For nine decades, Porcupine Plain Sports Days has been a cornerstone of our community, bringing families, friends, and visitors together to celebrate tradition, competition, and camaraderie. What started in 1935 as a fundraiser for the Red Cross Out-Post Hospital has grown into a time-honoured event that continues to draw crowds year after year.
The first Sports Day was held in Dick Cooper’s pasture, raising $96 for the hospital – a significant sum during that time. One of the most memorable highlights of that event was a six-foot Boston cream pie, created by local baker Les Stevenson. Baked in a clay oven, the massive dessert sat on a sheet-metal pie plate and required 72 bananas, 20 gallons of milk, 120 eggs, 2 ½ gallons of whipping cream, and 20 pounds of sugar! A total of 480 slices were served, making it a true community feast!
For many years, Sports Days was organized and operated by the Porcupine Plain Lions Club, who played a vital role in maintaining and expanding the event. The club worked tirelessly to ensure the tradition continued, adding new attractions and keeping the event vibrant for the community. However, as membership declined, the future of Sports Days became uncertain.
In 2007, a small but determined group of volunteers stepped up, recognizing that losing the event would be a huge loss for both the community and tourism in Porcupine Plain. With no budget, but plenty of dedication, they not only kept the event alive but made major improvements to the Sports Grounds. This new committee rebranded the event as Quilly Willy Days, aligning it with the Canada Day long weekend. Over the years, community groups and volunteers have worked together to ensure a full lineup of activities, delicious food, and an exciting atmosphere.
This year, we have put together a collage which captures 90 years of Sports Days memories, from chariot and chuckwagon races to slo-pitch tournaments, kids’ games and rides, and our spectacular fireworks show. This tribute to the countless volunteers, athletes and spectators who have kept this tradition alive for nearly a century will be on display in the quonset during Sports Days on Saturday, July 28th & Sunday, July 29th, along with copies of old newspaper articles from the 60s to the 90s!
We hope you can join us this year to celebrate this milestone, to honour the past, celebrate our present, and look forward to an exciting future!
Here’s to 90 years of community spirit – and many more to come!