The rain might have come down in buckets on Saturday night, but it did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds at the 123rd annual Gilbert Plains/Grandview Agricultural Society Fair and Rodeo, July 14 to 16, in Gilbert Plains.

Heading into the weekend, organizers made some changes to the popular event to make it attractive to even more people, and it paid off in the end, according to society president Kevin Boese.

“I think it’s probably one of the best fair and rodeos that I’ve seen since I’ve been involved there,” Boese said. “We had great attendance, parking lots were packed full of cars, the stands were full the entire weekend, with the exception of the rain, I guess. But other than that everything was perfect.”

One of the major changes made was the expansion of the chuckwagon and chariot racing from two days to three. The reason was to provide extra entertainment on Friday when there is normally a lull following the parade.

Additionally, the Manitoba Pro Chariot and Chuckwagon Association prefers to have a three-day show, something which does not happen a lot, according to Boese.

“Talking with the association after, everybody loved it. They said it was really great having a three-day show. As far as the crowds go it was great. We had full stands. Everybody loves the chuckwagons and the chariots and everybody came and watched. There’s always something going on there with the wagons and carts. It’s great to watch and it’s a real thrill to see those horses come around that last corner,” Boese said. “Great crowds, everybody was very involved with cheering and we had quite a few compliments from the chuckwagon drivers. They said there’s not a lot of crowds that get in to it, or as involved as the Gilbert Plains crowd. We’re definitely a great chuckwagon town.”

The car show was also expanded this year to try and attract new people to the grounds, and Boese said that also proved to be a success.

“There was 25 old cars and trucks in the rink there. It was a great success. I would say the craft show was very good, too. Everybody was very happy and there was lots of people that came through,” he said.

But of course the rodeo, as always, was the star of the show, Boese said.

“Other than the rain, it was a great success,” he said. “Sunday afternoon made up for Saturday. The clouds disappeared and it was a beautiful day. It was a great rodeo and the stands were packed full.”

The key to hosting a successful event over the span of decades is the ability to adapt to the times and the changing expectations of crowds, adding and subtracting attractions as necessary.

“We definitely won’t be subtracting anything. There’s a few things that we need to change up and make better, of course. Every year we get suggestions from people that stop by and there’s always more things that we want to add for next year,” Boese said. “We’ll probably have a meeting in about a month and we’ll start planning for next year.”

When it gets to down to it, it is the support of volunteers and sponsors that make the event possible at all, Boese added.

“It takes volunteers and it takes man hours and we seem to get it done every year,” he said. “Without the volunteers this thing just wouldn’t happen. And it’s just amazing. People just show up out of the woodwork and volunteer and make it happen. And a huge thank you to all of the sponsors. Without all the sponsors and the volunteers this definitely would not take place.”