Local fairs and festivals get provincial funding boost

The B.C. government is providing almost $1.2-million to help two dozen fairs, festivals and events resume in the North Okanagan and Shuswap.

Vernon-Monashee NDP MLA Harwinder Sandhu said community events bring locals and tourists together and also provide important economic benefits.

“I’m excited to see all of these event organizers getting the support they need to keep our communities vibrant, and want to send a special thank you to the folks who run the IPE who worked so closely with our team and government to see these supports through,” said Sandhu.

Twenty-four fairs, festivals, and events in the area will share in the recovery funding. That includes the Interior Provincial Exhibition and Salmon Arm ROOTS and BLUES Festival which both got $250,000, the Greater Vernon 2022 BC Winter Games, the Lumby Family Days Festival, the Okanagan Military Tattoo and the SilverStar Bike Fest.

The complete list is below.

(Image credit: B.C. government)

These fairs, festivals, and events are among the 680 events across the province supported by the BC government’s investment. The government is providing nearly $30 million in one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event are up to 20 per cent of the total event budget, up to a maximum of $250,000.

Among the Kelowna events getting funding are Rock The Lake at $145,100, AltiTunes at Big White with $106,755, the Spartan Race Kelowna at Big White with $120,800, the Gold BC championship, McKenzie Tour PGA Canada event at $77,000 and Kelowna ComiCon with $25,421.

To see the complete 681 event provincial list, click here.

Successful recipients demonstrated the economic and social benefits of their event, as well as strong local or regional support. Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.

Sandhu said since the beginning of the pandemic, the New Democrat government has worked closely with B.C.’s tourism sector and provided $225 million in support to ensure businesses and non-profits can continue to draw visitors and benefit local communities for years to come.