SOOKE – New Democrat MLA Mitzi Dean is announcing recipients of provincial funding to help make sure local fairs, festivals and other events continue throughout 2023 and 2024.

“Festivals and events can bring people of diverse backgrounds together to share experiences, and build stronger relationships,” says MLA Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “I am excited to see our government supporting events like the East West Mural Fest that will build community in our region.”

In the West Shore, 14 events are receiving a total of $136,000 in funding including $37,300 for the Sooke Fine Arts Show 2023, $21,600 for the Langford Beer Festival, and $4,100 for the 2023 Canadian Outdoor Archery Championships in Colwood.

This investment into local events is part of the $30 million in one-time grants the province pledged for Fairs, Festivals, and Events to continue the recovery of a vibrant and strong tourism industry and support our innovative arts industry in B.C.

This builds upon the success of the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events Program funding in 2021, which provided one-time grants for events to safely return after facing the covid-19 pandemic. These grants for 2023 will support a range of events in locations all over B.C., and associated event costs.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/28246

Backgrounder: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/tourism-resources/tourism-funding-programs/fairs-festivals-events-fund