There will be no Mutton Bustin’ at the Ag Society grounds this summer, as the 2023 Cochrane Fair has unfortunately been cancelled.
In a statement on June 19, the Cochrane and District Agricultural Society (CDAS), which puts on the summer shindig every year, announced that after “a considerable amount of discussion and contemplation, the Cochrane Fair Committee and the CDAS Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2023 Cochrane Fair.”
The society cited an ongoing capital project as one of the final nails in the coffin for hosting the popular event this summer.
“Construction of the highway overpass, ongoing traffic congestion and related site construction on the CDAS fair grounds has resulted in many challenges directly impacting this year’s fair,” it stated.
Construction on the overpass at Highway 22 and Highway 1A is in full swing, resulting in considerable delays in all four directions.
The statement goes on to make an “extremely important” clarification, which is the Cochrane Classic Bull Riding event will still proceed as planned on Saturday, July 29.
The committee and the board of directors of CDAS thanked sponsors and “everyone in the community for their support and interest in this year’s fair.”
Refunds will be made available shortly for those who have purchased tickets or signed up for events. Details will be posted on social media and the CDAS website.
“The fair will be back, and we look forward to welcoming you, our community, to next year’s 2024 Cochrane Fair,” the statement concludes.
Cochrane Fair general manager Lenore Oler was not available for further comment as of the Eagle’s press time on June 19.
Cochrane Tourism executive director Jo-Anne Oucharek called it an iconic event and that it’s unfortunate to see it called off this year. However, she said it was the right decision given some of the logistical challenges that would have emerged.
“Yeah, it's unfortunate, the big weekend celebration with all of the amenities that happen,” she said.
“But with what's happening with the construction, it was going to be difficult for them to manage it because the construction crew is basically taking over the parking area. So where do you put all the people and how do you do that?
“So I know it was a very difficult decision for them, but it's probably the right decision just this year, and we'll be excited to bring it back next year, bigger and better with the new amenities that are going to happen.”
Editor's note: The cancellation of the Cochrane Fair was announced after the completion and submission of another Cochrane Eagle article, published in this week's Summer Explorers guide for Great West Media, was written about what the fair would offer this year.
