The 2012 Guide to B.C. Fairs and Exhibitions is a directory of 57 celebrations of local foods, entertainment and community across B.C. between May 6 and Sept. 24, and it is available now.

B.C. Fairs and exhibitions are a great place for families to connect with experienced farmers, meet young 4-H club members with a passion for food and farming, or experience the thrills and excitement of the rides and midways. Fairs around B.C. also offer events like wagon rides, cow-milking demonstrations, lumberjack games, performing pets, skateboarding exhibitions, fireworks and concerts.

B.C.'s fairs are a great place to explore the wide range of local foods and to meet and connect with the people who grow and make them. Visitors can sample the fresh foods of local farms, enjoy the high-quality products of the region's food artisans and experience the newest and the next food trends. Many of B.C.'s food entrepreneurs begin their journey of success with a booth at a local fair.

The guide profiles fairs throughout B.C. - including the Haida Gwaii, North, Cariboo, Kootenays, Okanagan, Lower Mainland and Vancouver and the Gulf Islands. Complimentary printed copies are available at more than 300 visitor information offices, on BC Ferries routes, at BCAA travel offices, and the Vancouver International Airport. The guide is also available through: www.bcfairs.ca

Quotes:

Minister of Agriculture Don McRae -

"A trip to the fair often leads to lifelong memories of excitement, fresh foods and petting zoos. B.C.'s fairs also offer the chance to share the connection between local food and people, and celebrate the unique spirit and pride of each of our communities."

B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions president Leah Hryko -

"We are very proud of the 2012 Guide to BC Fairs and Exhibitions; our full-colour magazine is free to the public and provides in-depth information about the wonderful agricultural fairs and community festivals taking place around our province."

"This unique publication also features stories about our industry partners and highlights events that are celebrating a milestone anniversary."

Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA) executive director Candice Appleby -

"B.C. Fairs provide the opportunity for companies to showcase their products and collaborate to create value that extends beyond the individual business."

"Our members' high-quality products can be found at community fairs, local retailers, farmers markets, farm-gate venues and on the menus of many restaurants throughout the province.

"The SSFPA advocates that adding value to primary agriculture products provides for local employment, local taxes and resilient communities."

Quick Facts:

• About 1.6 million people visit a B.C. fair each year, and thousands of British Columbians volunteer at them.
• The first fairs of 2012 are in May, and include:
• Quesnel Spring Fling Fair, May 6
• Silver City Days, Trail, May 8-13
• Rutland May Days, Kelowna, May 17-20
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, May 18-21

• The guide also includes short profiles on fairs celebrating their 100th birthday in Prince George and Aldergrove.
• The oldest fair in B.C. and Western Canada is in Saanich at 145 years.
• Quesnel's Spring Fling is B.C.'s newest fair, with the inaugural event this year.

• B.C. agri-food producers and processors generated $10.5 billion in revenues in 2011, and directly employed more than 61,000 people. B.C.'s Agrifoods Strategy details a plan for the industry to grow to $14 billion a year by 2017.

Learn More at:

The 2012 Guide to B.C. Fairs and Exhibitions is also available through: http://bcfairs.ca

A schedule of fairs in B.C. is at: http://bcfairs.ca/2012-FAIR-SCHEDULE-page-154.html

Small Scale Food Processors Association: www.ssfpa.net

B.C. Agrifoods Strategy is available at:

http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/agrifoodsstrategy.html

Media Contacts:

Sharon Dean
Ministry of Agriculture
250 580-6456

Janine Saw
B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions
778-574-4082

Candice Appleby
Small Scale Food Processors Association
1 866 547-7372