The date may have changed but the Salmon Arm Fair remains rooted in tradition.
In it's 125th year, the 2024 fair takes place on the Aug 23-25 weekend. Fair manager Jim McEwan is hopeful the date change will allow more families to take in the fair on the Friday, and give summer vacationers a chance to do the same throughout the weekend.
While the fair may be a couple weeks earlier than usual, organizers have arranged three busy days of attractions and activities reflective of this year's theme: Timeless Traditions.
"Even with all these changes, it’s still the same kind of country fair that has been around for 127 years," said McEwan,
One of those traditions are the exhibits, in which people enter their best in numerous categories –farm and field crops, fruits, honey, baking, floral arrangements, photography, etc. – with the hope of winning the coveted blue ribbon for first place.
As in past years, livestock – goats, cows, alpacas and more – will also be on display, with owners vying for the blue ribbon. McEwan said 4-H Club members will also be holding horse competitions and demonstrations.
"We haven’t had a good horse exhibit in several years now…," said McEwan. "We had a couple of 4-H members come up and say, 'hey, we want to have some horse demonstrations and shows.' Perfect! That’s what we’re all about."
Another change for this year's fair involves exhibits and other things normally in the SASCU Indoor Memorial Sports being relocated elsewhere on the north fairgrounds.
"We had a lot of the exhibits in the arena… all of those now are being moved into the dance centre and the artisan building," said McEwan. "It proved to be a bit of a challenge but it’s something that… you adapt to. I think people will still get a good feel for how creative our community is."
Commercial vendors have been moved from the arena to the portion of 5th Avenue SW that is closed to vehicle traffic during the event. It will be called the 5th Avenue Market Place.
"We were fortunate to be able to work with Valid Manufacturing here in Salmon Arm to provide a really quiet generator that will power our marketplace," said McEwan. "We're looking forward to that. It’s going to be a little bit different."
Another Salmon Arm Fair tradition that will be a little bit different is the Saturday morning (Aug. 24) parade. The route will be the same as in the past, though this year the parade will travel in the opposite direction. Beginning from the fairgrounds, the parade will run west on 5th, turn north on 10th Street to cross Highway 1 and then east on Lakeshore Drive. The parade will continue to Alexander, turn right and right again and go from Hudson to Shuswap Street. It will go south, cross the highway and continue to 10th Avenue and loop back to the fairgrounds via 5th Street. With this route reversal, McEwan said it is hoped there will be fewer gaps between parade participants along the route due to the stoplights at the highway.
"We remind everybody to be patient because we will be blocking off streets through the downtown and along Shuswap," said McEwan.
Though live music has long been a staple of the fair, McEwan said it has been increased this year with concerts at the RBC Main Stage rock and rolling into the night. At 7:30 p.m. Friday, Kelowna dance rock band In Stario will be taking the stage, followed by Vernon rockers Headway scheduled to play from 8:45 to 10 p.m. Saturday evening brings two tribute acts to the Main Stage, beginning with ABBA Arrival from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. and Fleetwood Mac - Dreams from 8:45 to 10.
Also showing on the Main Stage over the weekend will be award-winning Elvis tribute artist Adam Fitzpatrick, Shuswap Pipes and Drums, Donna and Leroy from the original Tommy Hunter Show, young dancers from Just for Kicks and Shuswap Dance Studio and more.
For young fair-goers, there will be entertainment and activities at the Home Hardware Kids Zone, including an inflatable obstacle course, magic shows, face painting and Kiki the Eco Elf.
For the adventurous, West Coast Amusements will again be running the Midway on the south fairgrounds. There will be more excitement nearby at the Grandstand with the Global FMX Motorcross Stunt Show and the return of Superdogs. Both will be appearing several times each day of the fair.
Food vendors will be onsite throughout the weekend. The Hub at the Fair will be back for Friday and Saturday afternoon/evening, offering a taste of locally produced beer (Ricochet Brewing), wine (Sunnybrae Vineyards and Winery) and cider (Shuswap Cider Company). McEwan noted people won't be restricted to a fenced-off beverage garden.
"They can actually take that glass of wine, beer or cider over to enjoy the music, sitting underneath the big tent. They can take their bevy to look at the exhibits," said McEwan, noting this is restricted to the north fairgrounds.
Entry fees have increased by $1 for this year's fair, with adult day passes (ages 19 to 64) selling for $14 in advance and $15 at the gate. Day passes for seniors and youth ages 6 to 18 go for $12 online. Admission for ages 5 and under is free. Family day passes are also available. Day passes for the Midway are the same as least year, with early-bird passes selling for $40 online and $50 at the fair.
For tickets and more information, visit salmonarmfair.ca.
