YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Supporting our favourite local events
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Whether it is spring, summer, winter or fall in British Columbia you can always find a fair, festival, or community event to attend. These events are always buzzing with energy and full of smiling faces. If you are in your home community or visiting another town in our beautiful province, these gatherings are often the highlight of a week, trip, or season.
While we have seen a return to in-person activities, the tourism, arts and culture sectors are still struggling in wake of the pandemic. In particular, activities that are dependent upon live audiences are facing ongoing challenges. Our government has supported these important sectors since March of 2020 with over half a billion dollars in funding, but we recognize that help is still needed.
That’s why our government is relaunching our Fairs, Festivals, and Events fund, with up to $30 million in one-time grants for eligible events. Not only will this help your favourite events continue to recover but it will also help create jobs and support the local economy.
I know this fund has been so helpful in the last few years; in 2021 it supported 682 different fairs, festivals and events in 134 communities across the province. A few of the events in my area that have benefitted from this funding include the Maple Ridge Music Talks Festival and the Fraser Valley Children’s festival in Mission.
