Huge crowds are expected this weeknd as the annual Rock Creek Fall Fair returns to the Rock Creek fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday. (File photo)
The biggest little country fair around is set to return and plenty of Osoyoos residents – and people from across the Okanagan Valley and many other parts of British Columbia – will take in the fun as the Rock Creek Fall Fair takes place this weekend.
The Rock Creek and Boundary Fair Association has once again organized two days of family fun at the Rock Creek fairgrounds and several thousand people are expected to enjoy everything the fair has to offer, said Rachel Lotard, secretary of the fair association.
This year marks the 72nd consecutive year the Rock Creek Fall Fair will take place as the first fair was organized back in 1946 and it has been an annual event in September ever since, said Lotard.
More than 10,000 people are expected to take in the competition and exhibits, great food, live music, children’s games and everything else that makes the Rock Creek Fall Fair such a huge success, she said.
This year’s event promises to be even more special because Canada is celebrating its 150th birthday in 2017, she said.
As always, there will be competitions and exhibits featuring area 4-H clubs, agriculture, animals, arts, crafts and hobbies, cooking and preserves, horses and arena events, needlecraft, live music and so much more, she said.
The musical headliner on Saturday night is David James & Big River, who are known for performing one of the most authentic tribute shows to legendary American country music superstar Johnny Cash and his band.
Other performers over the weekend include B.C. country musician Ben Klick, The high-kicking dance troupe Les Folles Jambettes, Cuban music quintet El Grupo Cubano, roots rockers Devon Coyote, B.C. singer-songwriter Eryn Robertson, the husband and wife duo The Cuthberts and Rock Creek blues country trio Golden Bull.
Barrel racing will return inside the arena and The Laughing Loggers Lumberjack Show, which was very popular last year, will also return, said Lotard.
An equestrian gymkhana will take place Sunday morning and early afternoon and there will be a lawn mower race on Saturday evening. Shooting Star Amusements will return and feature midway rides and games, there will be a Poultry in Motion Educational Min-Barn, the Okanagan World of Reptiles exhibit will return, Uncle Chris the Clown will entertain the kids both days and there will also be a gold panning exhibition all weekend.
The Rock Creek fairgrounds are located on the beautiful Kettle River and there are very few fall fairs that can match this venue, said Lotard.
“We’re very fortunate that our association owns and operates the fairgrounds and we always make sure they are in fantastic shape,” said Lotard. “We take on new projects every year and we’re thrilled that we will have new bleachers in place for this year’s fair. It took hundreds of volunteers to get this done, but we never have any problem getting volunteers to come out of the woodwork when we need help on a big project like this.”
The fall fair attracts hundreds of people who grew up in Rock Creek as well as residents from across the region looking to enjoy a great weekend for all members of the family, she said.
“Fortunately, we’ve earned a very good reputation as one of the best fall fairs around and we’re expecting good crowds in the neighbourhood of 10,000 people over two days.”
For more information, go online and visit www.rockcreekfallfair.com.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
