The Comox Valley Exhibition is celebrating 144 years!!

By Keith and Heather Nicol

Log rolling was part of the high energy Laughing Loggers show

     The Comox Valley Exhibition has something for just about everyone and this year features the RCMP Musical Ride. We had never been to the Exhibition since arriving in the Comox Valley 3.5 years ago so weren’t sure what to expect. And since we had not seen the RCMP Musical ride before this was a definite draw. We arrived about 2:15 pm on Friday and started by hearing some music by ‘Easy Street’ in the food court area while we got oriented.  We noted that there was a Laughing Loggers Show at 2:30 pm followed by a PWA wrestling show at 3:15 pm so headed for that section of the fair grounds. The loggers show featured some modifed chainsaws that would have made Tim Allen proud followed by a log rolling and a tree climbing competition. We normally don’t take in wrestling shows but we had to be impressed by the athletic ability of the ‘wrestlers’ and their air borne moves. 

We were impressed with the athletic ability of the 'wrestlers'

     Then we walked over to see the ‘Rock the Dock’ challenge where dogs were leaping into a swimming pool after their owners threw in a dog toy. At this stage in the competition dogs were getting a chance to practise the event. The finals are on Sunday afternoon and no doubt this will be a real crowd pleaser. 

Rock the Dock will be the place to be on Sunday for the finals

     There is also a kids area with lots of different activities for children. Nearby is the barn which includes various  livestock that were competing and the curling rink has been turned into a Home and Garden show. There is an art show by Joan Larson of the RCMP Musical Ride and a quilt show of a huge number of beautiful quilts . As well there is a competition for baking, vegetable growing and flower arranging .  There was one tomato the size of a small watermelon that impressed us.  On the grounds is also a heritage farm equipment display and over the next couple of days special events will be on  tap including an extreme zucchini race, a fun run for kids, a classic car show and much more.

   Our final event on Friday at 6:30pm was seeing the standing room only presentation by the RCMP and their Musical Ride. This musical precision show of horsemanship has a history of well over a hundred years and is very impressive and is a must see.  The 32 riders meet individually with the audience at the end of the show which adds a special touch. 

The RCMP Musical ride is a unique demonstration of syncro horsemanship

  The Comox Valley Exhibition runs until Sunday August 26 at the Exhibition Grounds in Courtenay. For more information and schedule of events  see: www.cvex.ca.   There is certainly lots to see and do. 

The RCMP Musical ride ends with the riders meeting the audience