The provincial government has announced $15 million from its Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund to support 1,114 fairs, festivals and events across BC in 2024 and 2025.
New Democrat MLA Roly Russell noted that funding will help ensure local fairs, festivals and events can provide fun and excitement for residents and visitors alike.
In Oliver funding will go to six events: Half Corked Marathon ($27,200), Meadowlark Nature Festival ($5,300), Nostalgia Wines Show Shine n Wine ($2,000), Okanagan Winter Wine Festival ($4,200), Oliver Triathlon Weekend ($12,900), Pride Winter Ball ($2,000).
Meanwhile in Osoyoos three events will receive funding: Osoyoos Music in the Park ($3,600), Pride Arts Festival ($2,000), Romancing the Desert ($2,500).
“Recent years have been challenging for many of us, and so our fairs, festivals, and events become even more important, bringing our communities together and drawing visitors from near and far to fuel our tourism sector,” says Roly Russell, MLA for Boundary-Similkameen.
“It’s a joy to see these locally-led events across our region get more support, inviting people to come together to connect, celebrate, and discover. Whether it’s athletes at the Oliver Triathlon, chili peppers at the Similkameen Sizzle, or points between, I applaud these groups for their work bringing people together and I’m pleased the BC government is helping out.”
In Boundary-Similkameen, 13 events are receiving almost $70,000 in funding. Since 2021, the province has provided $80 million through the Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund, helping event organizers to overcome ongoing challenges and ensure fun experiences are available for residents and visitors around the province.
Find a full list of events funded see here.
