The North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association (NTFFRA) are truly back in the saddle as they were finally able to hold a pot luck supper combined with their annual general meeting for the first time since 2019. The event took place on Saturday, Nov. 26, at their fairgrounds in Barriere in the Agriplex banquet hall which was decorated with cheery seasonal decorations and offering plenty of food to feed everyone two or three times over.
The pot luck also provided a great opportunity for the organization’s members and supporters to reconnect, visit, chat about next year’s annual event, and make plans for possible improvements to the fairground facility into the future.
There was plenty of discussion and planning regarding decorating and setting the displays up for the Christmas At The Fair Light Show that will be at the fairgounds Dec. 16 to 23, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. This year, the ‘by donation’ event will be set up so attendees can drive through or walk through the light displays as they follow a winding and looping trail from the North Thompson Agriplex on Dunn Lake Road to the Fall Fair Hall on the Barriere Lakes Road side of the fairgrounds. At the Fall Fair Hall attendees will find outdoor bonfires to warm up beside, caroling, a hot chocolate and treats concession inside a warm hall, as well as an open mic for fun stories or improv singing or music.
An exciting new feature this year will be found inside the Agriplex banquet hall where a gigantic miniature Christmas village will be set up for all to see. Make sure you plan to set aside plenty of time to peruse this amazing little town and all the people and animals that live there, the train that travels through the mountains, and so much more. While attendees, check out the miniature village there will be warm and comfortable seating close by for others to enjoy hot chocolate, tea, coffee, and of course yummy treats.
The start of the NTFFRA’s AGM was delayed somewhat in starting by 7 p.m. due to a few technical problems connecting to Zoom video conferencing so members who were not able to attend in person could also participate in the annual meeting.
Meeting highlights:
Executive officers elected for the upcoming one year term were: President Jill Hayward, First Vice-President Harley Wright, 2nd Vice-President Karl Rainer, Secretary Pat Paula, and Treasurer Barb Denton.
Directors and convenors are elected for a two year term with 50 per cent elected on an every other year basis.
Directors elected to a two year term were: Brian Sabyan, Michelle Johnson, Gordie West, Donna Kibble, and Tanya Wong.
Convenors elected for a two year term were: Goats-Linda Carlson, Flowers - Diane Bloomfield and Dodie Lysak, Beef - Betty Peters, 4-H Photography Brent Hamblin, Camping - Shane Baykey, Rabbits - Ginger McCurdy, Exhibit Hall Sherrie Dilley, Gates - Louis Lodge, Parking - Ed and Donna Salle, Advertising - Jill Hayward, Crochet, Knitting, Spinning, etc. - Louise Peters, Companion Garden - Jane Milburn, Boys and Girls Schoolwork - Donna Salle, Parade - Bob Payette, Booth Rentals - Bev Murphy, and Catalogue - Pat Paula.
For more information about the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association or how to become a member go to: www.fallfair-rodeo.com or check out their Facebook pages; North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo Association, North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo, or North Thompson Agriplex.
If you would like to volunteer to help with the Christmas at The Fair event, set up or take down please call Laura at 250-319-1060 or Jane at 250-672-9391.