Riders hold on to their seat as they ride the dragon during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Territorial Days

Northwest Territorial Days on now

Aug 16, 2024 | 12:28 PM

The Northwest Territorial Days tradition continues as the fair brought fun, food and flair to the 137th running of the summertime event.

Visitors take a swing during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Throughout its history, there were only two occasions when it wasn’t held – one for the North-West Resistance and the other for Covid. According to Jocelyn Ritchie, general manager for the Battlefords Agricultural Society, the first day saw a record number of people attend.

Fair goers take a break for a bite to eat during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“It was up significantly from the first day last year so, that’s always a good thing,” she said of the roughly 4,000 strong attendance.

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“It was family day yesterday so there was lots of people on the grounds with their kids.”

People line up for a fair favourite during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Ritchie explained that while some of the previous events like chuckwagons aren’t part of this year’s experience, there are some new surprises.

“We’ve have different rides than we’ve ever had here, which is awesome,” she said.

Two-year-old Jack Taylor and Carey Menssa watch a horse show during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Some really good major rides that we’ve never seen here before, and I’ve been here over 20 years.”

According to the general manager, while the fair offers entertainment for residents, it also has a major economic impact on the local community.

Fair goers glide during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“When we have the fair here, there’s people that work here for two weeks prior to and probably at least two weeks after,” she said.

“We have lots of local organizations that their major fundraising is at the fair for this year, so they count on the fair every year.”

Jenna Chapman and Emma Gubbe take home first place in Junior Pairs during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

When Ritchie thought of everyone involved in putting on the event, from vendors to participants to volunteers, its over 3,000 people.

“Some of them, they stay in the hotels, they buy their groceries, they buy their fuel – the midway buys all their diesel in town,” she said.

Kaitlyn Rak and her partner Splash compete in the Extreme Dogs competition during the Northwest Territorial Days fair on Thurs., Aug. 15. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“It’s a great impact on our community. It also brings everyone together, everyone looks forward to it in the summer.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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