PXA READYS FOR EVENTS
Princeton Exhibition Association met February 8 at the Bey residence to review this yearıs major events. Reports from user groups indicate solid planning early in the year.The first event is Canadian Pro Rodeo which takes place on May 14 and 15. Stan Thompson, Rodeo Club President, reported everything is going smoothly, with the bonus of a new sponsor, Lyle Kurtz, who is paying the added purse of $3,000 for the team roping event. Fall Fair members will run the concession.
The next event will be the Motorsports day on June 12. Motorsports President Vern Preston says plans are going ahead well. Some help will be coming from a former racer from out of town who is lending his expertise to help Princeton Motorsports.
Racing Days President John Bey reported the financial situation looks pretty good for races to be held on the Canada Day weekend. The actual race date will be Thursday, June 30th with an afternoon/early evening card of between 6 and 8 races.
Fall Fair President Jody Woodford reported on Fall Fair plans. She said committees will be formed at the February 22 meeting, as planning moves forward for the September event.
Treasurer Ruby Bey was pleased with the level of use of the agricultural barn this winter. Revenue from rental of the barn space during the past two months has nicely covered expenses.
John Bey told members the PXA now has a tax number so that those who donate time and equipment use to improving the fairgrounds will receive a tax deductible receipt.
Bey gave an update on grounds conditions. The grounds are not open for use at this time, but will be available as soon as the snow is gone. He reported he is awaiting news regarding the major grant the PXA has applied for, but does not expect to hear anything before March. Grounds work will begin in March and he hopes the money will be available at that time.
There was some discussion of the break-in and theft of tack from the agricultural barn, but President Jody Woodford said she had not been contacted by the RCMP with any update. The investigation is continuing.
HORSE RACING RETURNS TO PRINCETON
Live horse racing returns to Princeton's Sunflower Downs on Thursday, June 30th. The date was chosen to not conflict with live racing at Exhibition Park in Vancouver - where many of the horses will be coming from to race locally.The one day event will feature between six and eight races with minimum purses set at $4,000 per race.
The race meet will start with the first race to start at 4:00 PM with the final race expected to be completed by 9:00 PM.
The Racing Days Committee met last Thursday night in Town Hall to decide on the race date and to discuss some of the committees needed to organize the event.
Local community groups will be approached to provide additional manpower to host the afternoon of racing.
Princeton Racing Days will meet again on Thursday, March 3rd at 7:00 PM in Princeton Town Hall.
The group says support from the community has been great so far.
LET'S PLAY PRINCETON CONCERT JOINS RODEO
Princeton Dairy Queen owner and concert promoter John Babiak has announced plans for his next big music festival.OLet's Play Princeton Concert & Pro Rodeo is how Babiak is promoting the event which will feature a huge country music concert on the evenings of Friday, May 13th and Saturday, May 14th at Princeton Fairgrounds.
Bands confirmed to appear as part of the OLet's Play Princeton Concert line up include Emerson Drive, Tracy James, Duane Steele, Ken McCoy and the Cruzeros.
Babiak says there will also be a featured local artist or two.
Tickets for the concert will be available locally starting February 25th at locations to be announced.
Tickets will also be available through TicketMaster with early bird pricing.
The concert is planned to coincide with Princeton's CPRA Pro Rodeo set for the weekend of Saturday, May 14th and Sunday, May 15th at Princeton Fairgrounds.
The rodeo will feature five major events with $1,500 purses including Saddle Bronc, Bareback, Bull Riding, Tie Down Roping and Steer Wrestling.
Other events will be Ladies Barrel Racing and Team Roping. The main stock contractor is C+ Rodeos and the Princeton Pro Rodeo will be part of the Duane Daines Saddle Bronc Series.
Slack is scheduled to run the morning of Sunday, May 15th.
Princeton Fall Fair Association will manage the concession.
The OLet's Play Princeton Concert & Pro Rodeo will likely become an annual event.
FALCON RESPONDS TO COUNCIL
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon followed up his January 12 meeting with Council with a letter received January 31.In that letter, he states he has directed Ministry of Transportation staff to "look into the issues you raised" and will report back to Council in the near future.
The issues were a light for pedestrians crossing Highway 3 from Vermilion Avenue to Burton Avenue, and a safe Highway 3 crossing for users of the TransCanada Trail.
