The Bridge Lake Fair is expanding from the Interlakes Community Centre to include the rodeo grounds, accommodating more animals and activities for its 60th anniversary on Sunday, Aug. 19.
The fair was cancelled last summer because of the wildfires.
Jaime Hanna-Cameron, one of the volunteers helping to plan the fair, is excited about this year’s expansion.
“It used to be a really huge event years ago and it would be nice to get a little more of the animal agricultural type stuff back into it, so we’re hoping this is the first step in that direction,” she said.
Hanna-Cameron is responsible for organizing a driving horse show in the rodeo grounds, something she’s particularly looking forward to because she and her husband farm with horses.
The rodeo grounds will also house the bigger animals, like her own Jersey cows and calves, and will serve as the poultry swap venue.
RELATED: Bridge Lake Fair booklet out
“It’s kind of exciting to see. Hopefully, we can start growing it up again,” she said.
Planning for this large an event takes pretty much all year, according to Hanna-Cameron.
Approximately 10 or 12 ladies put the entire event together, she said, although they get a lot of extra help putting in large animal pens in the final weeks of planning.
“The next couple weeks here is going to be really foot-to-the-floor,” she said. “It should be a lot of fun.”
Familiar contests are returning to the fair - with over 400 different classes to participate in.
A variety of prizes such as ribbons, plaques, gift certificates or money will be given awarded to winners.
For a full list of classes and rules, see the little red book distributed at Donex in 100 Mile House, the Country Pedlar, the Interlakes Market and the Lone Butte and Bridge Lake stores.
With files from Diana Forster.
What’s new
Maverick’s petting zoo
A bouncy castle (weather permitting)
A Canada 150 contest - any Canadian-themed item
People’s choice award for Canada 150 contest
Horse-Driving Competition
Poultry Swap
Seabloom Mini Ranch’s tiny horses
What’s returning
Bench show with over 400 classes to enter
The Container Contest
The Fairy Garden
Two corporate baking contests
Old-fashioned races
Hourly cakewalks for $2
A tea room
Craft and vendor market
Concessions
Musical entertainment from Paul & Cliff, Richard Minato and Tom Risher
Experts demonstrating spinning and Saori weaving
Silent auction throughout the day
A closing auction at 3:45 p.m. run by Danny Stewart
What you should know
There is a small fee for contest entries.
Entries are to be submitted to the Community Centre on Aug. 18, for judging by experienced community volunteers.
The exhibition and events are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19.
The door prize is a basket of Canadian products valued at $150.
Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for seniors (65+) and children aged five to eleven and covers both venues. Children four and under are admitted free.
Parents are advised to bring change so kids can participate in games and events.
beth.audet@100milefreepress.net
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.