On Sunday, September 8, The TR Days Society hosted the annual Tumbler Ridge Fall Fair out at the Tumbler Ridge Fairgrounds.
It was also the grand opening for the fairgrounds. While there have been events hosted there over the past year, the fairground is now finished. There’s power to the stage, and the beer gardens and children’s area are finished, too.
To christen the new stage, two area bands performed. First up was Mechanical Botanicals. The local band did two sets, the first featured James and Lydia Mannion doing a solo set with James playing guitar. After a short break, the rest of the band joined them on stage for a slightly louder set.
After they were finished, Dawson Creek’s D-Cline and the Slopes took to the stage to perform two sets of music, old and new.
Between the two, a series of dignitaries—from Mayor Darryl Krakowka to Chetwynd mayor Allen Courtoreille—gave speeches to commemorate the day.
Lisa Risvold was there as a representative of Conuma Resources, who have been a key sponsor for the project. “At Conuma we’re proud to be part of the community and we know that not-for-profits and volunteers are what truly make communities great,” says Risvold. “There are over 125 families, small businesses and community organizations that have contributed to the fairgrounds and that’s a very impressive partnership. The District of Chetwynd donated the carving that is keeping with the theme of prehistoric times. Terri (Cosgrove) was one of the first people I met when I started working for Conuma and she shared her vision of the fairgrounds and all of the amazing activities that would go on here and I thought ‘we have to support this. We have to support her.’ Terry and her family, they’ve invested their heart and soul into the fairgrounds and into all the events that happen here. She makes Tumbler Ridge so special for children and families and you can just listen the laughter and the yelling in the background which is amazing. If you haven’t gone to the park, I encourage you to do so. The attention to detail is impressive but not surprising. The Ridge Rotors helicopter again shows the partnership and all the community collaboration and the dinosaur that Jarbas created.
“Tumbler Ridge is the best place to be at Halloween and Christmas. It’s a great place to be for a child and for all of us. I’m looking forward to enjoying my first Grizfest here. That’s going to be another really special occasion. We’re just so happy and we’re looking forward to many wonderful years to come to enjoy this space. So thank you Terry and everyone who made this possible.”
Roxanne Fowlow from LaPrairie Group of Companies also spoke. “Tumbler Ridge plays a key role in LaPrairie’s history and current operations,” says Fowlow. “We began our crane services at Flatbed Creek in 1982 and we’re proud to have been able to sustain our services and commitment to the community for over 42 years. We have since expanded to all western provinces which we’re very proud of but Tumbler Ridge remains one of our main areas of service.
“Tree donations have been a long legacy of LaPrairie in the communities where we work and live. The tradition was started by Scott LaPrairie’s, mom Colleen Clark back in Ontario where she coordinated the planting of 400 crabapple trees in recognition of Canada’s centennial day and we’re proud to continue that legacy. We have done donations in Tumbler Ridge at three different locations. Our first donation was near the Town Hall and the Credit Union. Our second one was at the skate park and this is our third donation. We have provided 40 trees, four large and 36 smaller ones in addition to four custom benches that are on order and soon to be arriving. Contributing to our town is an honor and a privilege and we look forward to future opportunities to support our local initiatives here. Again congratulations, thank you for the opportunity and enjoy everyone.”
The Tumbler Ridge Community Forest also contributed towards the project, and Chris Norbury was there on behalf of the organization. “This space is more than just a fairgrounds—it’s a place where memories will be made, communities will come together, and traditions will be born,” says Norbury. “We’ve always believed in the power of bringing people together, and this fairground is a testament to that belief. We are thrilled to see the TR Days Society’s vision come to life, and we’re even more excited to see how each of you will make this space your own. Whether it’s through family fun, cultural and musical events,or community celebrations, we know this fairground will be a hub of joy and togetherness for years to come.”
Jerrilyn Kirk from the Tumbler Ridge Chamber of Commerce says it’s incredible to see how far the fairground has come. “From a simple seed of an idea to the beautiful and thriving space we’re standing in today.
“When Grizfest was unable to happen due to a lack of funds, the idea for the Tumbler Ridge Fairgrounds began to take root,” she says. It was like a seed, planted in the TR Days Society Committee’s minds, that started to grow with the care and dedication of a passionate gardener. That gardener was none other than Terry Cosgrove.
“Terry saw the potential for this space to cut the costs of setting up music festivals, community events, and so much more. She didn’t just dream it—she nurtured it, and with the support of this amazing community, she helped it flourish.
“Of course, a seed doesn’t grow on its own. It needs water, sunlight, and the right environment to thrive. That’s where the District of Tumbler Ridge came in, leasing the land to the Tumbler Ridge Days Society so that this fairground could be developed. The Tumbler Ridge Community Forest who provided funds to get this project going. NDIT provided funding that built much of the Fairgrounds. Without the DTR, Community Forest and NDIT, this project may not have happened. And I have to say, it was a privilege to be part of this journey as the Chamber Executive Director and Grant Writer at the time.
“We faced our fair share of challenges—tight timelines, grant applications that seemed daunting at times, and the task of turning ideas into concrete plans. There were moments when the road ahead felt steep, and the obstacles seemed numerous. But every challenge was met with determination and a shared belief in what this space could become. We had to envision what the fairgrounds would look like, what was needed, and how to make it all a reality—essentially, we had to bring our collective dreams to life.
“And then, there were all those who put in the time, energy, and resources to see this seed grow into what we see today. I want to give a special thank you to Gerald Lindburg and Lindburg Construction, long-time Tumbler Ridge Chamber members. Gerald made the commitment to build these fairgrounds just before the price of lumber skyrocketed, taking on financial loss to ensure this project could move forward. Without that kind of dedication and sacrifice, we wouldn’t be standing here today. This fairground is more than just a plot of land; it’s a testament to what can happen when a community comes together to water, tend, and nurture a shared vision. It’s the result of countless hours of hard work, words of encouragement that kept the momentum going, and the unwavering dedication of Terry Cosgrove.
“Now, how do I even begin to describe Terry Cosgrove? Terry is the heart and soul behind this project. From hosting toy bingos and dances to raise money, to constantly coming up with new ideas and asking, ‘Do you think we could get a grant for this?’—and me saying, ‘I’ll look for something!’ Terry has been a relentless force of positivity and determination. And let’s not forget the fabulous Blunden Halloween Haunt, just one of the many events that Terry has organized to bring this dream to life.
“So, what does a fairground mean to Tumbler Ridge? It means a space where we can gather, celebrate, and create memories together. It’s a place for music festivals that bring the town alive, weddings, for community events that strengthen our bonds, for markets, fairs, and all the moments that make life in a small town so special. This fairground will be a hub of activity, a place where dreams can continue to grow and where the seeds we plant today will bloom into something extraordinary for years to come.
“As we stand here today, looking out at this amazing garden— this beautiful fairground—I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who played a part in bringing this project to life. Whether you contributed time, money, ideas, or simply words of support, you helped nurture this seed into the thriving space we now have.”
Also speaking was the lead singer of the band Haven, Mike Bernier. He, too, extended accolades to Cosgrove. “Terry, thank you. I’ve seen you moving and blushing and moving and blushing, but the accolades are well deserved because it takes people in communities to not only have the foresight, but to have the passion in order to move things forward. So thanks to you and to everybody who’s been involved in making today what today really is, because this is such an important thing.
As a musician myself, I love seeing venues like this, because anything we can do to have opportunities to bring people together, to get out as a community, to support each other, whether it’s friends and family. This to me is what it’s all about. I know we’re going to have amazing opportunities and a space we can use this for years and years to come. So thank you to everybody who was involved.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
