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Chauvin residents and regular visitors are certainly familiar with this smiling face welcoming all to the village. New visitors are intrigued and often ask “Who’s that girl”? This is Suzie, our beloved – and quite ‘famous’ – roadside attraction, proudly claiming the title of the World’s Largest Softball!

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Suzie’s story goes back to 1980, when village council members Arnold Seim, Belva Goede, Dick Wirges, Len Kryzanowski, and Ray Etson set out to find an iconic symbol that captured the spirit of Chauvin. Their choice was inspired by the thriving softball culture here, thanks to the annual June Jamboree – a three-day ball “Tournament of Champions” that drew the best teams from Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan from 1975 until 1987.

 

At its peak, the Jamboree attracted up to 48 teams, becoming the largest tournament of its kind in western Canada. To bring Suzie to life, Arnold Seim tracked down a septic tank in Bashaw, whose rounded shape was just right. After some creative engineering, the tank was transformed: rims and risers were removed, and the cap was reshaped into a ball cap. Local artist Carole Pollard added bright blue eyes, a sweet smile and all the details, completing Suzie’s look just in time for the June Jamboree!

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Suzie’s first cap even had a pompom – until it began to repeatedly fall off. A few residents would humorously replace it with a beer bottle. After some scolding from Alf Pollard, Carole’s husband, the pompom was retired for good.

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For several years, Suzie proudly represented Chauvin in parades across the region. She eventually took her permanent spot as our official ‘welcomer’ on Highway 610 at the sports grounds. Over 44 years later, she’s still making appearances in village promotional materials, in tourist magazines and in YouTube videos. You can even find a Suzie-inspired costume at the village office – a tribute to her star status!

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The Chauvin Ag Society brought back the June Jamboree as a family festival in 2022, much to the community’s delight. Every year, Suzie eagerly greets visitors, and her charm draws plenty of photo ops. She’s more than just a roadside attraction; she’s a beloved piece of Chauvin’s heart and history.

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