Interior Provincial Exhibition still taking entries for return of Armstrong Fair

Photo: File photo

There is still time to be a part of the IPE.

The Interior Provincial Exhibition, also known as the Armstrong Fair, returns to the North Okanagan Aug. 31 to Sept. 4.

The fair, first held 121 years ago, was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

IPE president Heather King says organizers have extended the deadline for people to submit entries to the fair, which attracts thousands of people to the community.

People can fill out an entry form online to display their photography, vegetables, hand-made items, baked goods and more.

You can enter in more than 19 divisions, and entrants will receive a five-day gate pass.

Fairgoers can also check out the two-day artisan market, which is a new event this year.

While the fair is going ahead full steam this year, it is still feeling some of the after-effects of the pandemic.

King says there will be fewer vendors this year than the IPE has had in the past.

“COVID was really hard on people. Some of the vendors we used to have are not around anymore,” said King.

Another challenge is the COVID-induced disruption of the supply chain that has impacted some of the vendors that simply don't have items to put on display this year.

“Will there be as many vendors at 2019? Probably not, but that's OK. It is going to look and feel different, but we are still going to have everything agricultural which we are so proud of.”

There will still be farm animals of all descriptions and the midway will also be setting up at the fairgrounds.

The food court will be running at capacity, and the four-day rodeo and one-day professional bull riders event are also a go. Tickets are on sale now.

For more information and to enter an exhibit, visit the IPE website.