The rain and mud did little to dampen the spirits of ATV enthusiasts from across the province that attended the 22nd annual St. Jean Derby Sept. 19-20.
“The muddier, the better,” smiled planning committee member Jolene Bird after squelching across the muddied grass.
Participants also seconded these sentiments. Bailey Sabourin, 15, has attended the derby “ever since I was a little girl” and gave this year’s event a 10/10. “The rain made it so much fun.”
Approximately 50 children and youth entered the Friday Night Lights races, racing a partial track before the “big bikes” competed in the full track, spraying muddy water on the spectators as they passed.
Although crowds participating in the derby were smaller than last year, lead organizer Sandra Fillion was content with the 600 ATVs and additional 325 passengers that hit the trails on the Saturday.
“For the first time, we have a prize for the lowest hand,” Bird explained of the check points ATVers visited along the trail, choosing a numbered poker chip at each stop to form a full poker hand.
Crowds gathered in the beer gardens Saturday evening for the drawing of the 50/50, silent auction and door prizes, the winner of the Pembina Valley Twisters quad, and to honour long-time derby organizer Fillion with a plaque.
Committee member Tyler Chartier thanked the crowd and everyone who made the annual event possible.
“Although the weekend still had last-minute challenges, thank you to all that busted their [butts] to put on the event, [especially] the landowners who push crops and harvest early to give us access to the trails through their properties.”
A highlight of the weekend was the latest and only current Canadian 2025 model Can Am Side-by-Side flown in via helicopter by Lake Life Powersports.
