55th annual pro rodeo remembers a legend
Come check out all of our exhibits at the NV Fall Fair. We are located just past the rodeo grounds on Lindley Creek Road.
FLOWERS Extravaganza of Colour
WINE FORAGE & CROPS leadership, he was chosen by the Merritt and District Chamber of Commerce as ‘Citizen of the Year’ in 1983. “Al was the driving force behind the whole project,” said longtime rodeo association member Elaine Gill. “His vision and determination were an inspiration to everyone who worked alongside him.” The high regard in which Al was held throughout the community was evidenced by the amazing amount of ‘work-in-kind’ he was able to garner from generous local companies and businesses, which in turn would allow for successful grant requests from several different levels of government.
STUDENTS Elementary and Secondary
PHOTOGRAPHY Time Held by a Photo
HOMECRAFTS Handcrafted Ideas
HOBBIES For the Hobby Enthusiasts
PET SHOW Smallest, Best Dressed, Unique, Best Trick, & more!
DA I RY G OATS, SH EEP & SW I N E P O U LT RY & P IG EON S R A BBI TS, C AV I E S & H A MS T ER S For Animal Lovers
Come out to the Fall Fair Building and help us wrap up the 2013 Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Rodeo Weekend NICOLA VALLEY FALL FAIR
COUNTRY DANCE Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013 : 9 pm to 1 am
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
J Ro b W ig io ns
Support your Cents!
The Freshness of the garden o in a jar.
Baking Contest, Commercial Booths, Tractor, Old Car & Farm Equipment Displays.
D
Bring the whole family for Pancakes, Eggs & Sausage.
CANNING
Come down and check out all the exhibits on August 31st & September 1st
ith
(by the NV Memorial Arena)
A Show of Great Gardening
A Picturesque Group of Artists
w
in the Aquatic Centre Parking Lot
An Aromatic Group
FINE ARTS
A Hayday of Farm Products
See ‘Byer’s legacy’ Page 4
Saturday, August 31: 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
BAKING
FRUITS & VEGETABLES
4H CLUB C
Chemistry in a bottle
Weekend Don’t Miss Rodeo Merritt Centennials Pancake Breakfast
Adults $7 Kids/Seniors $5
Saturday: noon to 8 pm & Sunday: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm
o om t y e our hi gh boo -p ts ow on er d pa ow rty n in ’!
On March 8 of this year, the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association lost one of its founding members — a man much-loved, respected and revered by all those who had the privilege and good fortune of meeting and getting to know him. Joseph Allen Byer, or Al as everybody knew him, was born in Princeton on July 9, 1930, and raised in the nearby mining community of Copper Mountain. His love for the outdoors, for horses and for cowboying began early, and resulted in him working on a ranch outside of Princeton for several years. He often told people that he was “born in the wrong era, a few generations too late,” and that he should have been born during the time that the horse and buggy reigned supreme and before the invention of modern machines. It was during his time in the Princeton area that Al met a pretty gal by the name of Vera Dinsdale. They married on Aug. 15, 1953. In 1957, Al and Vera moved to Merritt and raised a family that would include one son, Wayne, and three lovely daughters, Connie, Debbie and Linda. For the next 35 years, Al worked as the owner/operator of Mountain Trucking Ltd. and was also employed
summer of 1983, and the existence of these magnificent facilities to this day. In honour of this achievement and Al’s incredible
rs
sports@merrittherald.com
by Weyerhaeuser as a bush foreman and with the Department of Highways. During those years, Al was never very far away from the range, from cowboying and from rodeo. He loved to spend time in the saddle at the many ranches around Merritt, and very quickly became involved in the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association. When his two youngest daughters, Debbie and Linda, joined high school rodeo, Al wasted little time before he, too, was an integral part of the organization. He would go on to serve as president of B.C. High School Rodeo for a number of years, and as the B.C. director to the National High School Rodeo Association. Al and Vera loved nothing more than hauling their girls round to rodeos all over the province and watching them compete. And when grandchildren started arriving a few years later, it was just another opportunity for the two of them to jump back into rodeo with both feet. In 1981, Al became the president of the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association, a position he would hold for the next 19 years. It was Al’s vision, perseverance and tenacity that led to the total re-construction of the Nicola Valley rodeo grounds in the memorable
SATURDAY, AUG. 31 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 1, 2013
Sc o
THE HERALD
38th ANNUAL FALL FAIR
fo
By Ian Webster
Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association presents the
FOR MORE INFORMATION PHONE 250-378-7270 OR 250-378-9929
PLAY THIS RODEO/FALL FAIR TRIVIA AND
WIN $50 CASH Sunday, 38, tractor, 1990, indoor plumbing, rigging, Bernardin, 55, piggin’ string, cloverleaf, hazer .
NAME: ______________________ ADRESS: ____________________ ______________________________ PHONE NUMBER: _____________ RULES: Complete the sentences found in each ad by matching a possible answer provided, with the incomplete sentence. Drop your entry form off at the Merritt Herald, 2090 Granite Ave. before 5 p.m., Thursday Sept. 5. Winner will be drawn 9 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, 2013. Employees and family members of the Merritt Herald are not eligible for this contest. Don’t delay, fill it out...drop it off for your chance to win $50!
