PGX Provides Loads of Fun
Sunday, August 12, 2012 @ 4:50 AM
Prince George, B.C. – This is the final day of the Prince George Exhibition, both in terms of this 100th anniversary event, and in terms of its name. Next year it will be called the B.C. Northern Exhibition.
We wanted to share a few of the sights associated with this year’s show, including, at the top of the page, the 4H barn and one of its occupants who didn’t appear that pleased at having his picture taken.
Of course one of the big events was Friday night’s incredible fireworks show (pictured to the right) which was held at the
soccer fields across from the Exhibition Grounds. By all accounts the 25-minute show was one of the best, if not the best, that this city has ever seen.
soccer fields across from the Exhibition Grounds. By all accounts the 25-minute show was one of the best, if not the best, that this city has ever seen.
The exhibition also features many home-crafted products, things like preserves, knitted 
goods, artwork of many types, and an interesting display of tapestries and home-made quilts (pictured to the left).
goods, artwork of many types, and an interesting display of tapestries and home-made quilts (pictured to the left).
And finally it came as a totally unexpected surprise while touring the various barns and petting areas to run across one of the more antiquated of barnyard animals that the Ex had
to offer this year. Without a doubt we thought this bird (pictured to the right) looked like none other than Meisner on a good hair day.
to offer this year. Without a doubt we thought this bird (pictured to the right) looked like none other than Meisner on a good hair day.
We wonder what the BCNEx will offer next year.
Comments
First of all I think the PGX name should remain the same. But that is not what my comment is about.
We have been attending the PGX since 1973 and for the most part have found it great entertainment. As we are now senior’s we attend the fair on senior’s day. This year they advertised free entertainment at the “Silver Stetson” stage with the ticket price. Unfortunately, there was no seating to view the stage. We talked to a female board member who told us they would bring seating, which did not happen. it was pointed out to us that there was an ad in the paper telling everyone to bring their own seating. Everyone does not read the paper before the fair.
Many seniors have vision, hearing and mobility problems and would have great difficulty packing chairs along with their walkers, canes, etc.
There was no lack of seating at the beer garden which was about 150 feet away with a large sound tent between the beer garden and the stage. It would have been difficult to see or hear the entertainment on the stage.
When people started taking chairs from the beer garden to sit on, they were told that is was not allowed. The young male security guard was very polite and didn’t argue with the people sitting on the chairs. After the Johnny Cash tribute, secuity came to pick up the chairs and the female security person was very rude.
One would think that on Senior’s Day there would be seating at the “Silver Stetson” stage. Even people with children had no place to sit and of course they would not be allowed in the beer garden.
I realise they need to sell alcohol to make money for the fair, but doesn’t this create another problem? I am sure most people using the beer garden didn’t walk to the fair, so they would have to drink and drive. Some with their children in the vehicle.
Good thing those seniors did not get tasered taking those chairs!
I’m with Ladymw regarding the name change. PGX sounds a lot more catchy then BC Northern Exhibition (BCNE) – kind of runs in with the coal development at Tumbler Ridge back in the late seventies early eighties when it was called BC North East coal (BCNE) some of the coal rail cars still are marked – BCNE – It may be a moot point, but BCNE just robs the fair of it’s individuality.
I heard from more than a few people who were disappointed this year and will not be going back. Glad I saved my money.
@ Ladymw..Just walk around acting like a crabby old cat lady and you can get away with just about anything,I read a story of an ole senior that robbed a bank using his walker as a get away vehicle…and almost got away….
I don’t know if I missed a whole arena, but did not find much in the way of vendors that usually attend these types of events. You know, the ones who sell pots, vegetable dicers and cutters, window cleaning squeeges and chamois, Euro Steam irons etc.
Kin II seemed to be only half full.
We were going to avoid the fair due to the outrageous entry fee but decided to go anyway.
As a family of four we went on kids day so we saved a bit there but if they want their attendance numbers up next year they had better start rethinking that $15 a head! The only thing that made the fair worth going was that my daughter and hubby were on the rides from 10 am – 10 pm.
I was really annoyed by all the smokers on the midway and around the fair grounds. I even saw a PGX board member smoking on the midway.
I was in 4h years ago and I remember the barns packed to the point of bursting with animals! Now there are barely enough for one barn.
The vender selection was pathetic! And the gymnastics was AWOL . The only things that was worth a passing grade was the fire works. They were great! Probably the best light show this town has ever seen (I’m not sure if that was paid for by the generous donation by our local politicians but if it was I’m sure we all would have appreciated a few more pot holes filled than the 1/2 hour firework display).
All in all if next year is anything like this year… Save your money!
To all the bitchers and moaners about what there was/wasn’t at the fair, please step up and help make it happen. Being that it is 99.9% volunteer driven and I was already, with dozens of my fellow volunteers, busy on the pavement all day helping thousands of cars park or cleaning up after you all in the food court – sorry, I didn’t have time and everyone else was pretty much run off their collective feet meeting the needs of tens of thousands of people and animals! Also, if it is too expensive find a way for the fair folks to put the show on for FREE and then it will be FREE for you all also – in the meantime, be grateful for what thousands of others do, every year, for the rest of you – often reaching into their own pocket. The skeleton crew staff sure ain’t overpaid and is most certainly over-worked. Shame on you few negative ninnies – come on over to the majority side and enjoy a once a year wonderful event that has lasted longer than the rest of you will be alive.
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