Saskatoon Berries Shine in Splendour of Mortlach
By Nathan Liewicki
On the first Saturday in July, in the village of Mortlach, the tantalizing smell of saskatoon berries floats through the air.
The Mortlach Saskatoonberry Festival began because nearby communities had their own cherry and blueberry festivals. The village wanted its own unique festival, and so the Saskatoonberry Festival was born.
For the past three years, it has attracted thousands of berry lovers eager to enjoy saskatoon berry pie, saskatoon berry-flavoured ice cream, and even saskatoon smokies. Most of the people who have attended the festival live a short drive from Mortlach, but it has drawn visitors from across Canada, and overseas.
“The first year we had people from Europe, and this year we had more people from Europe,” said Marsha Wiman, Mortlach Community Development and Agricultural Society (MCDAS) secretary.
The first annual festival in 2008 attracted roughly 2,500 visitors, and was followed by 3,000 a year later. This past July, approximately 4,000 wide-eyed festival-goers paid the $5 admission fee and enjoyed the festivities.
The admission money has been put toward town projects, including a new roof for the community hall.
As a result of more people attending the festival each year, Clayton and Lois Jack, owners of HollyHock Market Natural Foods, brought in more local products to be sold during the festival. And their decision to bring in a host of new products has paid dividends.
“In 2009, when we started up our store, we just basically had ice cream and seafood ... Now we have pretty much everything in stock, including bison, elk, jams, and jellies.
“This year I think we sold 180 of those saskatoon smokies. It was a busy day and the best day we have had by far,” explained Clayton Jack.
The saskatoon berry theme is not, however, the only thing that attracts nearby visitors and tourists.
At 8 a.m., the festival kicks off with a pancake breakfast (topped with loads of scrumptious saskatoon berries), and is later followed by a parade and an array of musical and theatrical entertainment.
Dale Domeji, MCDAS chairman, is responsible for arranging the entertainment at the festival. He noted that showcasing local talent is an important aspect of the festival.
“I look for budding artists, groups that are not nationally or internationally known. I’m looking for the smaller bands and we give them a showcase to play.”
A $5,000 grant from the Saskatchewan Arts Board in 2010 helped MCDAS pay for the entertainment provided at the festival.
When asked if he is optimistic that a larger grant will be given to MCDAS in 2011, Domeji said that more money would be nice, but that he would be happy with $5,000.
Penny Cumming, a Mortlach resident for the past 23 years is the festival’s parade marshal. She feels a strong sense of pride in organizing a parade that brings attention to her hometown.
“A really important part of the parade is it’s always led by the RCMP and the Royal Canadian Legion. Also, a lot of children really enjoy a parade,” said Cumming.
Another member of MCDAS, treasurer Rhonda Hawkaas, looks at the exposure the village has received from the festival’s success.
“The vendor idea has really grown. I think the first year we had maybe 20 vendors, whereas this past year we had 60,” remarked Hawkaas with a wide smile.
The tremendous success achieved by the festival has led to the discussion of its expansion to a two day bonanza. Hawkaas, however, thinks it’s not yet possible to embrace the idea of a two-day festival.
“We don’t have enough volunteers in our community to make that idea sustainable at this point. There’s activities that you could do to make it a two-day event, but not just yet,” explained Hawkaas.
Whether or not the festival becomes a two-day affair, it will continue to attract thousands of people for an extra special day of family fun.
Mortlach residents are proud of the annual spotlight that the festival shines on their town. With news that Keeler-based Prairie Berries received $250,000 worth of services from Dragons Den’s Arlene Dickinson, there is great optimism in Mortlach that their festival will receive an economic boost as a result of Prairie Berries’ new worth.
“Prairie Berries are a big sponsor for us, and we help sell their pies. We are eager to partner with them again,” said Domeji.
If you plan on making your way to Mortlach on July 3, 2011 for its Fourth Annual Saskatoonberry Festival, arrive early because you will want to be one of anticipated 5,000 people with purple teeth.
Video: Berry Festival
Saskatoon Berry Pie Recipe
Filling
5 cups of saskatoon berries
3/4 cup – 1 cup of sugar
2 tbsp of instant tapioca
1/4 tbsp of butter, quartered and dolloped on the berries
Crust
1 cup of whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup of unbleached white flour
1 1/2 tbsp of organic cane sugar
2 tsp salt
1 cup of soft butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
Combine ingredients for the filling together in a bowl and set aside.
Mix dry ingredients for the crust in a bowl. Using a pastry cutter, or two knives, cut in the butter, and keep working the mixture. Crumbly, pea-sized bits will appear. Important: avoid handling the dough with your
hands. You want it to be flaky, not hard.
In a measuring cup, mix the egg and vanilla extract with enough cold water to make half a cup. Pour over the dry crust mixture. Do not knead it. Mix enough to form 2 equal sized firm balls. Wrap each ball in plastic and chill before rolling them out (60 minutes recommended).
To create the pie roll the first ball out to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Carefully push the dough into the sides of the pie dish and around the edges. Spread the berry filling evenly into the pie dish. Roll out the second ball of dough and place it on top of the filling. Pinch the edges together to seal the pie.
Make a few vent holes in the top. Brush with milk (1-2 tbsp) and sprinkle sugar to make it glimmer.
Bake at 375 F for 50-60 minutes or until slightly browned and the berries bubble through.
