Banquet

SATURDAY AUGUST 15 2026

The banquet was held at the Copetown Community Centre.  The hospitality committee, headed by Susie Bell set up a lovely atmosphere.  The tables were draped in green and red, and featured creative centrepieces with duck calls and sprays of native grasses.  

Along the side of the room the silent auction and raffle items were all on display, with bidding beginning and guests starting to drop their tickets for the raffle packages they wanted.  Take a peek here!

The head table comprised of event chair Chris Bayles,  treasurer Pat van Bregt, Chief Marshall Gary Charchalis, event secretary Melanie Towell and our judges Pierre Girard, Ross Campbell, and Steve Bushie were piped in by Mark McClennan.  Chris Bayles acted as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and welcomed all of the participants and guests to the banquet.  Christine came up to say grace and we enjoyed a delicious dinner of pasta, roast beef, chicken parmesan, roast potatoes and greek salad.

Following dinner, Chris took to the microphone to introduce our judges and present them with their judges gift packages.  Then Christine came back up to announce the participating dogs and handlers while Pat and Melanie handed out the bibs and handler bags.  

Then came the moment the room was waiting for--the draw of the starting dog.  Allison Laing brought in her young dog Carver who picked a rubber ducky from a wading pool.  The starting dog for the opening test on Monday will be #30 GMH Nilak's Wiski handled by Pierre Dorais.  Watch the pick here! 

Once the starting dog draw was complete, some additional gifts from National Sponsor Purina were handed out

• oldest participating female--# 35 "Brigit"  GMH NMH B-Lines Touching the Autumn Sky RM SDM WCX

• oldest participarting male: #42 "Rush" Sirmak Rushin' Billy MH

• youngest participating female #17 "Sophie" Bluenorth's Christmas Surprise

• youngest participating male: #33 "Sailor" Nordais Sailor of Goslins MH

• travelled the farthest: #1 "Rogue" GMH Wynwood's International Thrills WCX --from Alberta

• only representative of its breed: #33 "Sailor" Nordais Sailor of Goslins MH

 Then a select number of items from the raffle table were drawn, and people mingled and caught up with old friends before heading out.

Sunday sees the CNMRC Directors Meeting, AGM and the bitch check.

To see live coverage of portions of the banquet, visit the CNMRC Facebook page where livestream video and pictures have been posted.

https://www.facebook.com/CanadianMasterNationalRetrieverClub