A familiar summer-long party is returning to Okanagan Falls in 2022 — but with a new twist.
Originally known as Music in the Park, organizers of the local event have added a new element to get your mouth watering.
Between 20 and 25 craft and produce vendors, most of them local, are expected to set up their stands and keep people from going hungry while enjoying various musical performances at Centennial Park, with two or three food trucks present on any given day.
As a result, the summer-long gathering that is set to take place on six-consecutive summer weekends is now called Music and Market in the Park.
“It’s a community event, that’s exactly what we can call it,” said Grant Henderson, the event’s coordinator.
Five out of the six event days will go on Sundays (June 19, July 17, 31, Aug. 14, 28), with the exception of the special Music and Market in the Park Canada Day celebration on Friday, July 1.
Vendors will open on each day at 2 p.m. and will be followed by the performances of local bands starting at 5 p.m.
“We’ve decided to hold six markets and six concerts over the course of the summer so that they can be in conjunction with each other,” Henderson added.
Food and entertainment that originate from the South Okanagan will be featured.
For instance, local bands 13 Broken Bones and Rebel Luv are set to perform on Aug. 14 and 28, respectively.
The newly-named event has been absent from the community for two years, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since 2015, the Okanagan Falls-based gathering has entertained local residents with its scheduled performances after the bandshell at Centennial Park was constructed one year prior.
Live music on July 1 will begin at 4 p.m. and come after the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has a Canada Day celebration of their own throughout the morning and early afternoon.
“The turnout is usually very good, especially on July 1,” Henderson said.
“I don’t see a reason why anyone wouldn’t come, this is absolutely free to attend.”
Food stands will be on one side of Centennial Park, while the scheduled bands will perform on the opposite side, according to market coordinators Tara Henderson and Teresa Millar.
Vendors will be charged $10 per to operate during the summer-long festivities and are expected to bring their own table.
The public who attends is encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
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