Alex Huber and his board of directors wanted to Go Big! at the 2014 British Columbia Northern Exhibition.
And by all accounts that was accomplished in the 102nd version of the four-day fair at the exhibition grounds, surpassing 2013 attendance totals.
"We had 42,000 people walk through the gates in 2013, but we had more than half that attendance on Saturday alone with 22,000 people," said Huber, the BCNE president Sunday afternoon amidst the sweet smells of mini doughnuts and cotton candy wafting through the air. "We'll be over 50,000 for sure. Today [early Sunday afternoon] there's already 15,000 people here.
"It's a resounding success. I had people tell me they didn't get to see it all in one day, so they came back for a second day. People are happy as I'm doing my rounds and the kids are smiling. Senior's Day [on Thursday] was the best ever."
Held under mostly warm, sunny skies (there were a few weather challenges early Friday but it turned into a beautiful day), the BCNE lived up to its 2014 theme of Go Big! It expanded to include something for everyone, from the midway and arenacross, to the always popular agricultural events as well as a master chef competition.
New to the fair this year was the Northern Taste Challenge, where guests found celebrity chef Bob Blumer hosting a professional and amateur chef's challenge at Kin 2 arena.
"There was never anything for adults before, but Bob Blumer drew them in," said Huber. "They were drawn to the monitors."
There was also Heritage Lane that honoured local history. Huber said it was the perfect set-up with the pig and duck races drawing people into the area adjacent to the midway.
The new arenacross track that was built outside beside CN Centre attracted between 800 to 1,000 people on both Friday and Saturday as 50 motocross riders tested their skill on a variety of table tops, bumps and jumps.
Huber was ecstatic with the agricultural events including barrel racing, the angus cattle show, heavy horse pulling, gymkhana, team penning and especially as 4-H celebrated its 100th anniversary in Canada.
"The 4-H kids did an amazing job and we plan to grow the angus cattle show next year," he said. "We had 60 team penners, that's 240 riders rounding up 300 head of cattle. The horticulture entries - there were way more than last year - there is such amazing talent in this town.
"Everything went without a hitch."
Local entertainers showcased their talent on the community stage, while the Stetson Stomp, a licensed dance Saturday night at Kin 3 arena, attracted 350 people without any problems.
Huber said he was at the grounds until 2:30 a.m. cleaning up after Stetson Stomp and was back at 6:15 a.m. Sunday for the pancake breakfast.
"There was a two-hour lineup and it raised $4,800 which all goes to 4-H," said Huber. "It started at 8 a.m. and the lineup never stopped."
But Huber knows the success of it all wouldn't be possible without the help of his dynamic board of directors and volunteers who return year after year.
"I have an amazing board who are fairly young and have some dynamic ideas," he said. "We have out-of-town volunteers who book their vacations around it [the BCNE]. The entire community pitches in."
Huber added he was only worried once when he arrived on the grounds at 7 a.m. Thursday and not everything was set up prior to the gates opening at 10 a.m.
But it all fell into place.
"It's because most of the people who volunteer, they know what they're doing and stuff comes together," he said. "By 10 a.m. everything was done. I don't know how it happened, but it did."
If the 2014 theme was Go Big!, Huber says just wait until next year when the BCNE will expand to five days to celebrate the city's centennial.
"Maybe our new slogan for 2015 should be Go Bigger," he chuckled.
