L A
E Y
N
I
C
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VA L L
P
57
40th Annual
th Annual Pro Rodeo
Nicola Valley Fall Fair and
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
R
O
E R O D
GATES OPEN: 3 PM PERFORM PERFORMANCES: 5 PM
O
WHO WILL WIN
CALCUTTA AUCTION to be held on
Come down early and let the kids burn off some energy with our
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David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
Saturday - 5 pm & Sunday - 1 pm at the Rodeo Grounds Come watch local business people try to wrestle a calf and dress it in underwear. A little friendly competition - with the wind ners donating the winnings to a local charity of their choice.
A?:I 9EHD;H
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 - 7 PM AT THE GRAND PUB AND GRILL
WINNER WILL TAKE HOME THE POT AND HELP OUT A LOCAL CHARITY HWdY^ >WdZ IWZZb[ 8hedY 9ecf[j_j_ed for a chance to win tickets
Y ST.
HILL ST.
N ST.
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GRIEG ST.
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BY ST.
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PARCEL ST.
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CHESTNUT LANE
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It’s that time of the year again. This weekend, Sept. 5 and 6 is the annual Nicola Valley Fall Fair. Experienced fairgoers already know what to expect — for the most part. There’s the best of the best in canned foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, baking, flowers, home made beer and wine, artwork on display and livestock to be judged. It’s all of the things that have brought folks out to the Nicola Valley Fall Fair for 40 consecutive years, and before that since the original fair was held in 1910. Fair organizer and treasurer Kathy Reimer said to expect a lot of entries from kids this year. “We have a very large student section, it’s probably the biggest in the fair,” she said. There are four different age groups, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Expect to see a lot of photography there as well, as it is the second largest collection next to the students. She estimated they
received about a thousand photographs. And although all of the usual sights, sounds and smells can be expected, there’s also something new this year: a garden tractor pull. Similar to a tractor pull, contestants will compete to determine whose garden tractor is the best. “It’s quite interesting,” remarked Reimer. She said a particularly popular display is the old tractor and engine show, put on by the Vintage Car Club. “A lot of the people love that, the old engines that ‘put, put put,’” she said. “It brings back old times I guess.” Reimer referred back to the time when the fall fair was a post-harvest social gathering. “It’s where people gather to visit,” she explained. “In the old days it was after the crops were done, and it was a gathering place. Basically it still is. People come and see people they haven’t seen in a long time, and they mingle. It’s really nice.”
See ‘Fair’ Page 2
M
NICOLA AVE.
AN
CANFO
WILSO N ST.
AVE.
MAIN
HICKS
COLL
BEER GARDENS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: HALF TIME SHOW KEN McCOY 3 x World Champion SATURDAY NIGHT Hoop Dancer ALEX WELLS
ST.
JASON CHARTERS
T
LANGLEY RD.
GRANITE AVE.
CLEAS
SPRING ST.
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YOUR MAP TO THE NICOLA VALLEY RODEO GROUNDS!
F[[M[[ 8Whh[b HWY[ Ckjjed½ 8kij_d]
RODEO
Fall fair features the best of the best Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo: 57 years and counting
GATES OPEN: 11 AM PERFORMANCES: 1 PM
BUSINESSMEN’S CALF DRESSING
Get'er Done
57th Pro
DA
Tickets available at the gate: 10 & under FREE, Students & Seniors - $12, Adults - $15 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: For more info phone Allison Thompson at 250-315-3016 or Karen Coldwell at 250-378-1578
The parade returns for 2015 It’s back! After several years on hiatus, the parade has returned to the Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Pro Rodeo weekend. Put on by the Merritt Chamber of Commerce, the parade will feature some 30 floats from a diverse array of participants. It will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 11 a.m., leaving from Voigt park and making its way along Quilchena before dispersing on Charters. There will be an emcee to announce the processon at the Canadian Country Music The Mamit Lake Hillbillies Staggering Stalks, winners of the 2004 parade. Herald archives Hall of Fame.
