The Love It of Leave It ranch held an event on July 23 in memory of Claire Wilson, who passed away in 2015. Granddaughter and ranch owner Jen Kennedy considers her grandmother a matriarch to the town of Fernie.
“She was the most beautiful, strongest, classiest woman I knew and have the privilege of calling her my late grandmother,” she said.
Another reason for the event was to bring more attention to the equine community in Fernie and the surrounding area. The event drew people from outside of the equine community as well, including volunteer groups.
“I would like to thank the Lions Club and the Hospice for all of their help,” she said. “Between both clubs and our own we had 16 people that volunteered.”
A highlight of the event was the Lethbridge based band, the Chevelles.
“They are one of my favourite bands as they played for our wedding and my engagement party so I was optimistic in getting them. They are booked a year in advance but we were lucky that they squeezed us in a few months ago,” Kennedy said. “We chose this band because they play an array of music and every time I have had the pleasure of seeing them, my grandmother, Claire, was my sidekick in action. We would be the first ones there and the last ones to go home. She loved to dance, and boy could she dance.”
Kennedy is already thinking about next year’s event, so far the only thing she would change is to tell people to bring their friends.
“There was all kinds of people that helped make this event a successful turnout from family, friends, clinic participants and people from our community. Ages ranged across the board,” she said. “We will definitely do it again next year.”