The Vancouver Poultry & Fancy Pigeon Association

Events * Show Reports * Memberships

Show Report
Winter Show Nov. 19 - 21, 2009

The Western Canadian National/CPFA Classic Pigeon show got underway at 3 PM Thursday November 19th when we were able to get into the Ag Rec Buidling at the Abbotsford Fair grounds. We had our work cut out for us with 42 exhibitors entering 937 birds. Along with For Sale and the row for the Best of Breeds, we were looking at 1100 holes to set up.

The club trailer had been brought to the building a couple of days earlier with all our equipment. Ken Chatwin trucked over a forklift from his company to help with the heavy cage moving. The tables were already in the show room as part of the rental (we just had to set them up). We had a good turn out to help and by 7:00 pm we were ready for birds to be cooped in.

Bob Sutherland and his wife Betty arrived around this time with a load of birds from Washington state. Bob did the paperwork for the border crossing and brought entries from 5 US fanciers. Bob Jones, Mr. CPFA, flew in from Yorkton, Saskatchewan and set up his shop taking band orders and memberships over the next 2 days. It was good to see Bob again, he is always promoting the CPFA.

Casey and Jerry Vandermeer along with Peter Plazier made the drive from Edmonton and Gary Keith and Victor Wong drove from Calgary, all arriving Thursday night. Also from Alberta to make the long trip to the show was Art Vanderberg from Lethbridge. We want to thank you for taking the time and effort not to mention expenses to support our show. It was great to see you all again.

Friday morning, we started the judging, Orrie Moore went off to judge the flying birds and Dennis Manning started on the fancy section. Recording for Orrie was Ken Chatwin and with Dennis, was Murray McAllister. Both very active members of our club. Around 5 PM. with the day behind us, everyone was welcomed to a wine and cheese evening by Ken and Elaine Chatwin sponsored by Compass Cladding (Ken's company). Ken & Elaine have been doing this each year at our show and it has been very well received. With the extra visitors in town this one was exceptional. Just a nice time to sit with friends along with some very good wine and nibblies. Ken also brings smoked salmon that he makes himself, which is excellent.

Saturday morning, we continued with the judging. At this time, Orrie judged the cropper breeds and Dennis finished with the last of the fancy birds. We had 80 American Show racers entered and these were judged by Willie Helpern from Qualicum Beach, B.C. Dennis Bray from Washington was on hand to do the American Rollers and our own George van Vliet judged the various Syrian breeds that were entered. The final awards were done by Orrie and Dennis in the afternoon, leaving everyone a little down time before the banquet, that was held that night at the Best Western Hotel.

We would also like to thank Gary Owen for his role as club photographer, Tracey Morrison for making sure we had food, coffee & cold drinks available for the 2 days and Susan Krochter who held down the club table for us, making entry changes, collecting entry fees and promoting the banquet tickets. And, of course, the 42 exhibitors who made it all possible.

Thank you,

Murray McAllister