Armstrong Fair

I have taken the challenge from Kath, aka storyboat to write a blog A-Z. So for better or worse here is my first effort.

Armstrong Fall Fair, or to give it it's real name these days… The Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE)… is the second largest fair in the Province of British Columbia. Bested only by the PNE in Vancouver. The Fair is held in the City of Armstrong every Labour Day weekend and lasts for 5 days finishing on the Sunday night. And a fair is nothing without a Parade, and this Armstrong has on the Saturday morning with entries, not only local, but from far and wide up and down the Okanagan Valley. This year will be the 116th edition of the Fair which showcases all things agricultural and country oriented, along with a midway, trade stalls selling everything one never really wanted, but must have if the sellers are to be believed, a professional rodeo every evening and two music stages along with other entertainment shows around the fairgrounds… ie. Lumberjack, Iron Chef etc… The main music stage is set up at the food court where one is able to tickle ones palate with tasty treats from around the world. My own favourite must have bite is a Horse Blanket… a kind of deep fried dough dusted with powdered sugar… For me the Armstrong Fair for me is sitting in the food court enjoying a horse blanket or two, listening to a great variety of music and maybe fighting off a few unwanted wasps… The Fair is The Big Event in Armstrong which has a population of around 5000 and is surrounded by the agricultural Township of Spallumcheen which is home to another 5000 people. Last year, over 147,000 people passed through the gates of the fairgrounds over the 5 days of the Fair. Our little city was bursting at the seams…  There are those who moan and complain at fair time, but to me, every town should have at least one attraction to bring in the visitors to boost the local economy and for Armstrong, The Fall Fair is that one Big attraction. Long May It Remain So!