The Castlegar News recently received copies of two old print editions in the mail from someone cleaning out a grandparent's storage space. They were published July 24 and July 31 of 1975. These papers happened to be the week before and the week after what was then known as Sunflower Fest. The festival looked a little different 50 years ago so we thought our readers would enjoy the look back in time.
After looking at all the excitement from 1975, don't forget to participate in all the Sunfest activities this week.
Hang Gliding
The top attraction at the festival was a hang gliding demonstration by the War Eagle Sky Club of Trail featuring 20 hang gliders from around the region. They launched from the top of Sentinel Mountain to Pass Creek Park. Jim Siddall of Trail smashed his hang glider into a tree and was taken to hospital with a sprained ankle and pulled muscle.
Soap Box Derby
Daivd Terhune's "Silver Streak" won the Soap Box Classic with Laurence Semoyloff coming in second and his brother Perry in third.
Frog contest
The fifth annual Canadian Frog Jumping Competition took place during Sunflower Fest, but the 38 degree temperature sapped the amphibian's energy and the event was less than enthusiastic. However, photographer Pat Donohue took photos of then-alderman and future mayor Audrey Moore encouraging her frog to get moving.
Contestants entered 24 frogs from as far away as Washington State and Alberta. The winning frog, coached by Pat Grant, jumped 104.75 inches. The winner received $2 in prize money. The cutest frog contest was judged by the 1974 Miss K.C. Days (and future MLA and B.C. Finance Minister) Katrine Thor-Larsen. The heaviest frog was presented by Tania Voykin and the smallest frog (the size of a thumb nail) was presented by Steven Jaccard.
Swim meet
The swim meet was won by the home-town Castlegar Aquanauts. Aggregate trophies were awarded by age group with local winners including Heidi Korn, Josef Berger, Leslie Gyurkovits, D.J. Matheson, Geoff Yule and Brenda Klit.
Golf tournament
Ethel Zak took first place in the ladies' division of the golf tournament with Janet Scodallero a close second. Danny Walker won the men's division with Jim Perhudoff in second.
Spin casting competition
Junior competitors were required to cast a bobber 50 feet to an "old rubber tire" and senior competitors had to cast 75 feet. Junior winners were David Terhune, Bill Anderson, Kim Beurdett and Donald Simmons. Senior winners were Gordon Gallo, Jim Swanson, Gordon Danchella and Philip Perras.
Log burling
For the third year in a row, Linda Quadvlieg won the women's log burling competition with Valarie Allen in second. Jim Gillman won the men's competition with Mitchell Quaedvlieg in second. Youth winners included Michael Quaedvlieg, Troy Reid, Bonnie Houlind and Lorrie Salisbury.
Softball tournament
Rex Hotel defeated Trail Machine Works to win the third annual softball tournament and went home with $500 in prize money.
Notable advertising
Castlegar businesses got into the spirit of the festival offering up a number of Sunflower Festival specials.
Carls Drug Mart was offering Kodak Instamatic Cameras. Safeway had 20 pounds of flour for $1.99 and ground beef for $.79 per pound. Super Valu was offering 16 oz. cottage cheese for $.59 and a five pound bag of oranges for $.89. Castlegar Realty listed a three-bedroom home with two-car garage and a "rumpus room" near the hospital for $39,000. Ed's Recreational Sales just got in a shipment of new Boler trailers. Monashee Sporting Equipment offered 10 per cent off on sleeping bags. Macleods was offering eight-track car and boat stereos for one-third off and water skis for half price.
