The award winning North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo happens on this weekend, Aug. 30 to Sept. 1, in Barriere.
“Right from little kids to folks who can claim they are 100, we believe this year’s event will deliver plenty of enjoyment and make good memories for them all,” says NTFFRA president Jill Hayward.
The big parade will travel through Barriere on Saturday, culminating in the rodeo arena, where opening ceremonies will take place and then be followed by three days of BCRA fast paced rodeo action.
An outdoor stage has a full line-up of country and western music with Gordie West, Butch Falk, Hugh McLennan, renowned magician Clinton W. Gray, and of course Uncle Chris the Clown, with surprise cameo appearances by talented local entertainers.
Favourites this year will be the Friday night family dance (all ages welcome and alcohol free), the traditional cabaret dance on Saturday night, and the Sunday evening Cowboy Concert, all in the fall fair hall. Don’t miss feature entertainer Eli Barsi singing at the Cowboy Concert, and the well known all-girl cowboy band Horse Crazy.
Livestock shows, 4H competitions and Light Horse events will run throughout the weekend as will the Heavy Horse competitions where the gentle giants show just how much “pull” they have.
The popular lawn tractor races will have the dust flying before the rodeo gets underway and the youngsters will find a great assortment of attractions to keep them busy near the indoor picnic area by the food court.
Visit the vendors in the North Thompson Agriplex Banquet Hall, and view a special display of the Fall Fair and Rodeo’s 65 years of history. Check out the old photos, memorabilia, and scrapbooks and help us identify who the folks are in some of those photos from years gone by.
Those with adventure in their bones can try their hand at the climbing wall, the mechanical bull, the maze for all ages, or kids’ amusements like bouncy castle, the mechanical swings and ride the train.
Visitors can sit in the shade of the companion garden, pat a pony, enjoy an ice cream, participate in a free workshop or meet a 4-H family.
“For three days folks will be able to fully experience the sights, sounds, smells and nostalgia of a real country fair,” says Hayward, “You can pick a carrot fresh from the companion garden, sing along with great musicians, learn about valley heritage, visit with friends, and even feel the wind in your hair as the pony chariots or chuckwagons thunder past. We’re inviting everyone to come to the fair and help us celebrate our 65th event!”
For more information go to www.fallfair-rodeo.com. Find us on Twitter and Facebook, or download our App.