Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Alex Runions performs a solo

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Children line up to play on the Adrenaline Rush Bouncy-ride

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Chung Wah Kung Fu perform a lion/dragon dance during the Chinese Cultural Evening at the Kipling Community Center

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Molly Vert gets her face painted at the children’s carnival area

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Local and visiting consultants and representatives showcased their products in the Kipling Community Center

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

The Red Paper Clip Parade had a great turnout with numerous colorful entries

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

The Credit Union Mascot joins the parade to celebrate the 60th anniversary for Credit Union

Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Performers from Chung Wah Kung Fu display the art of Tai Chi

By: Darcie Thom

Festivities for the Third Annual Red Paper Clip began with an Asian-inspired evening of Chinese Cultural food, displays, merchandise and events that brought hundreds of Kipling locals and visitors to the Kipling Community Center on Friday, August 29th.

A mouthwatering Chinese supper/buffet was prepared and catered to the Community Center’s audience by NG’s Café. The bar provided a taste of Chinese culture by serving Saki Rice Wine and Chinese beer. Many of the people commented that the Saki was more potent, and strong, than what they thought it would be, but still enjoyed sampling the new tastes. Saki contains 14-18 percent alcohol and is available in both dry and sweet types, however, it can be served warm as well.

Entertainment was provided by a group of disciplined Chinese martial artists from Chung Wah Kung Fu, a martial arts school. They performed in a number of events throughout the evening starting with the Lion Dance, a talent which takes great skill. During the Lion Dance, the performers must express the spirit of the dance through eight emotions including joy, anger, sadness, fear, doubt, happiness, excitement and calmness. Without the proper training in the martial arts, an individual would have difficulties performing the act with the appropriate flare and energy.

Two of the performers graced the audience with a performance of Tai Chi Chuan, a deceiving skill and talent that looks easy and tame but is actually very difficult. Tai Chi, also considered the Supreme Ultimate Force, is the concept of Chinese martial arts that is closely related to the idea of ying-yang. In Chinese culture, there is a notion that one can see a dynamic dually (male/female, dark/light, active/passive, ying-yang). Tai Chi is also used as an ailment for health problems and is more commonly known in the west for meditation and yoga because the art is slow and graceful with smooth transitions between forms (sets). A person who practices Tai Chi is believed to meet enhanced health and vitality.

Performances with weapons, including the staff, fan and broadsword took place during the evening events. Young audience members had the opportunity to perform with the visiting performers on the stage, it was most definitely the funniest part of the whole evening! The audience was treated to a performance by some of our very own local talent who played the drums in sequence to the instructor, which also made for an eventful half hour!

Saturday morning, people gathered on the streets of Kipling to watch the Kipling Parade. There were a lot of participants this year, including the credit union mascot and a joker/clown character who mingled with the crowd. Plenty of candy was thrown to the crowds allowing children to walk away with bag loads of candy. Comments were made during the parade in regards to the efforts made by the participants and the many hours that the people put into their float creations.

A town-wide garage sale took place throughout the day on Saturday, which seemed to attract a lot of people and got the locals and visitors trekking around town.

A KFC supper was provided at the Community Center during the lunch hour and was sold out of food within the first half hour.

The Home Based Business Expo and Trade Fair was held inside the Community Center with home-based businesses from the area and around Saskatchewan who displayed their items for the festival attendees to sample, purchase and order.

Unfortunately, there was no Slow Pitch Tournament at this year’s celebrations, however, next year will make for another attempt.

The Museum hosted a BBQ and remained open to the public for most of the day.

The Parkland Bible Church hosted events for some of the younger crowd including carnival games, a rest stop area, a movie, activities and games for children.

Children had a lot of options for fun with the Dino Bouncers, face painting, nail art, Laser Tag and carnival games. Many kids were seen with their blue-stained tongues, a result of blue snow-cones and cotton candy!

The fireworks show amazed the on-lookers. Bright oranges, purple and of course green lit the black sky. People cheered and honked in applause for the efforts made to make such a colorful event.

The Cabaret wasn’t as full as previous years, but was well attended. Alex Runions and his band played throughout the night, and included a couple of solos by the band’s lead singer, Alex. From the sounds of it, people attended the event until the early hours of the morning, but reported having a great time, enjoyed the music and of course indulged in the beverages.

Sunday turned out to be a bit wet and damp throughout the day. The morning Church Service and lunch was held at the Community Center, which a large a group of people attending.

Most of the people that attended the Church Service also attended the Credit Union’s 60th Anniversary celebrations that were held at the Community Center in the afternoon. Games and prizes were provided for children along with entertainment for the visitors. A BBQ was held indoors due to the wet weather, but fun was seemingly had by all who attended.