On January 31, 1910 the Department of Agriculture organized "The Provincial Agricultural Fairs Association" which was incorporated in 1921. The first agricultural fair was held October 1861 in Victoria.

There is something for everyone to enjoy at a fair:

• Livestock competitions,
• Displays & static exhibits,
• Leisure arts,
• 4-H and youth activities,
• Entertainment, and
• Many other innovative programs which makes each fair unique.

As more people move from rural to urban environments, fairs and exhibitions are in the strategic position to continue and enhance their work of educating and promoting agriculture awareness. In excess of 1.6 million people crowd our grounds each year and we, as agriculture's goodwill ambassadors must further educate them on the importance of the agricultural industry to our economy.

Objectives

The objective of the B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions is to educate the public about the importance of agriculture, where their food comes from and the value agriculture adds to the economy of British Columbia.

The Association Today

The B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions is a non-profit organization. Our principal role is to provide leadership in the growth and development of the British Columbia agriculture fair industry and to respond to the needs of its members. BCAAFE delivers programs and services that advance and benefit members towards their long-term success.

The Association's History

• 1861 - the first agricultural fair was held in Victoria, BC
• 1920 - the department of agriculture organized the provincial agricultural fairs association, incorporated in 1921
• 1989 - BCAAFE negotiated with government to increase grants to fairs and exhibitions
• 1992 - BCAAFE established a full time office
• 1998 - the BC Ministry of Agriculture turned the administration of the grant system over to BCAAFE
• 2001 - Funding to fairs & exhibitions and the association ceased
• 2003 - Operational funding was received by the association
• 2005 - Funding to association and partial funding to fairs and exhibitions was restored
• 2005 - partial funding to the association and fairs and exhibitions was restored
• 2006 - funding to the association and fairs and exhibitions was increased
• 2007 - Government funding continued

Postal Address