When the Hixon Fall Fair and Parade returns on Friday, Aug. 8 and Saturday, Aug. 9, it’ll be the first iteration of the yearly event to take place since substantial renovations were completed at the town’s community hall around 60 kilometres south of Prince George on Highway 97.
Pat Suter, the treasurer for the Hixon Community Association, told The Citizen in a July 22 phone interview that thanks to some grants they were able to put in an air conditioning system in the Hixon Community Hall for the first time as well as LED lighting.
On top of that, a raffle held at last year’s fair help with renovations to the roof and ceiling and over the next couple of weeks the outside of the building is set to get a fresh coat of paint.
“It’s our only major fundraiser for the year,” Suter said. “That helps to pay for our hydro and our gas in the building. We can apply for grants for different things, but grants are very specific as to what you’re to use them for so we still have to pay for utilities and stuff.”
The fair starts on Friday from 3 to 7 p.m., with a market and various exhibitions at the community hall.
On Saturday, Highway 97 as it goes through Hixon is shut down to allow for the parade to start around 10 a.m., with floats making the trip from the Whistle Stop Pub to the community hall.
The hall then opens for business around 11 a.m. that day.
The vehicles in the parade can be a simple as a tractor driving along the highway to more complicated floats.
“The last few years, we’ve had a float from Quesnel,” Suter said. “And we’ve had some drummers come out and drum in front of the parade when they walk down.”
Among those with floats is Suter herself, who said she’s contributed one for the last 12 years. On her float is former long-time Hixon resident Helen Cruise.
“She moved to Prince George a few years ago with her husband and he’s passed,” Suter said. “She’s 92 years old and she had a stroke earlier this year, but she’s willing (to participate). She’s been in rehab and she now walks with a walker. She’s excited to be on my float again.”
Suter expects friends of Cruise’s from Prince George to come down to Hixon for the parade. There are also a lot of people driving through who don’t realize the highway will be temporarily closed.
Some decide to watch the festivities while others make a point to come back next year.
Among the attractions at this year’s fair are a silent auction, draws, a bouncy castle, a gaming trailer and a duck race where wooden ducks are placed in a creek and sent flowing down the stream.
As in previous years, the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum will be present with its Cottonwood Express minirail train for people to ride.
Kids can buy a $20 wristband that gets them a hot dog, a freezie, a juice box, a ride on the Cottonwood Express, all-day access to the bouncy castle and a race in a race car.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of volunteers this year, the fair won’t be hosting a dance on the Saturday night after the 5 p.m. roast beef dinner.
Instead, some comedians have been hired to provide entertainment from eight to 10 p.m.
Fair organizers are still looking for more volunteers to help set things up, monitor the bouncy castle and clean up.
Those interested in helping can call Suter at 250-961-2707 or email [email protected].