Ian Webster THE MERRITT HERALD
The 57th edition of the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo on the Labour Day weekend in Merritt once again promises to be one of the best ever with spectacular displays of skill, courage and horsemanship by some of the best cowboys and cowgirls on the planet and a whole mess of additional fun and entertainment to boot. The Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo Association’s experiment with two different performance times last year proved to be an unqualified success, so once again there will be a late afternoon/evening performance on Saturday starting at 5 p.m., followed by a Sunday matinee show kicking off at 1 p.m. Sunday is officially ‘Family Day’ at the rodeo. There’ll be special activities for the youngsters in a kid zone and a shoe scramble for the wee ones at the intermission. Sunday’s crowd will also be treated to two kids’ rodeo events at half time, as the Nicola Valley’s best duke it out in mutton bustin’ (sheep riding) and in peewee barrel racing. Saturday’s intermission will see the Nicola Valley’s top ranch hands go toe-to-toe in the saddle bronc event. Douglas Lake cowboys will be wanting to put on a good show in front of a hometown audience against their rivals from other ranches throughout the southern Interior. There’s even more entertainment both days! The Cariboo Drill Team from Williams Lake will be performing, as will world-champion hoop dancer Alex Wells from Pemberton. And then there’s the unforgettable Get-Down Rodeo Clown — Merritt’s own Jayson Charters. Let’s not forget the businessmen’s calf-dressing event. It kicks off the action in the arena on Saturday and Sunday. For the grown-up crowd on Saturday night, there’ll be a rodeo dance in the beer
RIP-ROARIN’ ACTION Saddle bronc (above) is just one of several exciting roughstock events at the annual Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo. Ian Webster/Herald
garden immediately following the evening performance, featuring the Ken McCoy Band. Admission is free with your rodeo ticket, or just $5 if you’re a johnny-come-lately. Once again this year, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo has attracted some of the best professional rodeo competitors in the business. Everyone’s trying to earn those precious points that will earn them a spot at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton in October. Turn to the Sports section of this weeks Merritt Herald for more details on who’s coming. To encourage young and old alike to come out and enjoy the rodeo, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo’s ticket prices can’t be beat, with adults at $15, students and seniors $12 and all children 10 and under absolutely free! Tickets for both days of the rodeo can be purchased in advance at Purity Feed or at the gate.
Pop by, hook up & load up your new trailer! ICBC & PRIVATE INSURANCE CLAIMS
KICK OFF RODEO WEEKEND, VISIT US ONLINE AT www.nicolavalleyprorodeo.com
250-378-4628
Located next to Best-Valu Glass • 2663 GRANITE AVENUE • Located next to Fountain Tire
250-378-4531
Fair has big plans in the works From Page 1
40th ANNUAL FALL FAIR
Saturday: noon to 8 pm & Sunday: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
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FLOWERS Extravaganza of Colour
8*/&
FRUITS & VEGETABLES
FORAGE & CROPS A Hayday of Farm Productss
Time Held by a Photo
PET SHOW
Smallest, Best Dressed, Unique, Best Trick, & more!
DAI RY GOATS, SHEEP & SWI N E P O U LT RY & P IG EON S R ABBI TS, C AV I E S & HAMS TER S
Volunteers Always Welcome!
(by the NV Memorial Arena) Bring the whole family for Pancakes, Eggs & Sausage.
Adults $7 Kids/Seniors $5
Support your Cents!
$!.#% 4(% .)'(4 !7!9 n w O OR t’s L rit A Y er T M N ith R I A B
in the Aquatic Centre Parking Lot
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015: 9 pm to 1 am
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Saturday, Sept. 5: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
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ExpertD
4
PHONE NUMBER: _____________________ RULES: Complete the sentences found in each ad by matching a possible answer provided, with the incomplete sentence. Drop your entry form off at the Merritt Herald, 2090 Granite Ave. before 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9. Winner will be drawn 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. Employees and family members of the Merritt Herald are not eligible for this contest. DON’T DELAY, FILL IT OUT...DROP IT OFF FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $50!
2
from the people who care about your car.
