Eighteen agricultural fairs in diverse communities throughout the province and the BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions shared $794,000 in community gaming grants this year, funded by the Government of British Columbia, said Coralee Oakes, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.

Agricultural fairs showcase the economic, social and cultural importance of farming, ranching and agri-business in B.C. Jams, jellies, pies, plants, animals, 4-H activities, product exhibitions, lively music and a colourful carnival atmosphere combine to give these much-loved annual community events a unique identity.

2014 recipients were:

• $151,000 - BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions
• $100,000 - Interior Provincial Exhibition Association (Armstrong, Aug. 29-31)
• $80,000 - Abbotsford Agrifair (July 31-Aug. 3)
• $70,000 - Prince George Agricultural and Historical Association (Aug. 5-9)
• $50,000 - Lower Fraser Valley Exhibition Association (Surrey, May 15-18)
• $42,000 - Arrowsmith Agricultural Association (Coombs, Aug. 9-10)
• $40,000 - Comox Valley Exhibition Association Fall Fair (Courtenay, Aug. 22-24)
• $40,000 - Vancouver Island Exhibition Association (Nanaimo, Aug. 15-17)
• $38,000 - Kamloops Exhibition Association (Provincial Winter Fair, Barriere, Sept. 26-29)
• $35,000 - Bulkley Valley Agricultural and Industrial Association (Smithers, Aug. 21-14)
• $33,000 - Chilliwack & District Agricultural Society (Aug. 8-10)
• $25,000 - North Thompson Fall Fair and Rodeo Association (Barriere, Aug. 30-Sept. 1)
• $22,000 - Dawson Creek and District Exhibition Association (Aug. 6-10)
• $20,000 - Alberni District Fall Fair (Sept. 4-7)
• $16,500 - Lakes District Fall Fair Association (Francois Lake, Sept. 5-7)
• $10,000 - Quesnel Agricultural and Exhibition Association (Sept. 20-21)
• $10,000 - Wycliffe Exhibition Association (Cranbrook, Aug. 15-17)
• $8,500 - Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association (July 26-27)
• $3,000 - Ashcroft and District Fall Fair Association (Sept. 14)

Quotes:

Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes -

"Funded by the B.C. government, gaming grants help diverse local organizations make good things happen for local residents and businesses in communities in every region of the province. Every year, community gaming grants help local volunteer organizations present agricultural fairs that showcase the economic and cultural importance of B.C.’s rural communities. I encourage British Columbians to support these great fairs again next year.”

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick -

“Agricultural fairs build a sense of community, encourage appreciation of area farms and food products, and help local businesses increase local sales. The B.C. government values the roles fairs play in connecting British Columbians with the people who grow our food, and helping families create memories that last a lifetime, and are proud to offer continued funding and support.”

BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions president Ann Siddall -

“B.C.’s Agricultural Fair Associations are characterized by dedicated volunteers; the 2013 BC Fairs Community Impact Study reported provincially 11,500 volunteers contribute 127,000 hours annually to support their local fair. The community gaming grant provides the funding to ensure B.C.’s fairs can continue to deliver broad-ranging programming and events, which capture the imagination of all segments of the population, including urban and rural, young and old, families and individuals.”

Quick Facts:

• Every year, the B.C. government approves $135 million in gaming grants benefitting over 5,000 local organizations representing virtually every community in the province.
• Eligible organizations apply to the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch for gaming grant funding distributed by sectors, including arts and culture, sport, environment, public safety, human and social services, parent advisory councils and district parent advisory councils.
• Gaming grants benefit an astonishing diversity of arts organizations active in the province’s largest cities and sparsely populated rural communities.

Learn More:

To apply for a B.C. community gaming grant, visit: https://www.gaming.gov.bc.ca/grants/index.htm

Check out the Government of British Columbia’s role in supporting sport, arts and culture through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/cscd

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development
250 953-3677