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The Rosedeer Hotel and Last Chance Saloon are celebrating 100 years this weekend. From Friday, August 9, to Sunday, August 11, there will be live bands, western shootouts, fireworks, and wagon rides to ring in the watering hole's centennial.
One of Drumheller’s oldest watering holes is celebrating. The Rosedeer Hotel and Last Chance Saloon in Wayne have reached the rare century-old milestone.
The celebrations get started on Friday, August 9, and continue until Sunday, August 11.
“I think it’s pretty darn good. We’ve been going 100 years without closing. Most places close every now and then over the years, but this one has always been open,” said Fred Dayman, who operates the establishment with his wife, Alisa.
Over the weekend there will be live entertainment, provided by the Willow Creek Band, Klondike Kate, and Lori and Gold. On Saturday, there will be a western shootout outside the hotel from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and fireworks at 10 p.m. There will also be wagon rides on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
"Everyone is welcome to come out and enjoy the music, buggy rides, the western gun fight, and the fireworks," said Dayman.
The weekend-long celebration will not only mark the centennial of the hotel and saloon, it will celebrate Dayman's retirement.
"It's hard to tell how we feel about it, because of how busy it's been. There are moments when we are excited. We've been here for a long time, so it's going to be quite a big change in our lives," said Dayman.
The couple plans on staying in Wayne.
"We're going to be staying in Wayne. I can't think of a better place to live and we're just an hour away from the airport, where we can go anywhere in the world."
On August 14, Dayman will hand the business over to Dave and Videll Arsenault.
"I'm passing the reins on to Dave and Videll. They spent their honeymoon night here 20 years ago in the honeymoon suite. Videll also spent a lot of time here with her friends when she was younger. We've known each other for a long time, so I'm happy they'll be taking over," said Dayman.
Just over 30 years ago, Dayman bought the Rosedeer Hotel and Saloon from his mother, who in turn took over from Dayman’s uncle. The Dayman family has operated the hotel since it was built.
"We built the business. When I bought it from my mom, things were pretty quiet, but over the years we nurtured it and brought it to a world famous place that draws people to the Valley. We've had people visit who specifically came to see the Last Chance," said Dayman.
The hotel was built in 1913 near the beginning of the coal rush in the Drumheller Valley. During the boom years, Wayne had a population over 2,500, but plummeted after the coal mines shut down. Families literally moved their homes to other parts of the Valley, following whatever mining work was still available.
However, the Rosedeer Hotel and Last Chance Saloon persevered and has continued to serve as Wayne’s local watering hole.
Over the past 30 years, Dayman has strived to grow the business and attract customers. On a hot weekend, the Hotel and nearby campground are packed with tourists enjoying one of the most unique slices of the Valley and, for over two decades, saw huge crowds for motorcycle rallies.
"We ran the Harley Rally here for 20 years, which was a big part of our business. They wouldn't have happened without the help and support of our families," said Dayman. "We always had a good local crowd coming in. We still have a lot of motorcycles coming through here. There are so many things."
Dayman said he couldn't have grown the business without his wife, Alisa.
"She's been working with me for most of the time and has built up the kitchen from one frying pan to putting out 400 orders a day. She's a big part of my life and my business," said Dayman.
Despite retiring, Dayman isn't ready to leave the Last Chance yet.
"We're probably going to be staying on with Dave and Videll through the busy season," said Dayman. "Then maybe we'll work part-time for them afterwards."
