Barrette tops Class A at 2026 Gold Panning Championships

The World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships returned to Taylor from July 31 to August 2, with competitors gathering for the annual long weekend tradition and a full schedule of gold panning and other competitions planned at Peace Island Park.

Trina Barrette finished first in Class A, followed by Mike Barrette in second and Frankie Barrette in third, with Frankie Barrette also taking Fine, Alicia Scott taking Speed and Tyson Gejdos taking Skill.

William Sloane finished first in Class B, followed by Darin Barrette and Sarah Barrette, while Wayne Lockhart took first in Class C Adult, ahead of Lilian Lockhart in second and Sarah Dickie in third.

In Juvenile Open, Wilder Barton finished first, followed by Evan Bowes in second and Charlotte Demontezumg in third, while Brenda Gejdos took first in Metal Detecting Adult, ahead of Barb Gejdos and Cameron Argo.

Brent Taillefer finished first in Celebrity/Sponsor Media, followed by Barry Scott and David Coupland, while Cameron Argo took first in Claimstaking Adult, followed by Trina Barrette in second and Tyson Gejdos in third.

Raelynn Moskakyk took first in Claimstaking Juvenile, followed by Adley Porter and Ever Barton, while Garrett and Tyson finished first in Bannock Baking Adult, ahead of Ed and Khennan, with Luella and Berlin finishing third.

Hank and Dylan took first in Bannock Baking Juvenile, followed by Wilder and Johnathan in second and Ever and Laura in third, rounding out the results from this year’s World’s Invitational Gold Panning Championships in Taylor.