Vinyl collectors will be having a field day Sunday when Peach City Community Radio Society host the community’s first annual Okanagan Vinyl Fest.
Vinyl, in this case, doesn’t mean that old naugahyde-covered couch lurking in your basement. The Vinyl Fest, said Dave Del Rizzo, president of the radio society, will host vinyl record collectors from up and down the valley, meeting to buy and sell to what Del Rizzo said is an ever growing group dedicated this classic form of recorded music.
Far from disappearing under a glut of CDs or MP3s, vinyl is alive and well, according to Del Rizzo. While this is the first sale of it’s kind in Penticton, Del Rizzo said the community of vinyl enthusiasts is so strong that they are planning to make the Vinyl Fest an annual event, hence the optimistic “first annual” in its title.
Del Rizzo describes himself as a big music aficionado with a large vinyl collection — he regularly attends similar vinyl swaps in Kelowna, Kamloops and other places.
“We thought this would be a perfect opportunity to start one up in Penticton,” he said. “Vinyl is making a bit of a resurgence. Places like The Grooveyard, their vinyl section has grown from one little section to three big sections and they are getting all kinds of new vinyl. A lot of artists are releasing their albums on vinyl now, in some cases, instead of on CD.
The event, which will be a fundraiser for the radio society, works hand in hand with the vinyl drive the group did back in February, with community members donating their old albums to the society. Peach City Radio will have their own table, with all the sales going to support their drive to create an independent community radio station in Penticton. But the Vinyl Fest will also be generating funds for the PCCRS through table rentals.
“We are looking forward to bringing a whole bunch of vendors from up and down the valley all in one place,” said Del Rizzo, adding that several vendors have already booked tables, in some cases, multiples. Local vendors, in addition to vendors from all over the Okanagan and beyond will be there offering their LP records, CDs and audio equipment for sale to the public.
Peach City Radio will also be hosting live bands to entertain the vinyl enthusiasts as the shop, maintaining its commitment to the promotion of local artists and talent. Michael Musclow, Oceans & Lights and Playing for Tips will all be gracing the stage during the day-long event, starting at 10:30 a.m. Doors open at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the Shatford Centre Auditorium. Entry is via the rear of the building near Penticton Secondary School. Regular admission is $2 per person. Between 9 to 10 a.m. is the ‘Early Bird Hour’ for a special admission rate of $5. Admission is free for children 10 and under when accompanied by an adult.