A familiar Peace Country name will be going up outside and inside one of Evergreen Park’s iconic arena buildings.
Foster’s, a long-time local agriculture-based company, has taken over the naming rights of the Evergreen Park Pavilion.
It will now be known as Foster’s Pavilion.
Foster’s Pavilion includes the Lewis Hawkes Arena and the Drysdale Arena – named after two local families who were instrumental in the early growth of Evergreen Park after the "fairgrounds" were moved from the eastern end of the city.
“Foster’s is excited to continue our relationship after being the farm show sponsor,” said Jason Hipkins, Foster’s sales manager. “Being part of the community is something we take pride in.”
The Pavilion started when the Lewis Hawkes structure was moved from the old fairgrounds east of the city in the early-1980s when the Ag Society moved to the its current location, Evergreen Park, in the County of Grande Prairie. The Drysdale arena was added later in 1993.
“Foster’s has been a partner with Evergreen Park as the title sponsor of the Foster’s Peace Country Classic Agri-Show since 2019,” said Kim Randall, Evergreen Park General Manager. “and we are thrilled to have them continue their commitment to Evergreen Park and our Agriculture community with the naming rights to the Foster’s Pavilion.”
Foster’s started in the 1950s when Johnny Foster established the Beaverlodge Seed Farm – now known as Foster's Seed & Feed. The business expanded into chemical, field scouting and fertilizer and in 2008 transitioned into sales and service of agricultural equipment through Foster’s Agri-World.
In 2014, Foster’s opened a NAPA Auto Parts location (Foster’s Auto Parts) in Beaverlodge and in 2016 a second Foster’s Agri-World facility opened its doors in Fairview. The Fairview location now also boasts the Kubota brand and in 2022 Foster’s moved further north with the purchase of a satellite facility in the town of McLennan.
Foster’s Pavilion has hosted prime ministers, rodeos, RCMP Musical Ride, dog shows, 4-H events, bull sales, beef congresses, farmer’s markets, archery competitions, horse programs, seed fairs and dozens of other events over the years and is preparing for the 39th annual Peace Country Classic Agri-Show being held March 6-8.
