The 2013 Rock Creek and Boundary Fall Fair was a hot one, with temperatures in the 30s on Saturday and nearly as hot again on Sunday.
The Honourable Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, opened the Fair this year. She said she was amazed at the overall organization and volunteer spirit of the Fair and how the many volunteers were working so well together.
The dais presented some great musical acts this year—Tim Hus and Fred Penner were headliners— along with the Cullpeppers, the Prenell Reichert Band, Rick Valiant singing the Songs of Sinatra, Laela Heidt, the Timely Wonders, the Sock Monkey Band and a Gordon Lightfoot showcase.
As always the local 4-H clubs had a significant part in the program with displays, a fashion show, livestock judging and arena shows.
There were some new and returning events this year with some arena events such as team penning and mutton busting dropped from the schedule.
Tim Hus provided the music for a family friendly dance in front of the dais on Saturday night too.
The lawnmower races were there as usual. This year they expanded that portion of the program to include some radio controlled car racing and something called quad soccer.
The soccer match involved teams of three quads trying to push a large exercise ball through the goalposts. Although one team scored three goals and the other team somewhat fewer—the biggest loser in the match was the ball, which suffered a catastrophic puncture about ten minutes into the action.
A gas powered RC car operated by Robert Hamilton proved to be the fastest thing on the track—though a few head of cattle didn’t enjoy having it join them in their livestock pen at the east end of the arena.
Many displays of produce and craftsmanship filled both the Pavilion and the Ag Building with colour.
The president of the Interior Provincial Exhibition was there Sunday and said he had never seen such a great effort at a small town Fair.
According to Terry Keough all of the vendors said even though the Fair attendance was not the highest, mostly due to the Summerland Fair landing on the same weekend, they all thought the Fair was one of if not the best one ever.
Fred Penner was a great hit with the kids (young and old) on Sunday.
Sitting on the ground directly in front of the stage gave one an interesting view. The area closest to the stage was filled with dancing kids, while the first three rows (all I could see from my vantage point) were literally jiggling and bouncing along with the music proving it is hard, if not impossible, to sit still at a Fred Penner concert.
Penner said it was the best fair he has been at and the friendliness and volunteer spirit was unmatched.