250-378-2929
4
DJ _______________ will perform at this NV Fall Fair Dance
www.marios-towing.com
((250)378-9241
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________
3
A fenced-in passageway or a pen that holds an animal safely in position.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE 250-378-7270 OR 250-378-9929
______________ ______________ ________________ ________________
The Copper Valley Man
Extra Foods Merritt
COPPER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD.
Store Hours 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM 7 Days a week
2760 Forksdale Ave. 250-378-1841
5
6. 7. 8. 9.
Heavy leather trousers or leggings worn for protection or dĂŠcor.
NV Pro Rodeo is celebrating their______ year.
Plumbing, Heating, Propane Services, & Air Conditioning
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6
This occurs during roughstock events when a rider stays on at least the minimum time.
♌ Gate Access ♌ Alarm Systems ♌ Standard Sizes
♌ Climate Controlled ♌ Video Surveillance ♌ RV & Boat Storage
UĂŠ*," -- " ĂŠĂŠUĂŠ- 1, ĂŠĂŠUĂŠ ", www.SECUREALLSTORAGE.ca
2865 Neilson Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
2676 Nicola Avenue - Toll Free: 1-888-292-1581
ph:250-315-4748 fax: 250-315-4749 e-mail: hsilvey@shawbiz.ca
1295 Midday Valley Road, Merritt, BC
7
8
9
Each round of a rodeo of competition in a rodeo.
A wild or partially tamed horse or pony.
250-378-9011
NV Fall Fair is celebrating their____ year.
We aree MORE than n j u st Taxes! Co o me see us forr o u r Accountin i g & Bookkeeping g Needs! ALL yo ♢ Bookkeeping ♢ Payroll ♢ Business Start-up and Merges ♢ QuickBooks Pro Advisors (Both Desktop and Online) ine) ♢ Experienced in all Government Documents allowing wing stress free completion ♢ Will help to met all deadlines for remittances such ch as; payroll, GST, PST, WCB and more.
COUNTRY CLUB DANCE
DJ
Weekend Don’t Miss Rodeo Merritt Centennials Pancake Breakfast
Come out to the Fall Fair Building and help us wrap up the 2015 Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Rodeo Weekend NICOLA VALLEY FALL FAIR
Sc r s oo om t y e our hi gh boo -p ts o w on er do pa w rty n in ’!
“We’re going to have a nice display there just outlining what all has been going on and what’s been done and what we’ve raised so people will have a better idea of what they’ve been contributing to,� she said.
Who is this years halftime show performer?
For Animal Lovers
Come down and check out all the exhibits on September 5th & 6th Baking Contest, Commercial Booths, Vintage Car Club, Old Tractor & Engine Show, Lawn Tractor Pulls. Merrittonian Jessie Rabbitt and her son Braxton take a gander at some of the many preserves that were on display at last year’s Nicola Valley Fall Fair. Michael Potestio file photo/Herald
NAME: ______________________________
iagnosis
Handcrafted Ideas
For the Hobby Enthusiasts
PHOTOGRAPHY
1
The Freshness oof the garden
HOMECRAFTS
(/"")%3
345$%.43
Elementary and Secondary
WIN $50!
CANNING
E ARTS
REPLY COUPON ______________________________________
BAKING
A Picturesque Group of Artists
POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Chute, 57th, Hoop Dancer Alex Wells, Bronco, Chaps, Covering, 40th, Go-round, Brian Taylor
ADRESS: ____________________________
An Ar An A Aromatic rro oma mattiic ic G Group
A Show of Great Gardening
4H CLUB C
Chemistry in a bottle
Reimer said she’s hopeful they’ll be successful in securing some grant money. All of the money they raise is through fundraising, lots of it through items donated from people’s yard sales.
PLAY THIS RODEO/FALL FAIR TRIVIA AND YOU COULD...
