Monday July 12, 2021 | SAANICH, BC
by Jalen Codrington | Island Social Trends | Editor: Mary P Brooke
As COVID-19 public health restrictions begin to ease up, Vancouver Island residents can once again look forward to return of familiar festivals and events.
The North and South Saanich Agricultural Society (NSSAC) has announced their planning for the 2021 Saanich Fair, slated for the Labour Day long weekend. Organizers say it will be scaled-back compared to pre-pandemic years, but that the event will go ahead regardless.
The 2021 Labour Day weekend runs from Saturday September 4 through Monday, September 6.
Within public health guidelines:
“We are working with Provincial Health authorities to ensure that we comply with current Health Orders as public safety is our first priority,” wrote the NSSAC in a press release.
“We are heartened by the accelerated vaccination programs and recent statements indicating some relaxation of health rules as the summer proceeds.”
The BC Government’s easing out of the pandemic restart plan is presently in Step 3 of economic recovery which includes “normal” indoor and outdoor gatherings. The Saanich Fair will still be subject to the Step 3 guidelines, as Step 4 is slated to roll out no sooner than September 7.
Labour Day Weekend:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which was declared in March 2020, most major festivals and events in BC last summer were cancelled, including last year’s Saanich Fair.
“At this time we are actively exploring various options, adapting in creative ways to bring you a fair that everyone will be able to attend and enjoy.”
Previous years have included rides, entertainment, food, and animals. In 2019, rock icons April Wine and Prism brought massive crowds to the event.
Turnout for this year’s fair will depend on the combination of public health orders and guidelines in place at the beginning of September, coupled with people’s overall ease with being in crowds after physical-distancing for so long.
