IPE to go ahead as planned

The Interior Provincial Exhibition will be going ahead as planned next week in Armstrong.

Heather King, fair general manager, made the announcement Wednesday.

“After careful consultation with the Province of British Columbia, local governments, RCMP and fire officials, the IPE & Stampede is proceeding with our annual event Aug. 30 to Sept. 3,” King stated.

“At every planning stage the IPE & Stampede follows a safety-first approach to ensure our guests, volunteers, and community remain safe.”

Organizers had considered cancelling the event due to the wildfires in the region and the air quality issues.

“Our thoughts are with those communities and families who have been affected by the evacuation alerts and orders,” King added.

This will be the 122nd edition of the Armstrong fair, which returned after a two-year COVID-related absence last year.

For more information, go to armstrongipe.com

IPE to make decision this week on fair’s status
Aug. 21, 2023

The wildfires in the Okanagan and Shuswap may impact this year’s Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong.

IPE general manager Heather King told Vernon Matters, discussions are being held on the status of the event set for Aug. 30 to Sept. 3.

“We’re currently in consultation with the province and local officials. I’ve talked to the mayor, fire and the RCMP, and we’re just trying to figure out what’s best,” King said.

King said organizers expect to make a decision on the fair’s status in the next few days.

Events like the UBC-Alberta college football game at the Greater Vernon Athletics Park, the 2900 Plaza in downtown Vernon and the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival have recently been cancelled or shut-down early due to the impact of the fires and the poor air quality.

This would be the 122nd edition of the Armstrong fair, which returned after a two-year COVID-related absence last year.