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 6, 2015
fo
There’s also a friendly competitive edge. Reimer said there are some big players that enter many different categories, building up some rivalries over time. “They do kind of get into the ‘I’m going to win it this year!’� laughed Reimer. As for Reimer, who has been volunteering with the fair for about 30 years, her favorite part of the fair is when it all finally comes together. “It’s a lot of work,� she said. “When you open the door at noon on Saturday, it’s like ‘Ahhh,’� she said, breathing a sigh of relief. Sometimes she doesn’t even have the time to look around herself. This year she said they were fortunate to have new volunteers to help out. “We’ve come a long way,� she said, and they’re moving forward. They’ve been fundraising to try and build a new washroom on site for some five years. This spring they hope to finally get the sewer and water lines put in from the gate to the planned structure, and continue fundraising for the building itself, which is estimated to cost $125,000. This year they’re selling bricks for ten dollars each that will go towards financing the facility, and
Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association presents the
Whatever your taste, whatever your adventure, the City of Merritt offers a blend of country fun, an urban life-style, and outdoor adventure. Located at the heart of the Coquilhalla Highway and gateway to BC’s interior is the City of Merritt.
PROUD SPONSORS OF THE NICOLA VALLEY PRO RODEO
Tel: (250) 378-2215 1964 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC reception@carrieware.ca www.carrieware.ca
Why Stress when you can bring it to the Best.
Proudly Supported by 8 am - 9 pm DAILY
RODEO
Railyard Mall (Garcia St.) Merritt, BC 250-378-5564
Fair has big plans in the works From Page 1
40th ANNUAL FALL FAIR
Saturday: noon to 8 pm & Sunday: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
#IG? =B?=E ION ;FF I@ IOL ?RBC<CNM ;N NB? .6 &;FF &;CL 7? ;L? FI=;N?> DOMN J;MN NB? LI>?I ALIOH>M IH ,CH>F?S #L??E 2I;>
FLOWERS Extravaganza of Colour
8*/&
FRUITS & VEGETABLES
FORAGE & CROPS A Hayday of Farm Productss
Time Held by a Photo
PET SHOW
Smallest, Best Dressed, Unique, Best Trick, & more!
DAI RY GOATS, SHEEP & SWI N E P O U LT RY & P IG EON S R ABBI TS, C AV I E S & HAMS TER S
Volunteers Always Welcome!
(by the NV Memorial Arena) Bring the whole family for Pancakes, Eggs & Sausage.
Adults $7 Kids/Seniors $5
Support your Cents!
$!.#% 4(% .)'(4 !7!9 n w O OR t’s L rit A Y er T M N ith R I A B
in the Aquatic Centre Parking Lot
Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015: 9 pm to 1 am
W
Saturday, Sept. 5: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
DC 21 52
S AUTO
3& LAUD ER ST - BAY
ExpertD
4
PHONE NUMBER: _____________________ RULES: Complete the sentences found in each ad by matching a possible answer provided, with the incomplete sentence. Drop your entry form off at the Merritt Herald, 2090 Granite Ave. before 5 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 9. Winner will be drawn 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, 2015. Employees and family members of the Merritt Herald are not eligible for this contest. DON’T DELAY, FILL IT OUT...DROP IT OFF FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN $50!
2
from the people who care about your car.
250-378-2929
4
DJ _______________ will perform at this NV Fall Fair Dance
www.marios-towing.com
((250)378-9241
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
______________ ______________ ______________ ______________ ______________
3
A fenced-in passageway or a pen that holds an animal safely in position.
FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE 250-378-7270 OR 250-378-9929
______________ ______________ ________________ ________________
The Copper Valley Man
Extra Foods Merritt
COPPER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD.
Store Hours 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM 7 Days a week
2760 Forksdale Ave. 250-378-1841
5
6. 7. 8. 9.
Heavy leather trousers or leggings worn for protection or dĂŠcor.
NV Pro Rodeo is celebrating their______ year.
Plumbing, Heating, Propane Services, & Air Conditioning
Óxä‡ÎÇn‡x£ä{ÊÊUÊÊÓ£x£Ê "1/ Ê 6 °
6
This occurs during roughstock events when a rider stays on at least the minimum time.
