Micheal Solberg from Sunnynook AB rides Uptown Girl in the Bareback riding event Sunday at the IPE. (Lisa Mazurek/Morning Star)

Micheal Solberg from Sunnynook AB rides Uptown Girl in the Bareback riding event Sunday at the IPE. (Lisa Mazurek/Morning Star)

IPE numbers dip from record year

Smoky conditions may have kept some from attending the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong.

Smoky conditions may have kept some from attending the Interior Provincial Exhibition (IPE) in Armstrong this year as attendance numbers were down from last year.

The official figure was shy of last year’s attendees, although IPE general manager Yvonne Paulson said the counting method at the gates leaves for some plus-minus room for error.

“The IPE was a tremendous success this year. The attendance tally from the gates isn’t an accurate number as there are plenty of folks we didn’t click in on our counters due to sheer volume and congestion at the gates. Re-looking at our gate tickets vs tally counters it’s clear that we were very close to our attendance from last year where we saw just over 150,000 people at the fair this year,” Paulson said.

Fair highlights:

Wednesday — New dairy calf born at the fair

Sunday — Another dairy calf born Sunday – Sow gave birth to 18 piglets.

Sunday — Mini Chuckwagon winning wagon – Nor-Val Rentals

Sunday — IPE Top Chef Home Cook winner – Dan Osborn

Finning Canada Pro Rodeo Finals was a thrilling night of rodeo and the 50/50 winner on Sunday was Jacyln Krause who won $7,908.

119th IPE is now closed and we are busy planning the 120th IPE for you for next year.

RELATED: WATCH: The IPE continues for the fourth day in Armstong

RELATED: Saturday crowds packed Day 4 of Armstrong IPE

Last year’s record number exceeding 150,000 would have been tough to top.

Vernon Morning Star