By Pam Fedack
What began as a 40th anniversary celebration for Elias Woodwork has grown into something much larger: a now-annual festival that brings people together to celebrate work, life, and community.
The RPM Festival—short for Rhythm, People and Machines—returned this year with the same heart and determination that made its debut such a success.
For Ralph Fehr, president and CEO of Elias Woodwork, the event is as much about building community as it is about entertainment.
“We’re living in an area where industry, manufacturing and other businesses bring so much money into the area that gets distributed between the people who live here,” Fehr said. “It’s a good way of life for us, and we need to celebrate that a little bit.”
That celebration has grown into a shared effort. Local businesses, including Triple E Recreational Vehicles, Load King Industries, Decor Cabinets, Icon Technologies, Impel Transport, and many more, joined forces as sponsors. Their contributions meant admission could remain minimal, with proceeds directed to local charities Youth for Christ Morden and Pembina Counselling Centre.
Pulling the festival together wasn’t easy. Rain drenched the setup crew one day, followed by fierce winds that nearly toppled the stage the next. But volunteers pressed on, drying out banners and securing the grounds.
“Hey, we made it through,” Fehr said with a laugh. “Today’s a pretty nice day, and people have shown up.”
Families flocked to the grounds for the petting zoo, climbing walls and inflatable amusements. Adults even had the chance to try out larger inflatable challenges, while children enjoyed bouncy castles and rides. Across the field, Fehr’s personal passion for tractor and truck restoration was on display, with more than 25 machines lined up for visitors to admire.
For Fehr, what stands out most is the way businesses in the Pembina Valley come together rather than compete.
“You’d think Decor Cabinets and us would be tough rivals and competitors, but we’re not,” he said. “The world is a big place. There are enough sales to be had for both our companies. Out here, we don’t have to cut each other’s throats—because we’re really competing with the rest of North America.”
That cooperative spirit is what fuels RPM. Fehr and his team see the festival not only as a party but as a reflection of the region’s identity — hardworking, resilient, and neighbourly.
While the festival’s roots lie in industry and community, music is an essential part of the atmosphere. Julie C. Myers, Fehr’s wife and a musician herself, helped curate a lineup that blended local favourites with international talent.
“The Quonset Brothers are just local favourites,” Myers said. “They have a great fan base here and bring a good variety to the music venue.”
She also helped bring in “Almost Elton John,” a tribute artist from her hometown of Memphis who is endorsed by Elton John himself. Canadian headliners Petric and Chilliwack rounded out the lineup.
But Myers pointed out that the music was just one piece of the larger celebration. Visitors mingled in the beer gardens highlighting local breweries, browsed food trucks and sampled everything from fish and chips to Filipino skewers—and of course, mini donuts.
In the end, RPM is about more than tractors, food trucks or even music. It’s about what the name itself stands for: Rhythm, People and Machines.
“It really is what defines us—our everyday work,” Fehr said. “We put in our nine-to-five jobs, and that’s the rhythm of life in the Pembina Valley. That’s worth celebrating.”
What stood out wasn’t only the lineup or the machinery on display, but the sense of people pulling in the same direction. That, Fehr said, is the true rhythm of the Pembina Valley.
