This ain’t their first rodeo

Dawson Creek attracts thousands to its annual exhibition

Imagine this: You're watching some fantastic chuckwagon races on a bright August morning, fully enthralled by the Wild West atmosphere—until your growling stomach tells you it's lunchtime. You grab some summer standards like corn on the cob and potato salad and wash them down with a delicious milkshake. Throughout the afternoon, you browse a large trade and art show before reliving your youth on a ferris wheel ride. After the sun sets, you grab a dinner consisting of fair classics like nachos, poutine and fresh mini-doughnuts. The day draws to a close as you watch an impressive fireworks display.

You must be at the Dawson Creek Exhibition.

The 2011 exhibition is taking place from August 10 to 14, and it promises to attract a wide variety of fun-seekers—from children to wranglers competing on the Canadian Professional Rodeo Tour.

"In Dawson Creek we have 12,000 residents (and) 30,000-plus that come to the event, so our town is full," said Connie Patterson, the president of the Dawson Creek Exhibition Association. "This is the 89th year that it has run—it's a tradition."

The attendees come for the carnival provided by West Coast Amusements, the parties hosted by oil and gas companies and the many rodeo-related events. They come for the talent competitions, the live music performances and the agricultural shows with their numerous livestock categories. A large number of community groups and volunteers keep the exhibition running smoothly.

"We call it the greatest show in the Peace," said Patterson. "I like to say it’s where the oil industry, forestry and agriculture meet to celebrate our western heritage."