Like so many other events over the last two years, the Russell Lions Prairie Classic fell victim to the pandemic and had to be cancelled.

Last year, as Covid numbers dropped and the world was opening up just a little, it looked as if the derby might go ahead.

In order to comply with the ever-changing public health orders, rather than the customary July weekend, the date of 2021 derby was moved to a later date in August.

Just as event co-chairs Kevan McCarthy and Richie Davidson thought everything was figured out, came another blow.

Get the full story in this week's Russell Banner!