Cigars and Stetsons feature in a weekend of special events at Hastings
Whisky Smoke has become popular among the cool set looking for Friday night fun, with the evening described as, 'Like no other in Vancouver, combining a tasting event with a night out at the track.' Friday and Saturday's events are hosted by Feaster, the marketing folks behind Cup Day — the biggest day of the year at Hastings in terms of attendance and easily one of the biggest betting days of the season.
'We're excited to elevate the upcoming event to new heights of sophistication by curating a truly enhanced experience for all attendees,' said Adam Bloch, Feaster president. 'By extending the festivities into the late evening, under the Friday night lights, amid the racing action, we're aiming to create an unforgettable evening that'll leave everyone buzzing with excitement.'
While Whisky Smoke is now well established, the Country Club Festival, marketed as 'Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots,' returns for a second year following a positive introduction 12 months ago.
'We're so excited to bring Country Club back to Vancouver,' said Bloch. 'The first year exceeded all expectations, and this time we're going even bigger. We're putting the spotlight on bold tequila cocktails, paired with all the good vibes of a classic country tailgate.'
Special event days at the track work on a variety of levels. They increase the attendance, normally give a small boost to the betting handle and can also help to introduce horse racing to newcomers. It's not all upside, however, with the owners, trainers and regular racing fans banned from watching from the tarmac in front of the grandstand during both events.
Neil Stajkowski, secretary of B.C.'s Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said: 'These special days can help showcase our sport to a wider audience,' he says, 'but, once again, the track operator (Great Canadian Gaming Corp.), which uses horse racing to promote these profitable stand-alone events, refuses to include in any event planning the people actually putting on the show! This has led to owners, trainers, backstretch workers and race fans feeling unwanted at the track they help to finance through their ongoing support of racing.'
Whether they're squinting through cigar haze, or craning necks to see over a forest of Stetsons, fans who know their racing will be particularly excited to see the final three races on Friday, which feature some of the toughest and most loved equine athletes at Hastings. The three contests feature 20 veteran campaigners who, between them, have won 135 races and close to $1.5 million in purses. Those impressive stats underline the dedication and professionalism that goes into ensuring horses receive the level of care required to perform for those in the stands — and that's not blowing smoke.
Friday, Aug. 8:
First post, 7 p.m. Race 3. The veteran of 40 races, Pineapple Tidbits remains among the most consistent performers on the East Van oval. She hasn't missed the board all season and goes for her 12th lifetime win.
Race 4:
Queen of Attitude continues to enthrall fans with her come-from-behind exploits. She'll again be looking to mow down her rivals late as she chases a remarkable 16th career win on what will be her 29th start.
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Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Resilient restaurateur Robert West knows his prime cuts, whether firing up the band or the steakhouse grill
STEAD — Winnipeg radio personality Tyler Carr spent a weekend earlier this summer at Glamping InStead, an off-grid, eco-friendly facility situated 45 minutes north of the city near Stead, the so-called 'sod capital' of Manitoba. Carr, a morning-show host at Energy 106, and his partner Mitch were curious about area attractions. Among the must-sees suggested to them by their host was the Stead Ranch Steak House, a rustic, 60-seat restaurant-and-bar that operates out of a converted barn on Stead Road, close to Provincial Trunk Highway 12. 'The minute we drove up, I was like, 'Mitch, I have to make a video,'' says Carr, who moonlights as a digital creator. 'Everybody likes to overuse the term 'hidden gem' but without a doubt, the steakhouse immediately struck me as a hidden gem in our province.' West purchased the 160-acre property in 2002. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) Well, so much for hidden. Since its release on various social media platforms, Carr's 36-second spot, which shows him and Mitch diving into steak, ribs, onion rings and fries against a backdrop of barn-wood walls adorned with cowboy boots, Stetsons and cattle skulls, has garnered over a million views. Comments have poured in from across the country, the majority being along the lines of 'Need to try!' and 'I think a steak is in my future.' 'It's sometimes hard as a content creator because you're expected to love everything,' says Carr, who also gave the resto's home-baked peach crumble a thumbs-up. 'But the truth of the matter is I wasn't paid to go there, we paid for our own meals and I made a video simply because of how much we enjoyed ourselves. It was just an authentic good time.' 'This is what Montana's (BBQ & Bar) wishes it looked like,' chuckles owner Robert West, settling into an upholstered booth in the Stead Ranch Steak House's saloon area, steps away from a raised stage populated with speakers, microphone stands and a full drum kit. West, whose long grey locks and beard would make members of hirsute Texas trio ZZ Top green with envy, laughs again, commenting, 'How long have you got?' when asked whatever possessed him to open an eating spot/watering hole in, by his own admission, the middle of nowhere? Under the moniker Bob E. Lee West and the Mainstreet Band, Robert West, now 74, toured Western Canada regularly in the 1970s and '80s, performing his brand of country-rock. