Introduction

Struggling to choose a pitstop on your family road trip? Trying to find activities to keep the whole family happy and entertained? The quaint city of Armstrong, BC has got you covered!

Armstrong British Columbia is a small city, with a population of under 5,000 residents, and only has one traffic light on the edge of the city. This scenic area is heavily populated with young families looking for a calming, and welcoming environment to raise their children. It’s old school charm, and kind locals will have you feeling right at home during your visit.

The below article will give you an inside look into 5 reasons why you should give visiting Armstrong, BC a try! All of the activities or events being mentioned are also 100% family friendly, so let’s get started!

Photo of the carnival rides featured at the IPE. Photo by https://www.armstrongipe.com/

1. Interior Provincial Exhibition (I.P.E.)

The IPE is a staple event in the town of Armstrong, BC. This carnival event has been run in this city for the last 123 years and draws in thousands of visitors from surrounding areas who annually enjoy the festivities! The IPE typically begins at the end of August and continues into the Labour day weekend allowing 5 days to visit the fair. At this event you will find the following activities:

• Live Rodeo & Chuck Wagon Races
• Food Vendors
• Carnival rides
• Petting zoo for the kids
• Carnival games
• Barn dances
• Live Music

The IPE has something for everyone, it’s almost impossible to see and experience everything in one day! They provide enough entertainment to keep any age entertained and making the most of their time at the fair! If you do visit the IPE, some friendly advice, always bring a hat and never skip the sunscreen!

For more information, check out this video by Global News showcasing all there is to see at the IPE!

https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/1310886467871/?jwsource=cl

Dining room/Tasting room at the Farmstrong Cidery Barn. Retrieved from https://www.farmstrongcider.com/

2. The Farmstrong Cidery

The Farmstrong Cidery is a newer addition to the city, opening in 2019 after redesigning their outdated barn into a stunning restaurant and cider distillery! Now I know what you’re thinking, but is it kid friendly? Absolutely! Farmstrong offers a full lunch and dinner menu that accommodates all ages. The cidery has become a must visit location for many who are travelling through, and has incredible reviews as to the staff, menu, and drink varieties! There is also an outdoor patio area available which looks out onto the apple orchards. It is recommended for those visiting the cidery in the fall months, that it’s never a bad idea to bring a blanket along with you, even inside barns tend to be a tad drafty!

Photo of the demolition derby in full swing in Armstrong, BC. Photo by Morning Star

3. Demolition Derby

This is quite different from the other events or activities being mentioned in this article, and definitely takes the cake for a unique small-town experience! The Demolition Derby has been operating in Armstrong for years and many townspeople look forward to it all year! This event typically runs during the Thanksgiving weekend while families are gathering for dining, they also gather to enjoy some entertainment. With ages from children to grandparents flocking to this event to watch these drivers do as much damage as possible! They also host a segment where kids can sign up to go in the ring, of course they’re driving mini battery-operated vehicles, so no damage is done but it’s adorable to watch! These drivers spend the whole year fixing up old cars back to working condition just to destroy them in a matter of minutes. This is definitely an event your kids will be talking about for a long time and will likely want to return for more chaos the next fall!

Photo of a set on the Caravan property for one of their Christmas productions. Retrieved from https://caravanfarmtheatre.com/

4. Caravan Farm Theatre

Caravan Farm Theatre originated back in the 1970’s as a horse drawn travelling show that performed all across British Columbia and Alberta. In 1978 they settled on their acreage of land just on the edge of the city. Caravan Farm Theatre is a commonly known name in the City of Armstrong, and many residents take pride in being able to say they snagged a ticket to see one of their shows.

This particular group of actors are truly unique since they don’t have an actual theatre stage! All of their performances are done outdoors, on varying sections of their property. They have structures placed all over the acreage for different productions depending on what their needs are. In the fall they host the walk of terror, which is an interactive horror experience, it’s their spin on the idea of a haunted house as you explore the property. However, winter performances at Caravan are the most memorable, pulling audience members around the property in horse drawn sleighs, stopping at each set structure so the actors can continue with their performance! Since this is an outdoor based event, it’s understood that you must be ready to deal with any weather changes that could affect your theatre experience.

Photo of the gallery side of the building during an art show. Retrieved from https://armstrongspallmuseumart.com/

5. Armstrong-Spallumcheen Museum & Art Gallery

Lastly, we have the Armstrong-Spall Museum & Art Gallery This location is more suited for those wanting to learn some local history while they’re visiting, but locals come through often as well. One half of the building is the art gallery, where they feature art collections of different local artists and change it each month of the summer. While on the other half of the building contains the museum section which is always a hit with kids! Inside are recreations of an old schoolroom, blacksmiths shop, and a general store, not to mention interactive displays. They also create scavenger hunts for the kids varying in difficulty, and a wheat bin which hides numerous old items for the kids to dig through and find. There is a list showing images of each item and what their purpose was and how it was previously used! Completing any of these activities results in the kids earning a small prize to take home. The museum is a great way to mix in some educational activities during your trip and keep them engaged!

After reading through this article I hope one or more of these events or activities have caught your interest and may convince you to give this quaint town a try! Armstrong contains more than meets the eye, not only being known for its scenic views but the towns charm may just keep you coming back for more!