The board of directors of the B.C. Northern Exhibition (BCNE) have dropped demonstrations from Angel's Aerial Fitness at their booth during this year's fair, citing concerns about inappropriate conduct.
"I understand they're clothed but they're twerking on a pole and mothers were complaining when they're five year olds walked past and watched that," said Alex Huber, president of the BCNE board.
Angel's Aerial Fitness is a local business geared to develop strength, flexibility and coordination, offering 40 workout classes a week and only six of them are using a pole. Others geared for all ages include stretch, hip hop, pound cardio-based class, as well as aerial hoop and hammock.
Last year, Angel's Aerial Fitness held demonstrations at their booth as well as performing on the mainstage of the BCNE.
The decision for the fair to not allow the fitness demonstrations to take place was made public when owner Angel Stewart posted a notice on her personal Facebook page July 17 saying her business would not attend the fair for that reason.
In direct response to the posting, the BCNE said their decision did not reflect the personal thoughts and opinions of the board members but it was forced to make the decision because of the complaints made by fair attendees.
"I totally understand it's fitness," Huber said. "I understand that as an adult but the fair being a family event, I also have to take my fair goers opinion into consideration when making a decision like that. They are more than welcome to set up their booth and promote their fitness but please, no more demonstrations."
When the response to Angel's post was made to the BCNE Facebook site on July 18, there was an outpouring of protests offered by a number of concerned patrons stating they didn't see anything wrong with the demonstrations that focus on strength and fitness.
At press time, there were 69 comments which pointed out facts like the beer gardens and vendors who sold drug paraphernalia like bongs is not family friendly either but still have a place at the fair.
Stewart isn't surprised about the outpouring of support posted as a result of the BCNE Facebook post.
"I've been in this business almost 10 years now and I used to go through this kind of thing all the time in 2008 and 2009," said Stewart.
"Then people started to realize what I do and what it is and what it isn't and now I've got almost 10 years of students and their families and friends are insulted."
"The support's been amazing and I appreciate it so much," Stewart added.
Stewart said the decision to not allow demonstrations at her booth because it's considered not to be family friendly is insulting to her and to what she does and she was hurt by the decision.
"I try not to do anything I have to apologize for and I don't want to insult the board," Stewart said. "They made decisions they feel are right but I just don't agree with how they went about it at all. I don't like the decision, I don't like the response and I don't like that they said that it's not our opinion and some people complained."
Stewart said she would've liked to see the board go another way and support local business.
Stewart said she's been in this business long enough to understand her audience and was aware grandparents and children attend the fair.
"So we're not going to be - like I teach a twerk class - I'm not going to be twerking at the BCNE."
