North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo Association

Every September Labour Day weekend for more than half a century the North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo turns tiny, friendly Barriere, BC, into a cross between an old-fashioned homecoming and the sort of country fair most folks last saw in a Walt Disney movie.

What will you find at the fair? How about three days of rapid-fire rodeo action, pony chariot and chuckwagon races, an outdoor logging show, heavy horse pulls, equestrian events, 4-H and open livestock and poultry competitions, three parades, roving entertainers on the grounds, a commercial booth area, an exhibition hall fairly bulging with displays of cut flowers, baking, preserves, hobby-craft, art and photography, quilts, plus children’s and group displays.

And, yes, there’s a midway as well, and an open-air stage where the music and excitement continue throughout the day.

When the sun goes down, the adults-only cabaret style dances on Saturday and Sunday evening keep the music going into the night. Youngsters can compete in the talent competitions, everyone can judge the wheelbarrow contests, and young would-be farmers can try their hand at cow milking.

Don’t miss the Children’s Parade and the Pet Parade. Then the big parade takes place on Saturday. Once all the floats, the kids on bikes and the groups on horseback arrive at the fair grounds over the noon hour, official opening ceremonies follow in the rodeo arena and, minutes thereafter, the first day of rodeo action begins.

Plan to spend the whole day at the fair - you’ll find numerous educational exhibits and activities to keep you entertained.

Ample seating in the covered grandstands promises protection from the weather, whether the weekend unfolds under a blazing sun or the occasional shower. There’ll be saddle bronc and bareback riding, roping events, barrel racing and the antics of a rodeo clown who turns bullfighter when the bulls and the cowboys match wit and strength later in the daily show.

From there on through late Monday afternoon, the pace of family-oriented fun seldom slackens. A children’s parade (a shorter route for people with shorter legs - and last minute entries are welcome) starts off Family Day activities, Monday; a children’s Best-Dressed Pet Parade is worth taking a break from rodeo action. See you at the fair!

The town of Barriere offers hotel/motel accommodation and clean, well-kept campgrounds for RVs or tenters. Town merchants get fully into the spirit of the Fair with window decorations and Fair Week specials.

Barriere is 40 minutes drive north of Kamloops, BC, on Highway 5.

Camping on the fairgrounds is available.

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