History

While the wording has changed slightly over the last 125 years, The Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association (Shuswap Agricultural Association) is “The Pioneer Association with the Forward Look”. It has more than 125 years of history of being the lead community resource supporting Agricultural, Community, Regional, Cultural and Touring events. It not only supports the Salmon Arm Community but also offers service to over five main cities - Revelstoke, Kamloops, Merritt, Vernon and Kelowna - and hundreds of communities and smaller towns in between.

The Association’s objective is:

We create awareness by promoting these areas in a very unique new way; facilitating, collaborating and promoting events to; celebrate, create dialogue, promote diversity, increase creativity and offer opportunities for civic pride and sustainable relationships year-round.

It was with the Association’s mandate in mind, the Salmon Arm and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association received its Certificate of Incorporation in 1911. The events held on the fairgrounds represent the importance of celebrating the agricultural history of local/regional areas and supporting charitable organizations and local/regional commercial businesses. The Association’s signature community event, the first Salmon Arm Fair, was held in 1897.

The Association’s long-time stewardship of the lands and buildings on the fair-grounds have included such wide activities and events year round as; Roots & Blues Festival, Demolition Derby, Children’s Festival, RCMP Musical Ride, 4-H Events, Relay for Life, Horse Shows, Evangelical Meetings, community fund-raisers and greenspace usage open for public walking. These events have seen upwards of 25-30k event participants.

On the North Grounds, the Memorial Arena was opened for public use in 1958. Today the buildings on the North Grounds are used by all ages from pre-school to seniors participating in soccer, rugby, archery, lacrosse, dog agility and dance during the winter months. During the 3-day Salmon Arm Fair (the weekend before Labour Day), it houses the indoor exhibits and commercial /concession vendors, Main Stage of local and visiting performers, Livestock Barns and outside activity areas.

The South Grounds house the Grandstand, Three Horse and Show Rings, a Heritage Town Boardwalk, Concession Hut, Pole Barn, Livestock Barns, two other buildings and outdoor area and green-space used by walkers and during the fair to house a Midway full of thrilling rides, food and arcade vendors, as well as shows and major attractions and opportunities for all members of the community to showcase their particular expertise and passions by entering over 40 Exhibitor Divisions during the Fair, with over 1,000 classes.

Today, the Shuswap Agricultural Association is a Non-Profit, Charitable Status Organization operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. The Association sustains 3 part time staff and trains over 450 volunteers. It operates by community support, to give back to the community’s economy, health and culture - supporting businesses and other non-profit societies year round.

The Association appreciates and respects the generosity and overwhelming support of time and monetary values received from the community over so many years, which has helped in making the Association’s Salmon Arm Fair a most loved tradition.