Image: File photo / Chilliwack Heritage Park, the site of the Chilliwack Fair this past weekend. A spokesperson for the Chilliwack Fair has confirmed that the annual fair denied an application for an information booth from a Chilliwack political riding association, while permitting a tent from a current Chilliwack MLA, after it sought tents from local organizations to provide shade at the three-day event.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

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CHILLIWACK — A spokesperson for the Chilliwack Fair has confirmed that the annual fair denied an application for an information booth from a Chilliwack political riding association, while permitting a tent from a current Chilliwack MLA, after it sought tents from local organizations to provide shade at the three-day event.

Nicole Williams, coordinator for the Chilliwack Fair, told Fraser Valley Today in an email Saturday (Aug. 10) that the fair distributed a request to the community in which it sought tents meant to provide shade at the three-day event. Williams says Chilliwack MLA Kelli Paddon subsequently loaned the fair her tent, along with other community organizations.

“We put a call out to the community for tents providing shade at the event and MLA, Kelli Paddon replied and loaned us her tent along with other community organizations. No political parties were given table space,” Williams said.

A branded booth bearing Paddon’s name had volunteers selling drink tickets Saturday at the fair, not far from the rodeo arena.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / A branded booth where drink tickets were sold at Saturday’s Chilliwack Fair, bearing Chilliwack MLA Kelli Paddon’s name.

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The Chilliwack Riding Association for the Conservative Party of B.C. submitted an application dated April 17, 2024 for outdoor market space at the Chilliwack Fair.

Image: Submitted / A portion of the Chilliwack Fair Outdoor Market application for a political booth that was denied by the Chilliwack Fair.

On June 27, a rep for the Chilliwack Riding Association emailed the fair over two months later asking about the status of the application; the rep shared those emails with Fraser Valley Today.

On July 12, Chilliwack Fair Market Coordinator Jennifer Green advised the Chilliwack Riding Association rep that the application was denied. The 10×10 booth would have cost $312.50, which included two event passes at $25 each, and the riding association would need to provide its own tent, tables, and chairs, and no electricity would be provided.

“Thank you for your Outdoor Marketplace Application for the Chilliwack Fair,” Green wrote. “I have received confirmation from Nicole, our event organiser who in turn checked with the Fair’s Board, and unfortunately we are unable to accept your application as it is politically attached and this goes against the Fair’s mandate.”

A rep from the Chilliwack Riding Association sought clarity in a follow-up email, saying it was her husband’s recollection that a candidate in a previous Chilliwack election had a booth at the Chilliwack Fair in years past and so did other political parties. The Chilliwack Fair responded and said it does allow current political reps to have a presence at the fair.

“We do allow current representatives of the community at the political level as it is a platform for the individuals of the community to have their questions answered, so perhaps that was the case in the past,” Williams told the Chilliwack Riding Association rep on July 16.

Agrifair Abbotsford permitted political parties to disseminate their message at their three-day festival held Friday, August 2 through August 4. BC United and B.C. Conservatives were reportedly among the political parties that participated at the Agrifair event. On the contrary, the Chilliwack Fair says having a political booth would go against the fair’s mandate.

Incidentally, the Chilliwack Fair put out a call on Saturday, August 10 asking local businesses if they had tents available, branded or unbranded.

“The Chilliwack Fair is looking for some 10×10 tents, branded or unbranded. We would love to have your business involved at the fair! If you do have tents, please call our office at 604-824-8191 or DM us as soon as you can. We are hoping to get some extra tents by the end of the day. We appreciate all of your support in making this a great event!”

A rep for the Chilliwack Riding Association of the Conservative Party of B.C. said their riding had tents that could have fulfilled the Chilliwack Fair’s request.