JANUARY 2019 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC


Show, gala showcases BC agriculture Industry gala has waiting list


Already the largest


agricultural show in BC, the 21st annual Pacific Agriculture Show at Tradex in Abbotsford, January 24-26, will have a new component: cannabis.


Preview by DAVID SCHMIDT


“This is the first year of the


show since recreational cannabis use was legalized, so we are hosting our first-ever CannaTech as part of the show,” notes show coordinator Jim Shepard. Shepard says there will again be close to 300 exhibitors at the show, including “lots of new exhibitors” who will be plying their wares to several thousand attendees. Exhibits will be located both within and without the building. Smaller exhibits will fill the two exhibit halls and large equipment displays will be stationed outside. “The focus this year is on technology,” Shepard says. The Bobcat square dance


which proved so popular last year is returning this year for two daily performances on Thursday and Friday and three performances on Saturday. “The Bobcat drivers have been practicing since November and look forward to dazzling the crowd with their precision moves,” Shepard says. “It really is something to see.”


MNP will again host the


Thursday opening reception in the MNP Pavilion at the


south end of Wing 2. There will also be a saloon-themed reception in the food court at the end of Friday’s show. The MNP pavilion will also host the daily growers’ luncheon and the Farm Credit Canada family zone. The family zone includes an expanded petting zoo and a special display of antique farm


equipment featuring a unique pink tractor. Trade show entry is included with registrations for the horticulture short course, BC Dairy Expo and CannaTech West conference. Those who only wish to attend the trade show, the BC Innovation Day on Friday afternoon and/or the sheep workshops on Saturday can get tickets at the door. The cost is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and 4-H members. Children under 14 are admitted free. Trade show admission is good for multiple entries all three days. Kubota is again providing


free parking throughout the show.


Gala waiting list The BC Agriculture Industry


Gala at the Quality Inn in Abbotsford on Wednesday, January 23 is once again sold out. “Anyone still interested in attending can contact us and we’ll put them on a waiting list,” say gala coordinators Danielle Synotte and Cassy James of the BC Agriculture Council.


Chilliwack actor and comedian Cliff Prang is bringing his homespun humour back for his second


year as emcee. The gala will see presentation of the BCAC Leadership, Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher of the Year and Scotiabank Champion of Agriculture awards.


The gala includes a silent auction, with proceeds to


benefit the Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation. Like last year, it will be a digital auction, with both gala attendees and others able to bid using their smartphones. “We tried digital bidding


for the first time last year and PAS PHOTO


it was a big success,” James says. “We have refined the app so it should work even better this year.” Last year’s auction raised about $9,500 and Synotte is hopeful this year’s auction will break the $10,000 mark.


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