The 74th annual Lacombe Farmers Bonspiel is likely the biggest and longest running bonspiel in Central Alberta, according the one of the organizers.

This bonspiel was originally intended to be a way for farmers to come together during the winter and talk about the latest farming techniques and strategies, and to also connect with some local business owners.

Grant Kamps is on the Farmers Bonspiel committee, and it's his responsibility to recruit local business men to pair up with the farmers.

“Teams of three farmers enter; well we hope they have at least one farmer on the team, some of them are getting harder to find teams like that. Teams of three enter, and then local businesses that we get the sponsorship from, they provide a business man, and then we draw them out of a hat to put a business person with the teams of three to make teams of four. It’s just a way for the sponsors to have a chance to meet up with the farmers they do business with throughout the year and discuss future plans for next year, crops and stuff like that. Just a bunch of mingling and fun curling throughout the week.”

The bonspiel, made up of 48 men’s and 12 women’s teams, goes from January 8th until the 13th down at the Lacombe Curling Club, with a banquet and dance being held for the curlers at the LMC on Friday.

All funds raised will go towards the Lacombe Curling Club.