Organizers not letting smoke or weather slow down IPE

Aug 29, 2023 | 11:28 AM

The Interior Provincial Exhibition and Stampede in Armstrong is ready for its 122nd edition come rain, shine or smoke.

Speaking with Vernon Matters, IPE General Manager Heather King stated she and the other organizers are confident the event can move forward even though large wildfires are burning in the region.

“Earlier last week, and in the weeks previous, we had been in consultation with the [Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport] and the local governments here, both provincial and municipal, and we had talked about it and we discussed [the fires] and we know it’s still out there and we are aware of it and we get daily reports on what the fires are doing and what the fires are doing to our community,” King said.

“We feel strongly that we made the right decision going forward, we got a lot of support that way, but we do realize that [fires] are around us and if something changes at the last minute, then something changes at the last minute.”

King added there is a lot of community passion for the IPE, which opens Wednesday, but they also want to be conscious of the effects the fires have had on area residents and the safety of the public, saying they will follow any orders handed down from the municipal or provincial governments, if issued.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

Dec 13, 2025

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Dec 12, 2025

The forecast does call for local smoke from the wildfires, and while King isn’t letting that stop the IPE, she does encourage people to be safe.

“I know some people are quite affected by [smoke] and if you have to wear a mask, then by all means definitely wear something. We’re out in it anyways, whether or not we’re in our backyards or whether we’re at the fair grounds,” King stated.

“We’ve got some more rest areas involved and there’s lots of water stations, so bring your own water bottle. There’s fillable stations, there’s rest areas you can come and sit and watch some animals do their show.”

She added the animals are used to being outdoors when it’s smoky and there is no concern that the current conditions will impact them during the IPE.

As for the cooler, potentially wet weather, King said it wouldn’t be the IPE without some rain, and that the forecasted mix of conditions would be a nice change from last year’s very hot and dry weather.

“We might get some cloud and rain on opening day [Wednesday], which doesn’t mean anything. We’re not sugar, we won’t melt,” King told Vernon Matters, adding the remaining days may be a mix of sun and cloud and more seasonable temperatures.

“We just have to be conscious of the animals. The animals last year were quite warm so we’ve installed fans and we always have better ventilation for them, so I know they appreciate the cooler weather.”

She added there are tents and in-buildings and sheltered spaces people can go if the rain does fall on the fair and farm show.

King stated the conditions have not led to any changes to the events or the fair, and noted the only changes people would see this year compared to previous iterations would be more fair rides.

“We’ve got more rides than I think we’ve ever had before, so if you are a ride-monger and you love the thrill of the ups and downs, check it out. West Coast Amusement has been here the last two days mapping out the grounds and I think they’ve used every last available inch they possibly can,” King told Vernon Matters.

“So there’s some new rides out there and weve got the ferris wheel back. Yay! We had the ferris wheel in 2019 but last year, for whatever reason, it didn’t come to the IPE.”

King did not have a figure for pre-sale tickets when speaking with Vernon Matters, but did state the Saturday Night Rodeo was sold out.

The IPE, which has the theme Giddy Up ‘N Go, will run at the fairgrounds at 3371 Pleasant Valley Road in Armstrong between Wednesday, August 30 and Sunday, September 3, with details on events and tickets available at the Armstrong IPE and Stampede website.

by Liam Verster

View Comments