BC Ag Expo

Join us for the 2021 BC Ag Expo

By Evelyn Pilatzke

With the announcement of the Province’s 4 Step Restart Plan and timeline, the BC Ag Expo planning committee heaved a huge sigh of relief.

At the start of planning for the 2021 BC Ag Expo, a decision was made to try to deliver an in-person event for the 4-H and Open Contributors, and the Committee was prepared to do whatever it could to make that happen in keeping with Provincial Guidelines. This year’s fair will take place at the North Thompson Fall Fair & Rodeo grounds in Barriere BC on September 24–27, 2021.

Even though the 2020 Virtual BC Ag Expo was very successful for the large number of 4-H and Open Youth who entered, everyone, organizers included, missed the personal connection to the large 4-H and agricultural community who attend each year. We are hopeful the Province will be ready for Step 4 of the restart plan and BC Ag Expo will be able to be mostly back to normal operations.

“A Covid Safety Plan will be developed and we may have to make some modifications to keep everyone safe, but we are so excited that we will be seeing all those familiar faces again. Our fair is more than just competitions, it is our extended 4-H and agricultural family, having a chance to get together, learn and compete and grow together,” said Evelyn Pilatzke, BC Ag Expo Society President. “The 4-H program is a hugely important part of many of our families’ lives and one of our Society’s main purpose is to promote and encourage youth involvement.”

We would like to thank our 4-H and Open Contributors for their patience this last year. So much appreciation goes out to our Sponsors and Buyers who didn’t waiver and continued to support our 4-H and Open Youth and all that we do at BC Ag Expo. Our Society volunteers worked tirelessly to provide our youth a platform to showcase their projects in 2020 and will now turn their attention and enthusiasm towards our 2021 Expo. As we all know, our BC Ag Expo has always been about youth development and community and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outlook for an in-person Expo.

Our Horse Division is happy to once again welcome back Mr. Rob Kershaw as the Horse Judge for 2021. Rob competed at the NCHA, NRHA and AQHA Levels. As an experienced judge and show producer he has a wealth of knowledge to share and an approachable manner. He has trained horses for over 25 years and has a foundational equine knowledge and sense allowing horse and rider to see their potential.