Every summer around this time, I’d normally be settled in at the Northwest Roundup & Exhibition in Swan River, looking forward to a few great days of catching up with friends, taking in the rodeo, watching the chuckwagons and chariots, and, of course, enjoying way too much fair food.
But we all know this hasn’t been a normal year.
With the devastating flooding that hit the Swan Valley, it completely makes sense why this year’s Northwest Roundup & Exhibition had to be cancelled. While it’s disappointing to miss one of my favourite events of the summer, it’s a reminder that some things are much bigger than a fair.
What I’ll miss most isn’t even the entertainment. It’s the people. Every year, it feels like you can’t walk more than a few steps without running into someone you know. Whether it’s a quick chat, sharing a laugh, or catching up with people you haven’t seen in months, that’s what has always made the Roundup so special.
My thoughts continue to be with everyone in the Swan Valley and all of the communities that have been affected by the flooding. I hope recovery continues to move in the right direction and that families, businesses, and organizers can slowly get back on their feet.
The Roundup will be back, and when it is, I have no doubt the community will make it one to remember. Sometimes you don’t realize how much an event means until it’s not there.
Next summer we’ll all be back in Swan River, cheering on the rodeo, watching the chuckwagons thunder around the track, grabbing our favourite fair treats, and catching up with familiar faces once again.
We’ll miss you this year, Swan River, but we’ll be back—and we’ll celebrate bigger and better than ever.
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