Editor's note: Now includes full story.
The Grand Forks and District Fall Fair may be happening earlier in 2013 but organizers still expect all will have a great time.
The fair has been moved up from September to late-August (Friday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 25) and Grand Forks and District Fall Fair Society President Jason McIver said that contrary to rumours, one of the biggest draws the past two years – the mini chuckwagon races – will be taking place.
“They’re coming for Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 24 and 25) with six teams from Alberta,” McIver said.
In addition, McIver says the B.C. Country Music Association (BCCMA) is on board with BCCMA 2012 female artist of the year AJ Woodworth and Grand Forks’ own Amanda Thate amongst those performing at this year’s fair.
The fall fair board said that it is gearing this year’s fair more towards family and youth and to that end,
McIver is introducing a survivor event for children 12 to 16 years old.
He didn’t want to get into details about the events involved, as he didn’t want to give any of the competitors an advantage, but said it would be an intense competition with the field being narrowed to three contestants who would vie for top prize.
McIver also said that the beer garden will be moved from the Dick Bartlett Park area, across the street to the bar area above the curling rink.
“John Zibin (of The Source) is going to try to hook up a camera to (one of the screens) so people inside can watch the music play out there,” explained McIver.
There will also be, what organizers are calling, a cupcake walk, which is like musical chairs, and Uncle Chris The Clown, The Mad Hatter Show featuring Gary Badke, and Honk The Hobo will be there to entertain as well.
Potato sack races, ice cream and watermelon eating contests will be available for the young ones.Children aged five to eight years can also enter a draw in the months leading up to the fair with a chance to be fair royalty.
“This is a (draw) that’s beginning now. The pictures will be in the programs, which should be out (this) week. There’s a picture kids can colour and they drop it off at A&W or the Farmer’s Market. It’s not a contest but it’s a draw,” said Deborah Nickiford, one of the organizers, adding that a young girl and boy will be selected as mini queen and king of the fair.
“They get a whole bunch of nice prizes and they ride on the (parade) float,” she said.
McIver asked that everyone head to the fall fair between Aug. 23 to 25.
“Come and support Grand Forks,” he said.