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) The 74-year-old was born in Saskatoon. He moved to Calgary along with his mother, step-father and three half-siblings at an early age. He wasn't exactly an angel growing up, he states matter-of-factly, a set of circumstances that resulted in him being transferred to a reform school in Innisfail, Alta., 110 kilometres away. 'I got out when I was 16. They drove me to the bus and told me my mother was going to meet me at the other end, only when I got there, she wasn't anywhere to be found,' he goes on. 'I ended up getting a job as a busboy at the Trade Winds Motor Hotel. Later I headed to Vancouver, before hitchhiking to Toronto in, I wanna say, 1967.' During his spell in Innisfail, West taught himself how to play guitar. He was well-versed on the instrument by the time he reached Toronto, which led to opportunities to jam with bands booked at the nightclub where he worked in the kitchen. One of those groups was the Hawks, who achieved global success in 1968 after changing their name to the Band, ahead of the release of their debut album Music From Big Pink. Robert West (bottom) (Supplied) Robert West (right) in the 1980s (Supplied) West eventually became a professional musician himself. Under the banner Bob E. Lee West and the Mainstreet Band, he toured incessantly, delivering his brand of country-rock in bars and clubs across Western Canada and as far north as Alaska. He commonly rubbed shoulders with the likes of Ian Tyson and Prairie Oyster, and his greatest success occurred in 1988 when he won a Catch a Rising Star award for the single This Old Freight Train, recorded at Calgary's Smooth Rock Studios. By the early '90s West was ready for a change. He'd long dreamed of running a bar of his own and after being introduced to the late Ross Kennedy, a Winnipegger who owned multiple hotels during a decades-long career, he and his then-wife Amy went to work for Kennedy. Together they managed the Travelling Inn in Arborg, followed by the Lockport Inn Hotel on Henderson Highway and finally the 44-room Balmoral Hotel on Cumberland Avenue in Winnipeg, which is now the Pimicikamak Wellness Centre. Stead Ranch Steak House is located inside a converted barn near Brokenhead. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) In 2002 West spotted a listing for a 160-acre property in Stead that came with a two-storey, 1,700-square-foot home, as well as a century-old barn that had definitely seen better days. West and then-wife Amy spent nearly two years converting the barn into Stead Ranch Steak House. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) He and Amy spent close to two years converting the weed-infested structure into the Stead Ranch Steak House. The couple operated the steakhouse five days a week from 2004 until 2012, at which point West felt he needed a break. He returned to his original calling of music, a move that ultimately led to recording a full-length album, The Tree, which was nominated for best country CD at the 2015 Indigenous Music Awards ceremony, which was part of the Manito Ahbee Festival. (West, whose great-grandmother was Cree, showed off his deep baritone on the disc's 12 tracks, particularly the lead single A Dangerous Game, about murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls.) A wall of fame with copies of owner Robert West's recordings at Stead Ranch Steak House. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) West, since divorced, announced the restaurant's return in February 2016. 'We want to offer a full night of entertainment,' he told a reporter from the Beausejour Clipper Weekly, noting he intended to add 'performer' to his long list of duties there. 'You start with dinner and drinks and end with dancing to a live band.' That formula proved successful, except the enterprise was forced to shutter once again in the summer of 2019 after West, who was also raising quarter-horses with his new wife Joanne, suffered a debilitating injury while out for a ride with two of his steeds. The steakhouse-bar is currently open three nights a week year-round, from Thursday to Saturday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) 'At the time I had three horses: a little girl, her daddy, a two-eyed jack stallion, and her mom, a two-eyed jack mare,' he explains. 'That day we were going up a ridge in the wagon, the two older ones pulling me along, when we came upon a big buck who'd been in the area for years. 'The horses had seen him before but for whatever reason they shied, and away we went, over the ridge, rolling the wagon.' The buggy's drop pole came down on the male horse's back, killing him instantly. The mare suffered a broken leg, but somehow managed to remove herself from her rig and return to the homestead. Sensing something was obviously amiss, West's wife and employees set out to determine what had happened. 'It turned out I'd broken my neck, and had crushed my legs and pelvis,' West continues. 'I was flown to HSC, then to Toronto, where I stayed in bed for almost a year, pretty much paralyzed.' The 60-seat Stead Ranch Steak House is located north of Winnipeg and is situated in a converted century-old barn on Stead Road, just east of Gull Lake. