Wagon train rolls with nary a hitch: The wagon masters and cowboys, teamsters and outriders steered the eight covered wagons from Chapeau to St. Joseph’s, then back to Chapeau, then off to Desjardinsville before putting their steeds, and in the case of the outriders, their sore and tired derrières, to rest Sunday. They roamed the island for three days, breaking camp for the evening before beginning an early morning trek to the next settlement.

The wagon train turned in the Chapeau fairgrounds Saturday, as spectators of all ages lining the roads and grounds watched, wide-eyed as the horses were unhitched and the saddles removed so the horses could be brushed, watered and fed for the night.

“It was wonderful, a perfect day,” said outrider Lorelei Rabishaw of Pembroke, as she brushed her horse.

“There were some baddies, but we fought them off,” her husband, James Rabishaw joked.

There was nothing bad about the first-ever Allumettes Island Wagon Train, though. Organized in conjunction with Settlers’ Days, the island was momentarily transformed into a scene from the past.

PPJ Cyclopark now officially opened: About 700 cyclists from all over Pontiac MRC inaugurated the PPJ Cyclopark Friday in the CT scan Cyclothon leading up to the official opening ceremony of the Cyclopark.

“It’s a nice sight to see the two wheels, because without the bikes, all our efforts would be in vain,” said Jack Graham, the mayor of Bristol and chair of the Cyclopark committee.

The Vélobus, a bicycle built for 35, borrowed from the City of Hull, made its way down the Cyclopark and through town, filled with mayors from the MRC Pontiac, politicians and anyone else who dared to join them.