The 71st annual Bella Coola Fall Fair took place on Sunday, Sept. 8 with the theme of “Farmers Matter”.
Under somewhat cloudy skies, a growing stream of fair-goers passed through the main gate to watch the noon parade. The next event to draw a crowd was the Zucchini Races. Spectators witnessed spectacular crashes and hard-fought victories as over 20 homemade zucchini cars competed in dead heats.
By 1:00 p.m. the grounds were thick with people and spectators were filling the stands eager for the loggers' sports to begin. Over the next four-and-half hours, competitors competed for the title of Bull and Lady of the Woods. The addition of pole climbing this year added extra excitement.
For those seeking other distractions, the Fall Fair Exhibition located in Lobelco Hall provided a wide array of produce, canning, flower arrangements, photography, art, craft work and children’s creations to admire. The exhibition is the foundation of the annual fair, where each year one and all are encouraged to enter their best and win cash prizes.
Food was plentiful this year, with seven different vendors offering everything from barbeque to bannock and pie and ice cream. The midway was as popular with the kids as ever, who competed at the various games to win precious tickets to be traded for toys at the crowded prize booth. The train was another popular destination, chugging endless laps around the fairgrounds with smiling riders in tow.
Almost right on cue, the skies opened up just as the Loggers' sports were nearing the end. With surprising speed, the crowds melted away, many taking shelter in Lobelco Hall to take part in the lively auctioning off of donated Exhibition entries.
Also to mention is that Joy MacKay and Janna Meeks organized and hosted a Fall Fair dog show on the day before the fair. It was well attended and a lot of fun. A special thanks to Cornelia Laros who donated cash for prizes and a large supply of homemade dog treats for the lucky dogies!
The Bella Coola Fair Association would like to thank everyone who attended for supporting the 71st Bella Coola Fall Fair. A special thank you to all the volunteers and organizations whose contributions make the annual event possible.
Dog show results
Participants and their humans
-Nova with Shannon Lansdowne
-Riley with Caroline Granander
-Scotti with Lexi Gunderson
- Loki with Krista Gale
-Tuppy with Ramona Jadine
- Beve Marley with Barbra Schooner
-Eevee with Faith Schooner
-Nukka with Mack Meeks
-Tinkerbell with Angela Bauer
-Pippy with Pippy’s mom
Dog show winners
Best trick: 1) Nukka, 2) Eevee and 3)Nova
Most original trick: 1) Eevee, 2) Nukka and 3) Beve Marley
Best groomed: 1) Tuppy, 2) Nova and 3) Pippy
Best themed costume: 1) Loki and 2) Scotti
Best original costume: 1) Eevee, 2) Tuppy and 3) Scotti
Longest ears: 1) Beve Marley, 2) Tinkerbell and 3) Riley
Shortest ears: 1) Nova’s pups, 2) Eevee and 3) Beve Marley
Longest tail: 1) Loki, 2) Nova and 3) Tinkerbell
Shortest tail: 1) Scotti, 2) Tuppy and 3) Nukka
Tallest dog: 1) Loki, 2) Tinkerbell and 3) Pippy
Shortest dog: 1) Beve Marley, 2) Scotti and 3) Eevee
Winners of the Door Prizes:
Wooden bench, decorative sign and metal art flowers donated by Bella Coola Home Hardware: Brenda Banham.
Portable Tire Inflator donated by the Bella Coola Fair Association: Cathy Robson.
$50 Co-op grocery Gift Card: Shannon Lansdowne.
First collection of saw gear and a waterproof jacket donated by Elcon Enterprises: Ben Sanchi.
Second collection of saw gear donated by Elcon Enterprises: Chelsea Currie.
People to thank:
Steve Waugh, Cindy Evans, Hans and Caroline Granander, Bella Coola Community Forest, BC Hydro Crew, Alberts Repair, Sunder Green, Timea Sliskovic, Thor Diguistini, David Ratcliff, Odin Matthews, Liz Howard and the Zucchini Race Pit Crew, Joy MacKay and Janna Meeks, Nusatsum Fire Dept, Cole Sankey and the Nuxalk Youth Centre, Work BC & Tony Cardinal, The Dennis Family, Cornelia Laros, Cheyenne Anderson all the Game Volunteers, Judges, all the Food Vendors, and everyone who entered in the exhibits, the parade and the competitions; you made the fair exciting!
