What’s Happening at the 2014 Salmon Arm Fair
It’s almost that time again. On the Friday, Saturday and Sunday after Labour Day, Salmon Arm’s hive of activity is at the Fairgrounds. This traditionally agricultural fair has a tremendous family and community spirit, sure to please everyone. This year’s attractions and events are many and varied. They even include lawn tractor racing, performances by great entertainers, Shuswap Idol, exhibitions of the best the Shuswap region has to offer, and the 100th anniversary of the 4-H program in BC.
And of course, the carnival rides, games and concessions that no fair can do without.
A Little Fair History
Since it started in 1897, the Salmon Arm Fair has been about bringing the Shuswap people together. It has remained consistently focused on local agricultural products and endeavours, the best livestock, home arts, crafts, entertainment, and fun for the entire family. It also has a history of memorable events like “Best Loaf Made By a Man”, logging demonstrations, horseshoe competitions, tug of war, dog shows, even a fiddler competition.
Gordon Priestman once wrote in the Observer in 1973,”The fair is for everyone. And the more of us get involved, the better it will be.” This is still true in 2014.
The 2014 Salmon Arm Fair Will Feature…
• A full array of classic rides for children and the whole family, like the Ferris Wheel, Bumper Cars, Berry-Go-Round, the Helicopters, the Space Train, and those always charming carousels.
• The big thrill rides for the adventurous adrenaline junkies. Rides like the Kamikaze, the Lightning Bolt, the Zipper and Zero Gravity.
• Wristbands that entitle you to ride all day long. Normally $35 but buy in advance from Askews stores in Salmon Arm and save $10! That’s right, only $25 for all day rides! You can also buy regular ride tickets and save money when you buy them in books.
• Entertainment from renowned Canadians like Larry and Jane Stephenson and Sound Machine. Enjoy the guitar sounds of Peter Clark, or the band Dale Seaman and Highway 97 from Penticton, along with Shuswap’s very own band Seal Skull Hammer. You can also cheer for your favourite singers in Shuswap Idol.
• The traditional and ever-popular horse shows, beef cattle, sheep, alpacas, llamas, goats and more.
• Contests and exhibitions in wine, photography, dairy, flowers, fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, baking, home canning, even scarecrows. There will also be children’s events involving Lego, crafts, vegetables and baking.
• For the kids, Shooting Star Amusements will even offer a Colouring Contest, Carousel Horse Decorating, and Make a Memory Box.
Salmon Arm Fair 2014 Celebrates 100 Years of 4-H in BC!
The great 4-H program has been in BC for 100 years helping young people grow in knowledge, leadership, confidence and civic spirit to become productive, self-assured adults. 4-H stands for Head, Heart, Hands and Health.
Young people enrolled with 4-H will be showing off their skills with livestock, community service, earning certificates and badges, scrapbooks and educational displays. There will be many events and activities run by and for 4-H: a livestock stall competition, special classes in the livestock competitions, even its own photography contest.
Salmon Arm is a simple daytrip from Vancouver and Calgary, and even shorter for those in the Southern Interior of BC and the Okanagan. Don’t let your summer end without heading to Salmon Arm for one of Canada’s greatest fairs.
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