It’s a little bit of a odd feeling visiting the IPE Fair in Armstrong this year, since it’s the first time we are here as locals, and not as visitors, or the dreaded TOURISTS. There’s good reason the locals leave town during this most stressful and crowded week, the little town of just over 4000 people has a massive influx of visitors from all over with over 150,000 people attending the fair. Parking spots do not exist, stores are crowded and the line ups are long. Do you have country fairs where you live? Do they take over the town like the IPE does?
A mainly agricultural fair, the IPE is in it’s 113th year of holding court to farmers, townies, and tourists.
It’s also billed as the second largest fair in BC next to the PNE held in Vancouver. It’s a fun day of zucchini races, logging competitions, vegetable and harvest displays.
The theme this year was catch the buzz, it’s a honey of a time to be had in town, with local business joining in sweetly putting up displays, and painting windows with bees to keep the town buzz going.
There were lions, tigers, camel rides and a real live zebra, lamas walking the midway, cows and sheep, goats, and pigs.
Something for everybody, and let’s not forget hot tubs, yes the “almost every house we looked at has a hot tub” kind of hot tub. Now I know where they get them from, the IPE fair.
Chomping on cotton candy…