The North Peace Fall Fair is getting ready to welcome thousands of people for its 79th year, with three days of agricultural exhibits, competitions, entertainment and family activities planned for Aug. 14 to 16.
The annual event, held about a 15-minute drive outside Fort St. John, brings together farmers, families, exhibitors and volunteers to celebrate the region’s agricultural roots and community traditions.
For Connie West, secretary and office manager for the North Peace Fall Fair, the event’s long history is one of the things that makes it special.
“It’s really, really steeped in tradition,” West said.
“I see or hear of many families that the tradition’s passed down… It’s really neat to see the multi-generational crossover that you’ve got people from all sorts of generations enjoying themselves.”
The fairgrounds open at 8 a.m. Friday, with tractor pull registration and weigh-ins kicking off the weekend.
The light horse show will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by live music and an evening tractor pull at 8 p.m.
Gates open at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, with a pancake breakfast starting at 7:30 a.m.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can watch livestock judging for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry and rabbits, along with tractor pulls, log sawing, spike driving and stock dog demonstrations.
The main stage will feature live music, talent shows and fiddle contests.
Inside the exhibition areas, visitors can check out photography, handicrafts, artwork and junior entries, along with home production exhibits featuring baking, canning, grains and floral displays.
Several local guilds, including the North Peace Spinners and Weavers, Country Quilters and North Peace Potters, will also offer demonstrations.
There will be plenty for younger visitors to take part in, including free face painting, balloon animals and a sand pile where children can dig for coins.
An interactive farm experience will give children a chance to try milking a mock cow and digging for vegetables.
The zucchini races are also returning for a second year.
“It is very exciting,” West said of the event.
While many fairs feature rides, midway attractions and beer gardens, the North Peace Fall Fair takes a different approach.
“We are 100 per cent just focused on the animals and the events and the competitions,” West said.
“We don’t have any midway, we don’t have beer gardens… It’s more of a learning experience, I would say, than a fair where you would go and do rides.”
That focus gives visitors a chance to learn more about agriculture, livestock and the skills involved in producing everything from food to crafts.
Behind the scenes, the event depends on hundreds of hours of volunteer work.
The fair is entirely volunteer-run and organizers are looking for people to help with setup, parking, gate management, booth supervision and cleanup.
Most volunteer shifts are about four to five hours, and organizers said no previous experience is required.
“Volunteers are everything to us,” West said.
The fair typically attracts nearly 5,000 people over the weekend, making volunteers and community support an important part of keeping the event running.
Admission is $10 per day or $20 for a weekend pass for adults.
Seniors and youth can enter for $5 per day or $10 for the weekend, while children five and under get in free.
On-site camping is also available for $40 for the full weekend on a first-come, first-served basis.
More information about the schedule, volunteer opportunities, maps, vendors and the history of the North Peace Fall Fair is available at Northpeacefallfair.com.
