Victoria – The Province will begin accepting applications on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021, to support B.C.-based events through the new Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund.
The Government of B.C. is providing up to $12.9 million in one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event will be up to 20% of the total event budget, to a maximum of $250,000 per application.
Eligible events include sport, arts and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs, rodeos and exhibitions. Applications submitted by organizations will be required to demonstrate local or regional support and show the economic and social benefits for the community.
This would include Abbotsford AgriFair, Chilliwack Fair and Hope Brigade Days.
Applications are being accepted until Oct. 1, 2021, for eligible events that take place between July 1, 2021 to Sept. 30, 2022. Organizations are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible. Eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.
To see the Fairs, Festivals and Events Recovery Fund criteria and application, visit: gov.bc.ca/fairs-festivals-events-recovery
COVID-19 tourism supports
Since the start of the pandemic, the B.C. government has implemented recommendations from the Tourism Task Force and worked with industry to provide relief and support. This includes:
- $36.8 million provided to major anchor attractions and tour bus operators through the Major Anchor Attractions Program;
- $100-million tourism-specific stream under the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program;
- $5 million in dedicated relief funding delivered by Indigenous Tourism BC for Indigenous tourism businesses;
- $53 million in community-based tourism infrastructure and destination development to help tourism in B.C. recover, create jobs and spur economic development;
- partnering with go2HR to design and deliver a COVID-19 safety certificate course for the tourism and hospitality workforce; and
- $50 million in Budget 2021 to support tourism recovery and $20 million for community-based tourism infrastructure.
