Bulkley Valley Agricultural & Industrial Association
Our office is open June till the end of August,
from
9 am to 4 pm,
Monday to Friday
Phone: 250.847.3816
PO Box 2281, Smithers, BC
V0J 2N0
Email: bvfair@telus.net
Officers for 2010
President · Anita Tomayer
Vice President · Gordon Kerr
Secretary · Lois Taylor
Treasurer · Darlene Mendel
Coordinator
· Cindy Savage
Assistant · Meghan Hidber
Directors
Jason Boonstra, Harry Houlden, Glen Kerr, Lindsay Howard, Sally Koch, Angelika Langen, Judy Meerdink, Patricia Steiger, Steven White
Honorary Member
Graeme Johnstone
A Special Thank-you!
We thank our many volunteers and sponsors, as well as the Town of Smithers, without which the fair would not be a success.
Aims and Objectives
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To inform the public on the importance and benefit of agriculture to the environment in northwest British Columbia;
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To encourage the cultivation of the soil and all the things pertaining to the industries of agriculture and horticulture;
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To support the development of youth and leader skills through the 4-H program; To provide a forum for technology transfer for agriculture producers;
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To provide a facility for commercial exhibits to enhance the businesses of the region;
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To provide entertainment to attract the public to the fair; and
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To assist smaller fairs in the region in their development.
President's Message
After the celebration of the 90th Anniversary in 2009, plans for this year’s Fair seem a bit restrained. Last year saw quite a few special events to mark the event. The Red Hat Ladies served tea and cookies; the Mayor and other politicians helped serve “Birthday” cake; people were in 1919 costume all over the grounds and many other “old-time” reminders set the stage. We had a ball.
Now we are on the count-down to the 100th and it is not too early to start planning. However, in the meantime, we have fairs to plan and decisions on how we are going to make Agriculture a meaningful focus for the community.
We will welcome the first Open Dairy competition in a long time. Dairy farmers contribute much to the economy of this valley. Many of you have enjoyed watching the Milking Demonstration over the years and learned that there is more to your glass of milk than buying it at the store.
The Beef, Goats, Sheep, Swine, and Poultry and Rabbits as well as the 4-H continue to be a focal point of our Fair. We have Horses in all sizes at the Fair and they contribute greatly to our economy as well. In the Trainers Challenge, you will have the opportunity to watch as three trainers tame 3 untrained horses over the weekend.
Of course, we have all the other wonderful events that add to the Fair: the Stage entertainment, the Hall displays, Commercial Exhibitors, the Rodeo, Shooting Star Amusements, Food vendors, Logging Sports and the BC Championship Draft Horse Pull.
Maybe your “wonder” isn’t agriculture. We fully expect people to focus on our wonderful mountain or the beauty of our streams and rivers, etc. But we also hope to raise your interest in the economy, logistics, and contentment of living in this wonderful community. What is your WONDER? Is it your wonderful neighbor who comes to help in good times and in bad? Is it the wonderful town where you live and shop?
Did you ever wonder how much money is spent on veterinary services and supplies? Do you wonder how many cattle are actually raised each year in the valley? How about wondering about how many vegetables and fruits are grown on local farms and in back yards. Do you “wonder” how much agriculture spends in the community in order to contribute to the economy? We hope to answer some of your “Wonders” this year.
We are a Volunteer driven organization. We certainly
“wonder” where all of our volunteers come from and
we appreciate their help. It couldn’t be done by the Fair
members alone. We “wonder” how our sponsors can be
so generous and supportive year after year. We think it is
our community with its agricultural roots that prompts that
response year after year. We salute you and count you
among our “Wonders”.
It will be very interesting to see the Parade entries this year. We hope you “Wonder” enough to participate in the 2010 Fair in August.
See you at the Fair.
Anita Tomayer - President