♌ Gate Access ♌ Alarm Systems ♌ Standard Sizes
♌ Climate Controlled ♌ Video Surveillance ♌ RV & Boat Storage
UĂŠ*," -- " ĂŠĂŠUĂŠ- 1, ĂŠĂŠUĂŠ ", www.SECUREALLSTORAGE.ca
2865 Neilson Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8
2676 Nicola Avenue - Toll Free: 1-888-292-1581
ph:250-315-4748 fax: 250-315-4749 e-mail: hsilvey@shawbiz.ca
1295 Midday Valley Road, Merritt, BC
7
8
9
Each round of a rodeo of competition in a rodeo.
A wild or partially tamed horse or pony.
250-378-9011
NV Fall Fair is celebrating their____ year.
We aree MORE than n j u st Taxes! Co o me see us forr o u r Accountin i g & Bookkeeping g Needs! ALL yo ♢ Bookkeeping ♢ Payroll ♢ Business Start-up and Merges ♢ QuickBooks Pro Advisors (Both Desktop and Online) ine) ♢ Experienced in all Government Documents allowing wing stress free completion ♢ Will help to met all deadlines for remittances such ch as; payroll, GST, PST, WCB and more.
COUNTRY CLUB DANCE
DJ
Weekend Don’t Miss Rodeo Merritt Centennials Pancake Breakfast
Come out to the Fall Fair Building and help us wrap up the 2015 Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Rodeo Weekend NICOLA VALLEY FALL FAIR
Sc r s oo om t y e our hi gh boo -p ts o w on er do pa w rty n in ’!
“We’re going to have a nice display there just outlining what all has been going on and what’s been done and what we’ve raised so people will have a better idea of what they’ve been contributing to,� she said.
Who is this years halftime show performer?
For Animal Lovers
Come down and check out all the exhibits on September 5th & 6th Baking Contest, Commercial Booths, Vintage Car Club, Old Tractor & Engine Show, Lawn Tractor Pulls. Merrittonian Jessie Rabbitt and her son Braxton take a gander at some of the many preserves that were on display at last year’s Nicola Valley Fall Fair. Michael Potestio file photo/Herald
NAME: ______________________________
iagnosis
Handcrafted Ideas
For the Hobby Enthusiasts
PHOTOGRAPHY
1
The Freshness oof the garden
HOMECRAFTS
(/"")%3
345$%.43
Elementary and Secondary
WIN $50!
CANNING
E ARTS
REPLY COUPON ______________________________________
BAKING
A Picturesque Group of Artists
POSSIBLE ANSWERS: Chute, 57th, Hoop Dancer Alex Wells, Bronco, Chaps, Covering, 40th, Go-round, Brian Taylor
ADRESS: ____________________________
An Ar An A Aromatic rro oma mattiic ic G Group
A Show of Great Gardening
4H CLUB C
Chemistry in a bottle
Reimer said she’s hopeful they’ll be successful in securing some grant money. All of the money they raise is through fundraising, lots of it through items donated from people’s yard sales.
PLAY THIS RODEO/FALL FAIR TRIVIA AND YOU COULD...
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 6, 2015
fo
There’s also a friendly competitive edge. Reimer said there are some big players that enter many different categories, building up some rivalries over time. “They do kind of get into the ‘I’m going to win it this year!’� laughed Reimer. As for Reimer, who has been volunteering with the fair for about 30 years, her favorite part of the fair is when it all finally comes together. “It’s a lot of work,� she said. “When you open the door at noon on Saturday, it’s like ‘Ahhh,’� she said, breathing a sigh of relief. Sometimes she doesn’t even have the time to look around herself. This year she said they were fortunate to have new volunteers to help out. “We’ve come a long way,� she said, and they’re moving forward. They’ve been fundraising to try and build a new washroom on site for some five years. This spring they hope to finally get the sewer and water lines put in from the gate to the planned structure, and continue fundraising for the building itself, which is estimated to cost $125,000. This year they’re selling bricks for ten dollars each that will go towards financing the facility, and
Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association presents the
Whatever your taste, whatever your adventure, the City of Merritt offers a blend of country fun, an urban life-style, and outdoor adventure. Located at the heart of the Coquilhalla Highway and gateway to BC’s interior is the City of Merritt.
