Rock Creek Fall Fair returns for 81st year with ‘Gold Pans & Cattle Brands’

The midway lights up at the Rock Creek & Boundary Fall Fair in 2022. The fair returns Sept. 19 and 20 for its 81st year.

Photo: Shara Cooper/Boundary Sentinel

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ROCK CREEK — An event that drew more than 11,000 guests last year returns to Rock Creek in September, bringing two days of livestock, exhibits, horse events, live music, midway rides and Saturday-night lawnmower racing.

The Rock Creek & Boundary Fall Fair returns Sept. 19 and 20 for its 81st year, this time under the theme “Gold Pans & Cattle Brands.”

The Rock Creek & Boundary Fair Association says more than 11,000 guests attended the fair’s 80th anniversary celebration in 2025.

This year’s fair will again put agriculture at the centre, with open and 4-H livestock competitions, beef and sheep classes, poultry, rabbits, horse events and agricultural exhibits alongside baking, preserves, flowers, vegetables, photography, art, crafts, sewing, quilting and other competitions.

The fair traces its history to 1946, when the first event was held as a one-day agricultural exhibition at the community hall along the highway.

It has since expanded to two days and moved onto roughly 60 acres of grounds with barns, an arena and exhibition buildings. The association says the event continues to be organized and presented almost entirely by volunteers.

Sheep are shown in the livestock area at the 2022 Rock Creek & Boundary Fall Fair. Agriculture, livestock and 4-H competitions remain a major part of the annual event.

Photo: Shara Cooper/Boundary Sentinel

SuperDogs, music and Motor Madness

There is plenty planned beyond the exhibition buildings.

The Official SuperDogs are scheduled to return with their Bow Wow Factor show on both Saturday and Sunday, although performance times have not yet been posted.

Uncle Chris the Clown will be in the Kid Zone from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, while more than 200 squishy toy pigs, ducks and chickens will be hidden around the grounds for children 12 and under to find. Children who find one can take it to the information booth for a reward.

Horse events, livestock competitions and the fair’s distinctive Saturday Night Motor Madness lawnmower races are also included with admission.

The entertainment schedule is already taking shape.

Vancouver Island-based Eagle Eyes, an Eagles tribute band, is booked for 7 p.m. Saturday.

Kelowna alt-country and roots group Dirt Road Opera performs at 2:15 p.m. Saturday, while Wild Mountain Sage Drum Group, Nelson musician Brooklyn Rae and several dance groups are also on the Saturday bill.

Sunday performers include the Joshua Smith Trio, Holly Hyatt and Jon Burden, the Boundary Linedancers, Boundary Belles and Westbridge-based Rhone Rangers.

The Boundary connection runs throughout the entertainment schedule.

The Boundary Linedancers began at Westbridge Hall in the winter of 2023-24 and include dancers ranging in age from 10 to 78, while Les Folles Jambettes — a local cancan group founded in 1997 — will perform on both days.

Shooting Star Amusements will also return with rides and a midway.

The midway is scheduled to operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. The fair has not yet released final 2026 ride and wristband pricing.

Boundary residents can enter, too

The fair is also taking entries now from people who want to compete rather than simply attend.

Online exhibit registration opened Aug. 1.

Entries range from livestock and farm produce to flowers, home cooking, canning, wine, photography, crafts, needlework and children’s exhibits.

Animal, poultry and livestock entries are due Sept. 10, while other exhibit entries close Sept. 15.

A colouring contest is underway ahead of the fair, with categories beginning at age four and extending through adults.

Entries must be received by Aug. 28, with winners scheduled to be announced Sept. 10 and all entries displayed in the exhibition hall during fair weekend.

Prizes include ride wristbands, admission passes and food vouchers depending on age and placing.

The contest rules require original hand-coloured work and specifically prohibit digital enhancements and AI-generated entries.

50/50 could reach $60,000 for winner

Another of the fair’s major fundraisers is also underway.

Tickets are being sold for the sixth annual Rock Creek & Boundary Fall Fair 50/50, with the winner eligible to take home as much as $60,000.

Tickets cost $10 each, with 12,000 available.

The draw has grown considerably since it began.

According to figures published by the association, winning shares increased from $31,425 in 2021 to $45,000 in 2024 and $55,880 in 2025.

The association says its share of this year’s proceeds will go toward replacing aging fairground infrastructure, including livestock panels, pens and gates, poultry cages, main-stage flooring and weather covering and the arena announcer’s booth.

Online 50/50 sales close Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. In-person sales continue until 2 p.m. Sept. 20, with the draw scheduled for 4 p.m. that day.

Tickets now on sale

Advance general admission went on sale Aug. 16 and will remain available through Sept. 16.

Adult, youth and senior advance tickets are $2 below regular gate prices, before GST and applicable fees.

At the gate, Saturday admission is $20 for adults, $15 for youth ages 13 to 18 and $15 for seniors 65 and older.

Sunday prices fall to $18 for adults and $13 for youth and seniors.

Children ages six to 12 are $5 either day and children five and younger are admitted free.

Midway rides, food and purchases from vendors are not included in admission.

The gates open at 7 a.m. both days, closing at 9 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. Sunday.

Camping will also be available around fair weekend on a first-come, first-served basis beginning Sept. 16, with separate rates for Blaine Memorial Park and the Wilderness Campground.

The fairgrounds are at 3880 Kettle Valley Road South in Rock Creek.

The association is continuing to add information to its 2026 schedule, so some event and midway details may still be updated before opening day.