1
21
Rainbow the Clown performed at the Fall Fair for the first time in _____. S AUTO DC from the people 4 52 3& LAUD ER ST - BAY
ExpertDiagnosis
who care about your car.
250-378-2929
2
The _____ rides beside the steer wrestler to keep the steer running straight.
1. ___________ 2. ___________ 3. ___________ 4. ___________ 5. ___________ ____________
4
The Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo as been around for _____ years.
The Copper Valley Man
POSSIBLE ANSWERS :
REPLY COUPON
7
6. ___________ 7. ___________ 8. ___________ 9. ___________ 10. ___________ 11. ___________
Bareback Riders squeeze their hand into a _____, an old suitcase-like handle.
NICOLA MOTORSPORTS
Come Check Out Our Showroom
250-378-5104 • 2151 COUTLEE AVE.
8
The Fall Fair Association began holding monthly yard sales to help raise funds for new ________ in the Fall Fair building.
The Nicola Valley Fall Fair is celebrating their _____ th anniversary.
NICOLA VALLEY RADIATOR Big or small we fix them all!
No heat?
Try Flushing BEFORE REPLACING
• A/C & coolant flushing • Full service & repair of air conditioning units • Recore & Repair radiators
2775 Marian Avenue, Merritt
9
• Custom built radiators • Heater cores: new and recore • Flushing (power)
250-378-1366
The NV Fall Fair holds their annual country dance on _____night.
We sell the best, for less less..
250-378-5817 • 2051 E Voght St. (Corner of Nicola & Voght) Tuesday - Saturday, 10 am - 5:30 pm
2626 Nicola Ave. • 250-378-2416 5
COPPER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD.
10
Ladies barrel racers run a _____ pattern.
Coyote Collision Private Insurance Claims Accepted
2338 Nicola Ave. 250-378-2030
3
Each year there is an old _____ and old car show at the fair grounds.
Serving the Nicola Valley since 1960. 1301 Nicola Ave. 250-378-5121
www.marios-towing.com
6
11
Tie-down ropers use a _____ to tie the calf’s three legs.
((250)378-9241
2676 Nicola Avenue - Toll Free: 1-888-292-1581
The _____ canning competition can be found in section D of the entry catalogue.
FRANK’S MECHANICAL SERVICE www.merritt.ca
OLD OR NEW WE HAVE WARRANTY APPROVED MAINTENANCE SOLUTIONS FOR EVERYONE
Whatever your ttaste, t whatever h t your adventure, d t tth the Cit City off M Merritt offers a blend of country fun, an urban life-style, and outdoor adventure. Located at the heart of the Coquilhalla Highway and gateway to BC’s interior is the City of Merritt.
PROUD SPONSORS OF THE NICOLA VALLEY PRO RODEO
2026 Mamette Avenue • 250-378-1322
O
VA L L
E
Y
N
SATURDAY, AUG. 31 & SUNDAY, SEPT. 1
1ST AVE.
GARCIA
BY ST.
GRIEG ST.
CL
CHESTNUT LANE
Y ST.
CHESTNUT AVE.
MID DA
Merritt’s own Jayson Charters
HILL ST.
N ST.
BEER GARDEN 12 - 7 PM DAILY
D.
MORRISLE
ASPE
On-Site Concessions & Vendors • Lions Club • Wild Cactus BBQ • Maggies Bannock • Spun Sugar
LI NDL EY C RE EK R
HAMIL TON
VE. FIR A
BIRCH AVE.
COUTLEE AVE.
COLDW ATER A VE. RD AVE .
S LIAM WIL CR.
T.
SPRUCE AVE. WALNUT AVE. FIR AVE.
RODEO GROUNDS
QUILCHENA AVE.
PARCEL ST.
ETT S
ST. GOVERNMENT AVE.
M
NICOLA AVE.
GRANITE AVE.
CLEAS
AVE.
CANFO
WILSO N ST.
HICKS
COLL
Wild Cow Milking
Ranch Hand Saddle Bronc Competition
P IN E
Equipment Displays
MAIN
ST.
Children’s Shoe Scramble
M
LANGLEY RD.
CHAPM
Langley Riders Drill Team
SPRING ST.
FAIRWAY PL.
T
NICOLA VALLEY TEAM ROPING FRIDAY, AUG. 30 - 5 PM “NO ADMISSION FEE”
Tickets Ti k t available il bl att the gate, CASH ONLY: 6 & under FREE, Under 12 & Seniors - $12, Adults - $15 For group tickets phone Elaine Gill at 250-378-6827 or Butch Sahara at 250-378-5838 Ty Pozzobon Invitational
THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD BUCKLE SPONSORS:
KICK OFF RODEO WEEKEND, VISIT US ONLINE AT www.nicolavalleyprorodeo.com
McMILLAN
Covered grandstands, handicap accessible washrooms & showers.
GARCIA ST.
YOUR MAP TO THE NICOLA VALLEY RODEO GROUNDS!
ST.