PROUD SPONSORS OF THE NICOLA VALLEY PRO RODEO
Tel: (250) 378-2215 1964 Quilchena Avenue, Merritt, BC reception@carrieware.ca www.carrieware.ca
Why Stress when you can bring it to the Best.
Proudly Supported by 8 am - 9 pm DAILY
RODEO
Railyard Mall (Garcia St.) Merritt, BC 250-378-5564
L A
E Y
N
I
C
O
VA L L
P
57
40th Annual
th Annual Pro Rodeo
Nicola Valley Fall Fair and
SATURDAY, SEPT. 5 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 6
R
O
E R O D
GATES OPEN: 3 PM PERFORM PERFORMANCES: 5 PM
O
WHO WILL WIN
CALCUTTA AUCTION to be held on
Come down early and let the kids burn off some energy with our
8ekdYo 9Wijb[ <WY[ FW_dj_d] A_Zi Yb_cX_d] ped[
David Dyck THE MERRITT HERALD
Saturday - 5 pm & Sunday - 1 pm at the Rodeo Grounds Come watch local business people try to wrestle a calf and dress it in underwear. A little friendly competition - with the wind ners donating the winnings to a local charity of their choice.
A?:I 9EHD;H
FRIDAY, SEPT. 4 - 7 PM AT THE GRAND PUB AND GRILL
WINNER WILL TAKE HOME THE POT AND HELP OUT A LOCAL CHARITY HWdY^ >WdZ IWZZb[ 8hedY 9ecf[j_j_ed for a chance to win tickets
Y ST.
HILL ST.
N ST.
D.
LANGLEY
CHAPMAN ST.
CLEASBY ST.
GARCIA
GRIEG ST.
ST.
BY ST.
RIVER
PARCEL ST.
VOGHT ST.
CL
CHESTNUT LANE
VE. FIR A
BIRCH AVE.
CHESTNUT AVE. MID
LI NDL EY C RE EK R
HAMIL TON
MORRISLE
ASPE
RODEO GROUNDS
COUTLEE AVE.
COLDW ATER A VE.
.
S LIAM WIL CR.
T.
SPRUCE AVE.
WALNUT AVE. FIR AVE.
M
QUILCHENA AVE.
CHAPM
ETT S
ST.
GOVERNMENT AVE.
RD AVE
It’s that time of the year again. This weekend, Sept. 5 and 6 is the annual Nicola Valley Fall Fair. Experienced fairgoers already know what to expect — for the most part. There’s the best of the best in canned foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, baking, flowers, home made beer and wine, artwork on display and livestock to be judged. It’s all of the things that have brought folks out to the Nicola Valley Fall Fair for 40 consecutive years, and before that since the original fair was held in 1910. Fair organizer and treasurer Kathy Reimer said to expect a lot of entries from kids this year. “We have a very large student section, it’s probably the biggest in the fair,” she said. There are four different age groups, ranging from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Expect to see a lot of photography there as well, as it is the second largest collection next to the students. She estimated they
received about a thousand photographs. And although all of the usual sights, sounds and smells can be expected, there’s also something new this year: a garden tractor pull. Similar to a tractor pull, contestants will compete to determine whose garden tractor is the best. “It’s quite interesting,” remarked Reimer. She said a particularly popular display is the old tractor and engine show, put on by the Vintage Car Club. “A lot of the people love that, the old engines that ‘put, put put,’” she said. “It brings back old times I guess.” Reimer referred back to the time when the fall fair was a post-harvest social gathering. “It’s where people gather to visit,” she explained. “In the old days it was after the crops were done, and it was a gathering place. Basically it still is. People come and see people they haven’t seen in a long time, and they mingle. It’s really nice.”
See ‘Fair’ Page 2
M
NICOLA AVE.
AN
CANFO
WILSO N ST.
AVE.
MAIN
HICKS
COLL
BEER GARDENS LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: HALF TIME SHOW KEN McCOY 3 x World Champion SATURDAY NIGHT Hoop Dancer ALEX WELLS
ST.
JASON CHARTERS
T
LANGLEY RD.
GRANITE AVE.
CLEAS
SPRING ST.