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) West credits the nearby South Beach Casino for assisting in his rehabilitation. For months after returning home, he was granted access to the resort's indoor swimming pool. Finally, despite a pronounced limp, he reopened the restaurant in 2023 with the assistance of Joanne. While he is no longer involved with the cooking end of things — he has trouble standing for long durations — he stays busy accepting reservations and greeting regulars who make the trek from Winnipeg, Selkirk, Lac du Bonnet and the Grand Beach area. A wall of fame at Stead Ranch Steak House also features copies of owner Robert West's many recordings. The bar-eatery also features a raised stage with PA system and full drum kit to host live music performances. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) Stead Ranch Steak House owner Robert West at the restaurant (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press) 'We also get a lot of Americans in the winter months who come up for the ice fishing,' he adds, mentioning the locale, which is presently open three nights a week year-round, Thursday to Saturday, was utilized in the filming of Road of Iniquity, a 2018 flick produced by Cree actor and former Member of Parliament Tina Keeper. West is also writing and recording again. This month he'll head into the studio to put the finishing touches to his latest project, which will include a Johnny Cash-like ode titled Ten-pound Ball (Hanging off a Two-foot Chain). As for retirement plans, West says if he has his druthers, he won't be going anywhere, any time soon. 'Hey, I'm only 74. I'll have long enough to rest when I'm in the ground, for good.' If you value coverage of Manitoba's arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. David Sanderson Dave Sanderson was born in Regina but please, don't hold that against him. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Vancouver Sun
6 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Cigars and Stetsons feature in a weekend of special events at Hastings
The summer of special events at Hastings Racecourse continues this weekend with 'Whisky Smoke' on Friday night, dedicated to an evening of fine cigars, whiskies, cognacs and beer, while Saturday afternoon features the second annual Country Club Festival. Whisky Smoke has become popular among the cool set looking for Friday night fun, with the evening described as, 'Like no other in Vancouver, combining a tasting event with a night out at the track.' Friday and Saturday's events are hosted by Feaster, the marketing folks behind Cup Day — the biggest day of the year at Hastings in terms of attendance and easily one of the biggest betting days of the season. 'We're excited to elevate the upcoming event to new heights of sophistication by curating a truly enhanced experience for all attendees,' said Adam Bloch, Feaster president. 'By extending the festivities into the late evening, under the Friday night lights, amid the racing action, we're aiming to create an unforgettable evening that'll leave everyone buzzing with excitement.' While Whisky Smoke is now well established, the Country Club Festival, marketed as 'Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots,' returns for a second year following a positive introduction 12 months ago. 'We're so excited to bring Country Club back to Vancouver,' said Bloch. 'The first year exceeded all expectations, and this time we're going even bigger. We're putting the spotlight on bold tequila cocktails, paired with all the good vibes of a classic country tailgate.' Special event days at the track work on a variety of levels. They increase the attendance, normally give a small boost to the betting handle and can also help to introduce horse racing to newcomers. It's not all upside, however, with the owners, trainers and regular racing fans banned from watching from the tarmac in front of the grandstand during both events. Neil Stajkowski, secretary of B.C.'s Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said: 'These special days can help showcase our sport to a wider audience,' he says, 'but, once again, the track operator (Great Canadian Gaming Corp.), which uses horse racing to promote these profitable stand-alone events, refuses to include in any event planning the people actually putting on the show! This has led to owners, trainers, backstretch workers and race fans feeling unwanted at the track they help to finance through their ongoing support of racing.' Whether they're squinting through cigar haze, or craning necks to see over a forest of Stetsons, fans who know their racing will be particularly excited to see the final three races on Friday, which feature some of the toughest and most loved equine athletes at Hastings. The three contests feature 20 veteran campaigners who, between them, have won 135 races and close to $1.5 million in purses. Those impressive stats underline the dedication and professionalism that goes into ensuring horses receive the level of care required to perform for those in the stands — and that's not blowing smoke. Friday, Aug. 8: First post, 7 p.m. Race 3. The veteran of 40 races, Pineapple Tidbits remains among the most consistent performers on the East Van oval. She hasn't missed the board all season and goes for her 12th lifetime win. Race 4: Queen of Attitude continues to enthrall fans with her come-from-behind exploits. She'll again be looking to mow down her rivals late as she chases a remarkable 16th career win on what will be her 29th start.
