The Battlefords Ag Society has been forced to cancel the Agrimex Spring Trade show for the second year in a row due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In a news release, Battlefords Ag Society General Manager Jocelyn Ritchie said the decision was taken to ensure public safety.
“After cancelling last year’s show, which would have marked our 35th annual event, we were hopeful to bring a bigger and better show in 2021,” said Ritchie, adding the group is hoping to incorporate a trade show into this year’s edition of the Northwest Territorial Days Exhibition.
The 132nd annual edition of Northwest Territorial Days was also cancelled last year. Ritchie said the only other time the comunity’s exhibition was cancelled was in 1885 due to circumstances surrounding the Northwest Resistance, formerly known as the Riel Rebellion.
“It is our hope to run a huge trade show with the Exhibition this year depending on COVID-19 restrictions and Health and Safety regulations,” said Ritchie. “Everyone’s safety is of upmost importance.
“As things open up we will have a re-open plan in place which will be a new normal for everyone but we are certain we will carry on.”
The Battlefords Ag Society is a a non-profit charitable organization that relies entirely on donations as well as income from its events and rentals.
“We had an extremely tough year financially in 2020,” said Ritchie. “Last year more than a dozen events had to be cancelled.”
Richie said the Ag Society (www.agsociety.com) welcomes donations to assist it in weathering its current financial pressures.