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North Thompson Fall Fair and BCRA Rodeo Finals on Labour Day weekend

NT Fall Fair and Rodeo announce planning has started for 2022 event
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Yahoo! Pull out your cowboy hat and polish up your boots, as the annual fall fair and rodeo in Barriere will once again be opening its gates on the September Labour Day weekend.

“Yes, we’re back in the saddle again.” said North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association (NTFFRA) president Jill Hayward last Tuesday, “We recently approved the budget for this year’s event so as of right now we’re gearing up to be back bigger and better in 2022.”

The annual North Thompson Fall Fair and BCRA Rodeo Finals has been sorely missed these past two years due to cancellations because of the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant variants.

Not only have organizers and fans been eagerly awaiting the return of this popular three day event, but so have the region’s business community.

Hayward says the NTFFRA has felt the financial pinch over the past two years. The association owns their 27 acre fairgrounds facility in the heart of Barriere, which means they also maintain the facility, pay the insurance, utilities, etcetera.

“We’ve had a very lean couple of years without any income coming in from the annual event, and of course we have also lost all of the renters who utilized the facility each year as well,” said Hayward.

“Our members have been amazing in all of the unique fundraising ideas that they put into motion to help. Selling fresh fruit and vegetables, manure for gardens, bulbs from our own garden beds, hosting virtual silent auctions and more. We have also been supported by a grant from the Lower North Thompson Community Forest Society, received help from Community Futures Thompson Country, as well as a number of other organizations, businesses and individuals who have truly helped keep the wolf from our door.”

Hayward says creating and producing the annual event takes hundreds of volunteer hours provided by NTFFRA members and supporters. Planning is already well on it’s way to get the annual entry catalogue out by May, and the event program to the printer by the beginning of August.

“It really is a momentous job, and we are always looking for new members and volunteers,” said Hayward, “As the fall fair and rodeo has been shut down for two years, we now have a number of positions that are open for new folks to step up and volunteer for. Everything from behind the scenes, to convenor roles, to Jack-of-all-trades. We welcome anyone who would like to participate in whatever way works best for them.”

What will happen if BC Health has to shut down big events such as the Fall Fair and Rodeo again this fall due to the pandemic?

“Well, we have talked about that a lot,” said Hayward, “But right now we are back in the saddle again, and based on what we have been hearing so far the province is cautiously opening up again. We’ll have to follow whatever the health regulations are at the time, vaccine passports, etcetera. But we’ll pass that bridge when we come to it. Right now we are a go!”

Anyone interested in joining the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association, or interested in volunteering for the 2022 event is invited to check out: www.fallfair-rodeo.com or find them on Facebook.

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