The Province
6 days ago
- The Province
Cigars and Stetsons feature in a weekend of special events at Hastings
It's a case of "smoke 'em if you've got 'em" at Whisky Smoke on Friday while the track also hosts the Country Club Festival on Saturday. Whisky Smoke, an event described as "like no other in Vancouver". Photo: Michael Bye. The summer of special events at Hastings Racecourse continues this weekend with 'Whisky Smoke' on Friday night, dedicated to an evening of fine cigars, whiskies, cognacs and beer, while Saturday afternoon features the second annual Country Club Festival. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Whisky Smoke has become popular among the cool set looking for Friday night fun, with the evening described as, 'Like no other in Vancouver, combining a tasting event with a night out at the track.' Friday and Saturday's events are hosted by Feaster, the marketing folks behind Cup Day — the biggest day of the year at Hastings in terms of attendance and easily one of the biggest betting days of the season. 'We're excited to elevate the upcoming event to new heights of sophistication by curating a truly enhanced experience for all attendees,' said Adam Bloch, Feaster president. 'By extending the festivities into the late evening, under the Friday night lights, amid the racing action, we're aiming to create an unforgettable evening that'll leave everyone buzzing with excitement.' Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. While Whisky Smoke is now well established, the Country Club Festival, marketed as 'Daisy Dukes and cowboy boots,' returns for a second year following a positive introduction 12 months ago. 'We're so excited to bring Country Club back to Vancouver,' said Bloch. 'The first year exceeded all expectations, and this time we're going even bigger. We're putting the spotlight on bold tequila cocktails, paired with all the good vibes of a classic country tailgate.' Special event days at the track work on a variety of levels. They increase the attendance, normally give a small boost to the betting handle and can also help to introduce horse racing to newcomers. It's not all upside, however, with the owners, trainers and regular racing fans banned from watching from the tarmac in front of the grandstand during both events. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Neil Stajkowski, secretary of B.C.'s Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, said: 'These special days can help showcase our sport to a wider audience,' he says, 'but, once again, the track operator (Great Canadian Gaming Corp.), which uses horse racing to promote these profitable stand-alone events, refuses to include in any event planning the people actually putting on the show! This has led to owners, trainers, backstretch workers and race fans feeling unwanted at the track they help to finance through their ongoing support of racing.' Whether they're squinting through cigar haze, or craning necks to see over a forest of Stetsons, fans who know their racing will be particularly excited to see the final three races on Friday, which feature some of the toughest and most loved equine athletes at Hastings. The three contests feature 20 veteran campaigners who, between them, have won 135 races and close to $1.5 million in purses. Those impressive stats underline the dedication and professionalism that goes into ensuring horses receive the level of care required to perform for those in the stands — and that's not blowing smoke. Queen of Attitude, ridden by Amadeo Perez, goes in search of a remarkable 16th career win on Friday night at Hastings. Photo: Michael Bye. Hastings Selections Friday, Aug. 8: First post, 7 p.m. Race 3. The veteran of 40 races, Pineapple Tidbits remains among the most consistent performers on the East Van oval. She hasn't missed the board all season and goes for her 12th lifetime win. Race 4: Queen of Attitude continues to enthrall fans with her come-from-behind exploits. She'll again be looking to mow down her rivals late as she chases a remarkable 16th career win on what will be her 29th start. GlobeNewswire Vancouver Whitecaps Local News Sports Local News
