Tributes were paid Friday to Lorne Calvert, shown here at the Saskatchewan legislature earlier this spring. (CBC)Tributes were paid Friday to Lorne Calvert, shown here at the Saskatchewan legislature earlier this spring. (CBC)

As they prepare to welcome a new leader, Saskatchewan New Democrats were saying goodbye to their current chief on Friday.

Lorne Calvert is stepping down, with a vote to replace him to be held Saturday.

It was at times an emotional afternoon in Regina as party members paid tribute to the 56-year-old former premier.

Calvert appeared misty-eyed at times as tributes flowed from such party luminaries as Allan Blakeney and Roy Romanow — both also former New Democrat premiers.

Calvert, who was first elected to the legislature in 1986 and served in Romanow's cabinet in the 1990s, led his party to re-election in 2003. The New Democrats were defeated by the Saskatchewan Party in 2007.

A United Church minister before he entered politics, Calvert plans to return to his roots in the church.

Later this year, he will take on a new job as principal of St. Andrew's College at the University of Saskatchewan.

In the running to replace him are Dwain Lingenfelter, Ryan Meili, Yens Pedersen and Deb Higgins.