Dawson Trail Dispatch
Celebrating Over 25 Years of Service to Our Communities!
Cyclists Ride Through History in First-Ever Dawson Trek Event
Starting at dawn at the Dawson Trail Terminus marker on Provencher Boulevard, five pelotons made their way along Canada’s oldest trail through Prairie Grove, the Centre of Canada marker, Ste. Anne, Richer, and finally to the Eastman ATV staging area. Submitted photos
By Dan Guetre The inaugural Dawson Trek cycling event was hailed a major success, as dozens of riders pedaled through 96 kilometres of history on July 19, despite smoky conditions in the forecast. Starting at dawn at the Dawson Trail Terminus marker on Provencher Boulevard, participants were treated to cinnamon buns, bannock and jam, coffee, and other energy-fueling snacks courtesy of Tall Grass Prairie Bakery and a dedicated team of volunteers. From there, five pelotons departed at 7 am, making their way along Canada’s oldest trail through
Prairie Grove, the Centre of Canada marker, Ste. Anne, Richer, and finally to the Eastman ATV staging area. “The smoothness of this event is 100% because of the volunteers,” said event organizer Kyle Waczko, who also participated in the ride. “From friends and family to people trying out volunteering for the first time — they made this event possible.” Each checkpoint along the trail featured enthusiastic volunteers offering different snacks and hydration, including a memorable stop where riders were greeted with pickle juice shooters. Safety Continued on Page 3...
August 2025
Ritchot’s Sweetest Lemonade Stand Contest Returns for a Third Year Get ready for a splash of summer fun as the third annual Ritchot’s Sweetest Lemonade Stand Contest returns this August, inviting young entrepreneurs from across the municipality to set up shop and compete for cash prizes and community recognition. Held over two days—August 21 in St. Adolphe and Ste. Agathe, and August 22 in Ile des Chenes and Grande Pointe—the contest runs from 1 to 4 p.m. in each community. Budding business minds aged 17 and under are encouraged to participate by building their own lemonade stands and presenting their best recipes, customer service, and creative flair. With just an $80 startup investment, participants will have the opportunity to dive into the basics of small business, from marketing and pricing to booth design and hospitality. Contestants will be judged on two key areas: - Business basics (10 points): Booth design, customer service, and product offerings - Lemonade (10 points): Colour, taste, and price According to organizers, Ritchot’s Sweetest Lemonade Stand Contest is more than just fun—it’s a chance to foster entrepreneurial spirit in our youth, help them develop confidence, and bring communities together through a shared summer tradition. Prizes include $200 for the top lemonade stand in each community, with an additional $300 awarded to the overall winner, bringing their total winnings to $500. The overall winner will be selected from among the four community champions and will be announced during the Homegrown Harmonies event in St. Adolphe on September 12. Voting will start on August 21 at 1 pm and continue until August 23 at 6 pm. The contest is proudly sponsored by the RM of Ritchot and Community Futures Triple R. Registration is open until August 15, and space is limited. Interested participants can sign up at ritchot. com/p/ritchot-s-sweetest-lemonade-stand. Whether you’re mixing lemons or casting votes, this sweet summer tradition is not to be missed.