RICHMOND – New Democrat MLAs Kelly Greene, Aman Singh and Henry Yao say that funding will help ensure local fairs, festivals and events can provide fun and excitement for residents and visitors alike.
“The Steveston Salmon Festival is iconic and an important part of our community’s cultural heritage. Over 80,000 visitors come to our village to celebrate ‘Canada’s biggest little birthday party’ and enjoy our traditions like the salmon bake, chow mein booth, and parade!” said Kelly Greene, MLA for Richmond-Steveston. “With this support, the festival will be able to feature the programming visitors have come to love and enjoy. The volunteers who organize and run the Steveston Salmon Festival are dedicated to delivering an event that is second to none and I thank them for their hard work and passion for Salmon Fest.”
In Richmond, 28 events are receiving over $238,000 in funding, including the Steveston Salmon Festival, Richmond Maritime Festival, Volleyball BC Indoor Provincial Championships, FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival, Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival, and more.
“Events like the FreshCo Richmond Dragon Boat Festival and Richmond Cherry Blossom Festival are longstanding symbols of our community’s cultural tapestry,” said Henry Yao, MLA for Richmond South Centre. “We’re ensuring these traditions can thrive and continue to enchant locals and visitors alike.”
“Festivals and events have a profound impact on our community, fostering connections, enriching cultural experiences and driving economic vitality,” said Aman Singh, MLA for Richmond-Queensborough. “This funding underscores our commitment to preserving these important experiences so that they can continue to inspire, unite and uplift us all.”
Across B.C., $15 million in funding will support 1114 fairs, festivals, and events in 2024 and 2025.
Since 2021, the BC New Democrat government has provided $80 million through the Fairs, Festivals, and Events Fund, helping event organizers to overcome ongoing challenges and ensure fun experiences are available for residents and visitors around the province.