FAIRWAY PL.
P IN E
Ed#I_j[ 9edY[ii_edi L[dZehi =[j½[h :ed[ 9Wdj[[d CW]]_[i 8WddeYa Ifkd Ik]Wh (8eeji JWYa <Whc^eki[ 8b_ii ceh[$$$
1ST AVE.
McMILLAN
9Wh_Xee 9em]_hbi :h_bb J[Wc
GARCIA ST.
YOUR MAP TO THE NICOLA VALLEY RODEO GROUNDS!
F[[M[[ 8Whh[b HWY[ Ckjjed½ 8kij_d]
RODEO
Fall fair features the best of the best Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo: 57 years and counting
GATES OPEN: 11 AM PERFORMANCES: 1 PM
BUSINESSMEN’S CALF DRESSING
Get'er Done
57th Pro
DA
Tickets available at the gate: 10 & under FREE, Students & Seniors - $12, Adults - $15 THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: For more info phone Allison Thompson at 250-315-3016 or Karen Coldwell at 250-378-1578
The parade returns for 2015 It’s back! After several years on hiatus, the parade has returned to the Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Pro Rodeo weekend. Put on by the Merritt Chamber of Commerce, the parade will feature some 30 floats from a diverse array of participants. It will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, starting at 11 a.m., leaving from Voigt park and making its way along Quilchena before dispersing on Charters. There will be an emcee to announce the processon at the Canadian Country Music The Mamit Lake Hillbillies Staggering Stalks, winners of the 2004 parade. Herald archives Hall of Fame.
Ian Webster THE MERRITT HERALD
The 57th edition of the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo on the Labour Day weekend in Merritt once again promises to be one of the best ever with spectacular displays of skill, courage and horsemanship by some of the best cowboys and cowgirls on the planet and a whole mess of additional fun and entertainment to boot. The Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo Association’s experiment with two different performance times last year proved to be an unqualified success, so once again there will be a late afternoon/evening performance on Saturday starting at 5 p.m., followed by a Sunday matinee show kicking off at 1 p.m. Sunday is officially ‘Family Day’ at the rodeo. There’ll be special activities for the youngsters in a kid zone and a shoe scramble for the wee ones at the intermission. Sunday’s crowd will also be treated to two kids’ rodeo events at half time, as the Nicola Valley’s best duke it out in mutton bustin’ (sheep riding) and in peewee barrel racing. Saturday’s intermission will see the Nicola Valley’s top ranch hands go toe-to-toe in the saddle bronc event. Douglas Lake cowboys will be wanting to put on a good show in front of a hometown audience against their rivals from other ranches throughout the southern Interior. There’s even more entertainment both days! The Cariboo Drill Team from Williams Lake will be performing, as will world-champion hoop dancer Alex Wells from Pemberton. And then there’s the unforgettable Get-Down Rodeo Clown — Merritt’s own Jayson Charters. Let’s not forget the businessmen’s calf-dressing event. It kicks off the action in the arena on Saturday and Sunday. For the grown-up crowd on Saturday night, there’ll be a rodeo dance in the beer
RIP-ROARIN’ ACTION Saddle bronc (above) is just one of several exciting roughstock events at the annual Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo. Ian Webster/Herald
garden immediately following the evening performance, featuring the Ken McCoy Band. Admission is free with your rodeo ticket, or just $5 if you’re a johnny-come-lately. Once again this year, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo has attracted some of the best professional rodeo competitors in the business. Everyone’s trying to earn those precious points that will earn them a spot at the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton in October. Turn to the Sports section of this weeks Merritt Herald for more details on who’s coming. To encourage young and old alike to come out and enjoy the rodeo, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo’s ticket prices can’t be beat, with adults at $15, students and seniors $12 and all children 10 and under absolutely free! Tickets for both days of the rodeo can be purchased in advance at Purity Feed or at the gate.
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KICK OFF RODEO WEEKEND, VISIT US ONLINE AT www.nicolavalleyprorodeo.com
250-378-4628
Located next to Best-Valu Glass • 2663 GRANITE AVENUE • Located next to Fountain Tire
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