Photo: IPE

The manager of Armstrong's Interior Provincial Exhibition is calling 2020 a "gap year."

Yvonne Paulson says IPE staff are busy "Covid’izing" ... and "When we do return to the 'new normal' we want you to be confident we have your health and safety in the forefront. When we can open our doors again, we cannot wait to show you what changes we are making to the fair layout and experience."

Meanwhile, the IPE hosts the 4 H BC auction at O’Keefe Ranch on Aug. 29 with Don Raffan conducting a virtual auction of swine and sheep. Bidders can also attend in person to bid on animals raised by the young 4H members. 

The fair is also conducting contests via social media, with a 50/50 progressive draw each week in partnership with the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions and LottoFactory. 

"As the dates of our IPE become closer and closer, we are so disappointed we will not be hosting you at the fair this year!" Paulson said in a press release. "It has been a tough year for our non-profit association. We are like the many of hundreds of fairs in Canada and other events too that cannot have their agricultural events because of COVID-19."

She said the cancellation of the fair has also hit local service clubs hard, as their booths at the IPE are often their largest fundraisers of the year.

The IPE has also partnered with BC Fairs and Buy BC to participate in a kids colouring contest with a theme of buying local and supporting B.C. farms, growers, and producers.

Paulson looks forward to welcoming fair-goers again next year – mark your calendar Sept. 1-5.

"We look forward to seeing you!"