A little rain didn't seem to hurt the Chilliwack Exhibition, as thousands packed into Chilliwack Heritage Park over the weekend.

While exact numbers were not yet known on Monday, event co-ordinator Wendi Prinse said early indications were that while attendance was down a little on Saturday, higher than expected numbers on Friday helped the fair.

"We're really pleased. In spite of the rain on Saturday, it looks like our attendance numbers are up," said Prinse.

She estimates that around 25,000 people took in the fair, which included a BCRA Rodeo, agricultural exhibitions, music, a midway and dozens of other attractions.

And for organizers and Chilliwack residents who had been labouring during days of hot, muggy weather, the rain was actually a relief.

"It had been so hot and so muggy, we saw people and they were outside with umbrellas in the rain," said Prinse.

The fair officially kicked off with a celebrity goat-milking competition--won with ease by Chilliwack MLA John Les, who filled his bucket and then some.

But for the real star power, you had to take in the Team Roping competition in the Rodeo, during which Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who hails from Anahim Lake in the Cariboo, traded his skates in for cowboy boots and his stick for a lasso to compete.

"I know we had some enthusiastic fans who were coming just to see him in the roping competition," said Prinse.