The Interior Provincial Exhibition has partnered with 542 Entertainment to create a new and exciting lineup on its busy Ram Truck Stage at the 116th fair in Armstrong, Sept. 2 to 6.
“We are very excited to see the combination of traditional and new talented acts to perform at this year’s event,” said IPE general manager Bryan Burns. “Billie-Jo and her team are a dream to work with and we are looking forward to the great music on our stage this year.
Emcee Jack Jackson and his wife Debbie are back to provide the stage production, while Jackson and his band are also one of the many musical acts performing on the Ram Truck Stage.
Included in the lineup is the Chris Buck Band, Karen Lee Batten, Cash Crawford, Greg Drummond, Little India, BESTiE, Fall Brigade, and Appaloosa, who will also play the IPE’s Barn Dance, taking place on the Friday and Saturday nights of the fair from 9:45 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. after the rodeo.
Also performing on the Ram Truck Stage are the B.C. Country Music Association Artist Development semi-finalists and the IPE’s very own 2014 Youth Talent winner Kassandra Harder.
The music starts every day at 11 a.m. Visitors can also attend the Cowboy Church worship starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6.
“This rustic and casual church service is followed by more great music,” said Burns, adding visitors to the Ram Truck Stage can also grab a meal at the many vendors available at the food court, which surrounds the tented seating area.
Visitors will also be able to catch some homegrown acts when Okanagan artist Aaron Gordon hosts and performs at the Indie Community Stage, which will be located next to the Red Rodeo grandstands.
Scheduled to perform are the JS Garcia Band, Dave Hesketh, The Paper Airplane Crisis, Mickael Maddison, Michael Painchaud, Collin Croft, The Elk Tribe, Becca Mabbett, Olivia Paige, Trista Bassett and The Dreaded Naught, and Jordan Dean to name a few.
For the children and families, the IPE is featuring a full lineup of entertainment at its Kids World Stage.
Acts include PT the Clown, The Cutest Show on Earth, Rainbow the Clown, The Flea Circus, illusionist Murray Hatfield, Circus West, Yukon Dan, and Polynesian dancers.
Also at the Kids World location is the Valley First Kids Klub, along with a petting zoo, Lego experience, a zucchini derby, watermelon and corn eating contests and crafts.
Visitors will also want to check out the bucking broncos, saddle riding and rope agility of some of the best rodeos hands in North America when the Wrangler Tour Rodeo takes place during all five days of the IPE.
“(It’s) thrilling action with the best the sport has to offer,” said Burns, adding professional rodeo competitors will attempt to make it to the Canadian Finals Rodeo in Edmonton.
“We have amazing deals on Wednesday and Thursday at the rodeo. Don’t miss this exhilarating sport action.”
Other exciting events returning to the IPE include the Westcoast Lumberjack Show, the IPE parade, farrier demonstrations, stock dogs, rabbit agility, mini chuckwagon racing, dog agility and the Iron Chef Competition.
Along with the agriculture shows are heavy horse, dairy and beef competitions as well as the sheep, goats, rabbit, poultry, bees and home arts exhibitions.
“We also have more than 38 non-profit, charity organizations involved in some capacity at this annual event. Come and support their efforts,” said Burns. “The IPE itself has 450 volunteers donating more than 11,000 hours to ensure the showcase of the interior continues to entertain and educate the generations of families who attend.”
For additional information and a schedule of events, visit the new IPE website at www.armstrongipe.com. You can also like the IPE on Facebook and check out the new app with all the updated information.