Get'er Done
GATES OPEN AT NOON G
VOGHT ST.
O
LANGLEY
E R O D
CHAPMAN ST.
O
RIVER
R
CLEASBY ST.
P
55
Annual th Pro Rodeo
AN
I
C
L A
55th
38 ANNUAL
th
Nicola Valley & FALL FAIR Local artist falls into inspiration Byer’s legacy lives on in rodeo PRO
ANNUAL
By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
For local artist Jean Kiegerl, inspiration from last year’s pro rodeo for paintings came as a surprise. Kiegerl attended her first pro rodeo with some visitors from Germany over a decade ago, and has been a regular at the Labour Day weekend event ever since. “I was just blown away. It was so fantastic. And it’s been the same every time I’ve gone,” the artist and retired teacher said. But it wasn’t until she was looking through hundreds of photos from last year’s event that Kiegerl saw the rodeo as a muse. And once she saw the blank red wall behind the checkout at the local Purity Feed store, she knew what to do with those photographs. “I thought, art gallery red! As soon as I saw it, I thought,
OK, now I know what to do with those photographs I took. I took them thinking they’d make awesome paintings, but what would I do with rodeo paintings? They’re a great fit for this store,” she said. Kiegerl, who normally paints landscapes and still life, said capturing the motion of the rodeo action on her canvas was a challenge that she enjoyed tackling. “Turns out, it’s like painting anything else,” she said. “The lights go where the lights are, the darks go where the darks are, and there’s a person, a horse, or a bull.” Kiegerl currently has five paintings on display at the store and is looking for partners to benefit from their sale, adding that she’s working with the High School Rodeo Association on a partnership. While the paint may still be drying on the canvases inspired by last year’s events, Kiegerl is
From Page 2
Local artist Jean Kiegerl is a big fan of the Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Pro Rodeo, and will be one of the judges at this year’s art competition. Emily Wessel/Herald
looking ahead to her role in this upcoming weekend’s festivities. This year, she’ll be one of the judges at the Nicola Valley Fall Fair art competition. The traditional agricultural fair has been running since 1913, and features everything from art displays to baked and canned goods to livestock showcases. Kiegerl said in the art competition, she’ll be looking for strong design, technique and presentation.
“Just because you’re an amateur doesn’t mean your work has to look that way,” Kiegerl said. Kiegerl said she looks forward to the Nicola Valley Fall Fair and Pro Rodeo every year, and with hundreds more photos from last year’s event, she said the art possibilities are endless. “And there’s another rodeo coming up!” she added with a laugh.
Despite still working full time during the construction of the arena, grandstands and stabling in 1983, Al would be at the grounds each and every night after work — checking on progress, ‘putting out fires,’ and finding solutions to seemingly impossible problems. The work was far from over at the end of 1983. In the years that followed, there were constant new challenges to overcome. In terms of the rodeo grounds themselves, there were issues over water, the sound system, the toilet facilities, insurance, vandalism and maintenance — the list seemed endless — that had to be worked through and resolved. Every bit as challenging for Al and his rodeo committee was the retaining and constant upgrading of the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo — the flagship event of Merritt’s annual Labour Day weekend festivities. The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, the sanctioning body for the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo, was becoming more and more organized, professional and successful. It was steadily
raising the bar in terms of the standards and quality expected of its scheduled events. Al and the rest of the rodeo association were always there, forever striving to make things better. “I always remember Grandpa wanting things to be better, to be grander,” said his granddaughter Jenny. “He was never satisfied. He wanted the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo to be the best out there — from a competitor’s perspective and from a spectator’s point of view.” Even as it got bigger and better, the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo remained a family affair for Al. Vera and the girls could always be found selling tickets at the gates while son-in-laws Fritz and David were busy working the chutes and the grandchildren were chasing and sorting stock. Al made sure the end of the rodeo always finished up the same way. According to his daughter Connie, when the last cowboy and cowgirl had competed and the dust had settled for the last time, her dad would make his way over to the beer garden to have a well-deserved drink with the rest of his family
and all the members of his hard-working crew. Al stepped down from the president’s position with the Nicola Valley Rodeo Association in 2000, but he continued to mentor and inspire those who came after him — as an endless source of knowledge, wisdom and perspective. Al Byer’s legacy is the magnificent rodeo grounds in Collettville that he was so integral in seeing built. They have played host to countless rodeo and riding events, to the RCMP musical ride, concerts and even the UCL. The grounds continue to be home to the Nicola Valley Pro Rodeo — an outstanding, world-class event that is enjoying its 55th year this Labour Day weekend. It is another legacy that owes so much to the late Al Byer. Perhaps the final words about Al are best left to his granddaughter, Jenny. “There’s so many things I could say about my grandpa. I could go on forever. He was just such an amazing man in his ability to bridge generations. He always seemed so wise, so rational and so selfless. He had some huge boots to fill.” Thanks, Al, for everything.
Pop by, hook up & load up your new trailer! ICBC & PRIVATE INSURANCE CLAIMS
250-378-4628
Located next to Best-Valu Glass • 2663 GRANITE AVENUE • Located next to Fountain Tire
250-378-4531