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Thousands attend Summerland Action Festival

It was a celebration of sport and activity as thousands of people from Summerland, the Okanagan Valley and other parts of the province took part in the 35th annual Summerland Action Festival on the weekend.
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BIG TOP ACTION Dr. Von Houligan balanced a ladder on his chin during a big top tent show. This is the first year the festival has had a big top attraction.

It was a celebration of sport and activity as thousands of people from Summerland, the Okanagan Valley and other parts of the province took part in the 35th annual Summerland Action Festival on the weekend.

Pat Bell, president of the festival committee, estimates more than 16,000 people attended the various events during the three-day festival.

“Everybody really enjoyed themselves,” he said.

Action Festival included a ball tournament with more than 80 teams participating, the 5.4-kilometre and 10-kilometre Giant’s Head Run, the Man of Steel Triathlon and more.

Entertainment at the festival included Dr. Von Houligan’s big top tent event, with six shows of circus-themed entertainment.

This is the first year a big top event has been part of the festival and Bell hopes to bring the attraction back for next year.

Throughout the weekend, a variety of entertainers, including several tribute bands, performed from the bandshell in Memorial Park.

Bell said the tribute bands tend to draw large crowds. This year’s bands included a Pat Benetar tribute, an Eagles tribute, a Bad Company tribute and many more.

For future years, the Action Festival Committee is examining new attractions and bands.

“We’re always seeking to do something a little different,” he said, adding that the festival committee hopes to attract more teens in future years.

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MUSICAL TRIBUTE All Fired Up, a Pat Benetar tribute, performed on Friday evening.
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TRIBUTE BAND Shooting Star, a Bad Company tribute band, performed from the main stage in Memorial Park on Friday evening.
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FIREWORKS The Nesters Market Fireworks Display was held on Friday evening.
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STEAM TRAIN The Kettle Valley Steam Railway had a float in the Action Festival parade.
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PARADE ENTRY The Garnett Valley Gang’s float was one of roughly 40 entries in the Action Festival Parade on Saturday morning.
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AT BAT Sylvain Gagnon of the Beach City Amraps from Penticton swings during a baseball game on the weekend.
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PITCHING Graham Lye, of Duchess Exotic Nightclub from Kamloops, pitches during a game at the Action Festival ball tournament.
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EAGLES TRIBUTE Ray Harvey of Eagle Eyes, an Eagles tribute band, performed during a concert in Memorial Park on Sunday afternoon.
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CROWDED PARK Thousands attended the various concerts, ball games and other events during the weekend. The concerts on Sunday afternoon were crowd-pleasers.


John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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