Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce

News › Discover Downtown IPE Edition invites the community to Capture 125

Discover Downtown IPE Edition invites the community to Capture 125

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Capture 125 is a free window display and photo hunt in downtown Armstrong from August 29 to September 6, 2026, celebrating 125 years of the Interior Provincial Exhibition.

The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce is running a free downtown challenge for the 125th Interior Provincial Exhibition. It is called Discover Downtown IPE Edition: Capture 125.

The challenge runs Saturday, August 29 through Sunday, September 6, 2026. Anyone can take part, and there is no cost.

Photography is a featured division at this year’s IPE. Participating downtown businesses built window displays around that theme. Some displays draw on IPE history. Others draw on a business’s own connection to the fair, from treasured family photographs to memories of Grandma’s prize-winning cookies.

“This is a fun way to celebrate 125 years of IPE memories while encouraging fairgoers, residents and visitors to explore downtown Armstrong,” says Patti Noonan, Executive Director of the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce. “Our businesses have put a lot of creativity and community spirit into their displays, and we can’t wait for everyone to discover them.”

How the photo hunt works

Each participating business has a numbered vintage camera cutout in its display. Some cameras sit in plain sight. Others are hidden.

Walk downtown, find the cameras, and match each number to the right business on the official entry form. Hand the form in for a chance to win.

Vote for your favourite window

Every entry form carries a QR code for public voting. Scan it and pick the display you like best. Those votes decide the People’s Choice winner.

What you can win

Participants can win Armstrong Spallumcheen swag and Chamber Bucks.

Participating businesses are recognized in four categories.

  • Best Storytelling
  • Best IPE Spirit
  • Judges’ Favourite
  • People’s Choice.

Where to get an entry form

Entry forms are available from participating businesses. They are also available at the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre, 3005 Wood Avenue.

Dates to know

  • The photo hunt and public voting run August 29 through September 6.
  • The IPE runs September 2 through 6 at the Armstrong Fairgrounds.
  • Winners are announced Thursday, September 10.

About Discover Downtown

Discover Downtown is a chamber program that gives residents and visitors a reason to walk downtown Armstrong and stop into local shops. Each edition takes a shared theme and a simple activity for the public to follow. Capture 125 is the IPE Edition.

Downtown Armstrong is walkable, so the whole hunt fits into an afternoon. Come celebrate 125 Years and Counting, and see the stories, creativity, and businesses that make downtown Armstrong what it is.

Planning the rest of your fair week? See the IPE parking guide and the chamber business directory.

For more information, contact the Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Centre.

Phone (250) 546-8155 or email [email protected].