Exhibit Division Winners;
A- Cut Flowers- Ilma Matthews
B- Potted Plants- Monica Tutt
C- Vegetables- Ken McIlwain
D- Fruit- Lynn Nelson
E- Canning & Preserves- Lorrein Gurr
F- Dairy- (4way tie)- Orion Ford, Meadow Michalchuk, Cornelia Laros, Brian Simson
G- Home Cooking- Vera Robson
H- Needlework & Quilting- Helene Harestad
I- Beer & Wine- Christina Hoppe
J- Photography- Hank Winning
L- Children's- Emma Newkirk
M- Arts Crafts & Hobbies- Dale McCreery
N- Special Contests- (tie) Meadow Michalchuk & Nyomie Newkirk
Overall Child- Emma Newkirk
Overall Adult- Hank Winning
Parade Results:
Floats 1st: Nathaniel Schooner
Childrens Group 1st: Goodacre Farm
Childrens Individual 1st: Cadence Moody
Childrens Individual 2nd: Orson Moody
Valley Ridge Riders Horse Parade:
Pewee Best Costume: Luna Dixon riding Sorrow
Junior Best Costume: Zoe Robson riding Freye
Junior Best Groomed 1st: Lexi Gunderson riding Ocean
Junior Best Groomed 2nd: Grace McCartney riding Valla
Junior Best Groomed 3rd: Mackenzie Meeks riding Tempest
Logger Sports Results:
Bull of The Woods: Eric Collier
Lady of The Woods: Lindsay Gericke
Recipeints of the Scott Moody Memorial Most Sportsmanlike Logger Award: Mariah Mueller and Charles Lister- presented by Cheyanne Moody
Ladies Pole Climbing: Lindsay Gericke
Pro Pole Climbing: Eric Collier
Novice Pole Climbing: Travis Young
Obstacle Buck: Jeff Kloss
Mens Choker Race: Travis Young
Ladies Choker Race: April Mason
Speed Buck: Jason Gunderson
Nail Driving: Marisa Blewett
Horizontal Axe Chop: Eric Collier
Mens Axe Throw: Eric Collier
Ladies Axe Throw: Lindsay Gericke
2 Man Bucking Saw: Eric Collier & Jeff Kloss
2 Lady Bucking Saw: Chantal Rurka & Charmaine Bakhtyati
Jack and Jill Race: Lindsay Gericke and Eric Collier
Mens Firewood Chop: Travis Young and David Robin
Ladies Firewood Chop: Lindsay Gericke & Skye Newkirk
Zucchini Race results:
Pickle Weight:
1st - Vicentico Olivar – “Fastest Track”
2nd - Orion Ford, “Lightning McQueen”
3rd - Alden De Graf – “Ratmobile”
Cruiser Weight:
1st - Mathias Conley – “The Green Car”
2nd - Kristen Volaric – “I Dunno”
3rd - Chase Matuga – “Black Stripe Racer”
Outlaws:
1st - Lexi Gunderson – “Kermit's Dream Ride”
Best Dressed:
1st - Apryl and Sarah Matthews – “Big Frank”
2nd - Cedar Dennis – “Best Dressed”
3rd - NES Grade 5 (Ryan, Naomi, Jace) – “Panda Pop”
Best Crash: Mathias Conley
Thank you to Bella Coola Community Forest who sponsored the Loggers Sports, and also a big thanks to the following supporting sponsors:
A&A Trading, Ministry Of Forests, Probyn Log Ltd., Alberts Repair, Frontier Resource Management, BC Hydro, Mecham Sales & Service, Moody Family, Home Hardware, Black Sheep Timbers, North Falling Operations, Northview Resource Logistics, Black Sheep Brothers, Bella Coola Customs, Lower Dean Lodge/Great Bear Heliski, Tweedsmuir Lodge, BC Wildfire, Elcon Service, WBC Contracting, Hagensborg Shop Easy, Hodgson Freightways, Kopas Store, Tasco Supplies, Nunumus Development Corp, Got Wood Contractors, WL Forestry/Napa, Bella Coola Valley Rentals, Taylor Automotive and All West Freight.
David Stanger is the president of the Bella Coola Fall Fair Association
