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Walk on the rural side at Barriere Expo

Rural Living Expo and Trade Show coming to North Thompson fairgrounds Apr. 26 and 27
77001barrierePartoftheTradeHall
The Rural Living Expo and Trade Held in 2013 was a resounding success

The 2nd annual Rural Living Expo and Trade Show in Barriere, B.C.,  is lifting off for 2014. Over 100 exhibit booths will fill the Trade Show hall and the lovely new North Thompson Agriplex at the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo facility. The event has something for everyone - a full weekend of entertainment and great things to see and do - including the annual Barriere Celebration of Art.

For those of us who are blessed with living in rural British Columbia, or “the country” as some may say, life is truly sweet. We grow our own food, share what we have with those who have less, look out for each other, and our children are more in touch with the natural world. Rural residents are resilient, innovative and show lower stress levels.

We live where you can walk waist deep in a field of wild flowers, see deer playing outside your kitchen window, pick wild berries on a mountain hillside, or catch trout for breakfast within walking distance of home. The sunsets are remembered forever, and a cloudless night brings a galaxy of stars to your back porch. You can swim at the lake, hike in the high country, or travel the back roads.

However, living the rural lifestyle does not mean we lack in amenities or services; you’ll see this for yourself at the Rural Living Expo and Trade Show as you peruse the smorgasbord of service organizations, clubs, merchants, artists and artisans, real estate and home improvement, resources, agriculture, agritourism, health and wellness, featured speakers, entertainment and so much more offered during the two day event.

On Saturday at 11 a.m. we feature our own ‘Chopped’ event, called ‘AXED’, which is modelled after the popular TV cooking network contest. We expect this will be a favourite for years to come. Join the fun as four cooks open their ‘surprise’ basket of ingredients and then have to combine them to make a delicious three course meal. Organizers of this event say they have some interesting “curves” planned to throw at the competitors, and even the judges.

Sunday morning join us for a 10 a.m. Cowboy Church service with the music of country and western singer Gordie West, followed by the uplifting voices of the North Thompson Community Choir. Then cheer on the teams in the First Responder and Teen Bike Challenge, as they assemble mountain bikes in a competitive and fun team environment. The assembled bikes are earmarked to be given to youngsters within the community at a later date.

Don’t miss the amazing athletic antics of the Beshano Bike Trails Club team, who will be performing their special flavour of magic on mountain bikes, three performances a day, both days. The club is definitely top of the list of mountain bike trial spectacles in North America, a sport where the objective is to use perfect balance to keep control of the bike while going over obstacles - giant cubes of varying height, set up in a 30x40 enclosure inside the North Thompson Agriplex. Touching the ground or the obstacles with any part of the body means points deducted. Be prepared to be amazed at what these riders can do with a bicycle!

Meet Elli Terwiel, a member of the Canadian Olympic Ski Team, and bring the young folks out to hear her presentation on motivation and goal setting.

Find out what the Lower North Thompson Community Forest is up to, silviculture, and employment opportunities, or take in a seminar on ATV riding and safety.   Learn about 4H, the Farm Women’s Network, or what the local horseback riding groups have planned for the year. See baby goats and newly hatched chicks, a sure sign that spring has come to rural B.C.

Mark your calenders to join us on Apr. 26 and 27, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  Admission to the whole event is just $5 for adults, and $3 for seniors and students, 12 and under are free. There is plenty of parking on site for even the biggest rigs, and concessions are available on site.

For information or vendor packets go to: www.ruralexpobarriere.com, email: ruralexpobarriere@gmail.com, or call Event Manager Jill Hayward at 250-319-8023.