(Photo credit: CFJC Today).

By Stephanie Swensrude

LABOUR DAY WEEKEND

Back in the saddle: North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo returns

Sep 6, 2022 | 2:37 PM

BARRIERE, B.C. — Labour Day weekend marked the 73rd Annual North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo. Like so many events, it had been modified the past two years due to pandemic restrictions. On Saturday (Sept. 3), all of the fair-goers were thrilled to be back in the saddle.

Jill Hayward is the president of the Fair.

“It’s a great day to come. It’s a real down-home country fair, and everyone is friendly and happy,” said Hayward.

“It was created in 1951 by pioneering families who wanted to create a place where the 4-H youngsters could show their animals,” said Hayward.

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“At the time they were having to go to Vancouver [or Kamloops] to do that. But way back then, it was an hour-and-a-half drive on a gravel road, so that’s why the fair started.”

Jackson Brady and Brianna Morrison just found out they will be moving onto the championship round of the sheep showmanship classes.

(Photo credit: CFJC Today).

“I don’t even know how the hell I got up there. It’s surprising,” said Brady.

“Magical stuff happens, I thought I was gonna be dead last but here I am.”

What are they thinking as they head into the next round?

“Just be on my A-game, really focusing on the judge, making sure my lamb is set up at all times, just really focusing on everything, making sure I make no mistakes,” said Morrison.

Mike Chappel brought his horse, Prince, to the fair. Prince is a whopping 19 hands tall.

(Photo credit: CFJC Today).

“This is large for a draft. I don’t know if it’s the biggest I’ve ever seen, but he certainly has some size,” said Chappel.

“For those who don’t understand, 19 hands is where they measure to his whither, which is, for lack of a better term, is about six-and-a-half feet then plus, obviously, his big head.”

The fair is a fundraising opportunity for some groups in this rural community — an opportunity that has been sorely missed during the pandemic.

“We also have an opportunity for all our social service groups, like search and rescue, our ambulance company, our fire department and our seniors society — they have booths at the fair. Maybe they’re selling pancakes, maybe they’re selling hot dogs — that’s a way for them to make funding,” said Hayward.

“And that funding is often what their organization runs on for the year.”

With visitors from Washington, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and even some European countries, Hayward said she expects this year’s fair to have had record attendance.