Fifty-six years have
come and gone since the
North Thompson Fall Fair
and Rodeo (NTFFR) came
into being. From a small
gathering of local friends
and ranchers this event has
steadily grown into a successful
annual fair that
attracts visitors and competitors
from all over
Western Canada.
“I enjoyed this years fair
more than any other I’ve
ever attended,” said NTFFR
president Donna Kibble,
“There was no stress,
everything ran smoothly
and everyone had a great
time.”
Kibble says visitors to
this years event, held on the
Labour Day weekend,
offered many favourable
comments about the event.
“People most often commented
on how clean the
grounds and facilities were
and how nice it was to see
the whole town involved in
the theme of black and
white cows,” she said.
Telephone poles
wrapped in black and white
“cow spots” on Barriere
Town Road, painted plywood
cows and cowboys
that adorned numerous
areas in the downtown core,
and window and business
decorations that reflected
the theme of the event had
visitors to the fair well into
the “fair mood” even before
they reached the grounds.
The BCRA rodeo performance
and cowboy
prayer was dedicated each
day at the fair to long-time
fair member and volunteer
Art Green who recently lost
his fight with cancer.
Green was well-thought of
by fair members and area
residents and was remembered
on numerous occasions
throughout the weekend.
Pony chuckwagon and
chariot races once again
thrilled the crowds at the
rodeo as did the heavy
horse competitions.
Competitions for 4H
youngsters were well-filled
and the beef sections were
especially large.
The exhibit hall was
filled to capacity, becoming
a kaleidoscope of colour,
scents and sounds, supplying
hours of entertainment
for those interested in valley
agriculture, products,
and crafts.
The midway entertained
youngsters and oldsters and
the food concessions
offered up everything from
chicken and ribs to vegetarian
dishes.
“It was wonderful,”
commented Kibble, “I am
so proud of everyone who
helped. I can’t say thank
you enough.”