Evansburg elects a new town grouch

After a competitive campaign, the citizens of Evansburg have elected a new town grouch. Margaret Hodgkinson has won the honour to grumble and complain her way through the coming year.

Evansburg has a population of roughly 600 people, and was originally a coal mining town.

The first “Grouch” contest was held by the Royal Canadian Legion back in 1979, in conjunction with the community’s 25th anniversary.

Now, voting for a new town grouch is an annual event, as part of the Pembina Valley Family Daze festival.

The winner is given the right to criticize, complain, grumble, pester and antagonize without fear of being reprimanded or scolded for the entire year. There’s even a park bench allocated to the winner to be used for all things grouchy.