Top marks for effort, but he was certainly no Lindsay Randall! (winner of Top Chick 2014) Jason Portras photoKurt Mohr donned a snowsuit outfit any cowboy would be proud to wear (cough, cough), and handed out chocolate to women in the audience. Jason Portras photoChris Robakq juggled his lemons, and threatened to do so while taking a shot, but that never panned out. Jason Portras photoSpencer Tapanainen performed his first ever stand-up comedy routine. Jason Portras photoMark Campbell got the place rocking with his rousing rendition of Steppenwolf’s ‘The Pusher’. Jason Portras photoDon’t try this at home! Greg Aneran dons a condom in a very non-traditional fashion, on the wrong head. He then proceeded to blow it off. Jason Portras photoJames Bishop got up to share his risqué brand of humour, the first of which began “What do two tampons say to each other?” Jason Portras photoDarin Loseth & Terrance Storaschuk became strippers for the night, to the delight of the crowd. Jason Portras photoTop Chick contestant and The Last Drop waitress, Justine Ellis, came out to cheer Chris on. Jason Portras photoChris (sorry buddy, didn’t catch your last name) got the audience up and rocking once again. Jason Portras photoMC Jean-Marc Laflemme and contestant Tyson point out to the audience, warning them that something which cannot be unseen is about to be seen. Are you ready?! Jason Portras photoYes, folks, that’s right … Tyson’s talent was clenching his butt cheeks. Thank god there were no cans offered to be crushed or coins to be picked up! Jason Portras photoThe last performer was Chris Yaholkoskis, member of the band bluessmyth (yes, that’s all lower case folks), who got the ladies up and dancing with his awesome vocals and harp playing. According to some of the ladies on hand, his physique was very appreciated as well. However, in the end, it was decided it would be unfair to have him compete for Top Bloke, since he is a professional musician. Jason Portras photoAnd the winner was … Mark Cambell! Along with the trophy and his name in lights, he also won a free day of heliskiing, thanks to one of the sponsors, Eagle Pass Heliskiing. Jason Portras photoSecond Place went to the two strippers, Darin and Terrance. Jason Portras photoAnd the final award, the People’s Choice was a tie between Greg & Tyson. The only contestant missing was Tyson. Jason Portras photoHighly focused ice carver Kegan Podolas chips away at his piece de resistance a metre-high big horn sheep. The carver, who did his thing in front of The Cabin, attracted an intermittent crowd on a chilly Sunday morning. David F, Rooney photoKrista Cadieux serves up some chili at the Sangha Bean. $5 got you a passport allowing you to taste chili all over town. David F, Rooney photo\A small crowd of dedicated spectators gathered by the Old King Eddy Hotel site to watch dog lovers put their pets through a obstacle course. David F, Rooney photoMondo the retriever looks like he wants to play fetch rather than negotiate the obstacle course. David F, Rooney photoBb Fournier’s pet, Murphy, was also fixated on playing fetch instead of going through the obstacle course. David F, Rooney photo
