9 Chilliwack festivals and events receive thousands in provincial recovery funding dollars

More than $200,000 in provincial funding has been allocated for 11 festivals and fairs in Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs and Agassiz.

The BC New Democrat government’s Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund will help events resume not just here, but across the province, said New Democrat MLAs Kelli Paddon and Dan Coulter.

“People are eager to get back out into their community and safely enjoy their favourite festivals, fairs and events. These grants will help ensure that beloved events like the Chilliwack Fair and the Chilliwack Rodeo can come back strong in 2022,” said Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack.

Two local events which will receive the most funding are the Chilliwack Fair ($52,950) and the Harrison Festival of Arts ($51,350). Here are the festivals, fairs and events in Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs and Agassiz that will receive funding:

Chilliwack Fair - $52,950

Chilliwack Rodeo - $12,520

BCHL Showcase - $31,630

Chilliwack School of Performing Arts production of SpongeBob the Musical - $23,000

Curl BC 2022 Open BC Seniors’ Championship - $8,650

Loop the Vedder Trail Half Marathon, 10km and Kids Run - $4,000

Peaks-N-Valleys Event Co. Limited - Thursty Elk 25k & 5k Backcountry Trail Run - $3,700

2022 Cultus Lake Triathlon - $17,000

Around the Lake Give ‘R Take 30 Trail Race - $3,800

Harrison Festival of Arts - $51,350

Agassiz Fall Fair and Corn Festival - $16,188

READ MORE: B.C. doubles COVID-19 relief fund for community festivals, events

“Arts and cultural events allow people to express themselves and their passions, and benefit us all by boosting our local economies and creating a sense of community. I’m especially looking forward to seeing my kids as a part of the SpongeBob Musical this coming year,” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent.

These fairs, festivals, and events are among the 680 events across the province supported by the BC New Democrat government’s investment. The government is providing nearly $30 million in one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event are up to 20 per cent of the total event budget, up to a maximum of $250,000.

Successful recipients demonstrated the economic and social benefits of their event, as well as strong local or regional support. Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the New Democrat government has worked closely with B.C.’s tourism sector and provided $225 million in support to ensure businesses and non-profits can continue to draw visitors and benefit local communities for years to come.

To see the list of recipients for the Fairs, Festivals, and Events Recovery Fund, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/BCFFE_Funded_Events.pdf.