Tom Woods, chair of Esquimalt Ribfest, said he was “dropping everything I’m doing” on Friday after learning about a new, $12.9-million provincial fund to help offset costs to stage community events.
He was keen to get an application submitted right away.
Organizers had met at his house on Monday to talk about the Sept. 10 to 12 event in Bullen Park, which normally attracts about 50,000 visits, including some people who come every day.
“We actually have to put our own credit cards up to rent toilets and stuff,” said Woods, who last year put several thousand dollars on his own card.
“This year, we were all looking at each other — whose turn is it now?”
Receiving funds would be “unbelievable,” Woods said.
“It would help us so much.”
Many beloved annual community events have struggled since the pandemic hit. Last year, they either drastically scaled back or cancelled completely. Less money came in from ticket sales and sales of goods, meaning there was less going to those supporting charities.
Although many are planning to go ahead this year, health and safety restrictions will likely affect attendances.
The $12.9-million fund opened for applications on Friday to organizations staging a variety of events, including community celebrations, arts and cultural shows, agricultural fairs and rodeos and exhibitions.
Organizations can apply for up to 20 per cent of their budget to a maximum of $250,000 in a one-time grant.
Funds can cover events put on between July 1 of this year through to Sept. 30, 2022.
Money can be used for operating costs, personal protective equipment, marketing and wages, and venue rental, Tourism Minister Melanie Mark said at the Pacific National Exhibition grounds in Vancouver. “We know that people have been missing community fairs, festivals and events, and organizers have made tremendous sacrifices to keep us all safe,” she said.
Oak Bay Coun. Hazel Braithwaite, a board member of the Oak Bay Tea Party Society, said the new funding opportunity is “awesome.” A grant could help put on something special for the event’s 60th anniversary, she said.
The tea party is planned for June 3 to June 5, 2022.
This year, the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival is again paring back its annual event, on Sept. 4 and 5, at its Craigflower Manor property. There will be fewer activities than usual. Last year, a small live-streaming event was held at the manor.
Plans call for the volunteer-run festival to return to its usual location at Topaz Park in 2022 where about 20,000 people typically attend.
Jim Maxwell, president of the Highland Games Association, said the group will apply for the new funding. “It will help resurrect the Highland Games,” he said.
Kelly Kurta, Greater Victoria Festival Society executive director, was thrilled about the fund, saying that organization had not qualified for previous COVID-19 related support.
Society events normally include the Island Farms Victoria Day Parade (cancelled this year), Wicked Victoria (just prior to Halloween), Light up the City and the Santa Claus Parade, which was cancelled last year.
Kurta, who also speaks for the Saanich Fair, set for Sept. 4 through Sept. 6, said while a smaller fair is planned, many exhibitions and activities will be taking place.
Masks must be worn indoors and the number of people inside exhibition buildings will be half the usual capacity, based on health advice.
Kurta predicted the provincial funding will provide a foundation for organizations to look forward to their 2022 events “so we can come back stronger.”
