SUNSHINE COAST – New Democrat MLA Nicholas Simons says new support from the BC New Democrat government will help local fairs, festivals and community events resume on the Sunshine Coast.

“The Sunshine Coast is well-known for its vibrant arts and culture scene,” said MLA Simons. “COVID-19 put a damper on some of our favourite events, but our government is here to support these events and their organizers to help them come back stronger than ever and keep our communities vibrant.”

4 fairs, festivals, and events in the region will benefit from $100,000 in recovery funding. Events include PRISMA and the Townsite Jazz Festival in Powell River, the Rogue Arts Festival in Sechelt, and the Rainforest Circus, which has taken place up and down the Sunshine Coast.

These fairs, festivals, and events are among the 680 events across the province supported by the BC New Democrat government’s investment. The government is providing nearly $30 million in one-time grants to eligible event organizers to support their efforts to resume safely. Grant amounts for each event are up to 20% of the total event budget, up to a maximum of $250,000.

Successful recipients demonstrated the economic and social benefits of their event, as well as strong local or regional support. Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, health and safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the New Democrat government has worked closely with B.C.’s tourism sector and provided $225 million in support to ensure businesses and non-profits can continue to draw visitors and benefit local communities for years to come.

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B.C. fairs, festivals and events benefit from recovery funding