PGX Less Than 4 Weeks Away

By 250 News

Prince George, B.C.- Hard to believe, but  the PGX  will  get underway in  just three and half weeks. PGX General Manager Terry McConnachie  says everything is falling  in to place "The weather is the only thing I can't  buy,  put on order, or  request from a non profit group, but if we could  have the kind of weather  we  had the last two years, that would be great."

Last year, the PGX had a record 44 thousand  people go through  the gates.  That should have put the  "X" in a great financial position, but a  lawsuit from the previous  amusement rides  provider depleated any profits that could have carried the "X" through  this year. 

As a result,  the PGX has  had to  go out, "With Stetson in hand" says McConnachie,  trying to raise some extra dollars to  ensure  the annual fair  could be held.  The response has been positive, with the City of Prince George providing a $45 thousand dollar loan, the Regional District of Fraser Fort George  coming across with a grant of $10,500  and the "X" now  just waiting to hear  if it will be allowed to  hold a 50-50 draw during the  event.

There are some changes this year, changes meant to   address the financial challenges the PGX is facing.  The changes include charging kids aged  4-12 a toonie for admission on Kid’s Day Friday,  that used to be free.  The free child age limit has been  changed,  it used to be  kids under 5  got in free any day, now its  3 and under.  The dance ticket prices have been boosted to $15 dollars from the previous $10.

You can still cut some corners on admission by buying advance tickets, or, if you wear a cowboy hat on opening day Wednesday you will trim $2.00 off the regular posted gate admission price.  All admission tickets include HST.

The PGX is the region's largest and longest running family event.  A catalyst for tourism, the PGX has invested in Prince George, attracting millions of tourism dollars into the community each year and is the highlight of the summer.

The 98^th edition  of the “X” is expected to attract  up to 400 teams of “team penners” and  dozens of bull riders as well as competitors in the draft horse, light horse  and livestock competitions.

McConnachie says she's become a little superstitious over the years "I have worn the same pair of Sketchers for the past  two  exhbitions and  we had great weather both years, so  I am  wearing them again, holes and all, hoping  the weather will  be  good for this year's event."  The Prince George Exhibition opens on Wednesday August 11th  and runs through  August 15th.

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