As Penticton prepares to host two major festivals, city officials say drivers can expect busy parking lots and extra road congestion through Sunday, Sept. 8.
The Pentastic Hot Jazz & Music Festival, as well as the Penticton Dragonboat Festival, both return this weekend. The latter is expected to bring around 1,500 travelling athletes to the city.
While dragon boaters compete on Skaha Lake, the jazz-themed event will welcome guests and musicians from across North America to the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre.
The festivals run from Sept. 6 to 8.
"Plan for extra congestion in the area and anticipate busy parking lots," the city said.
The Penticton Dragonboat Festival, now entering its 23rd year, will also feature food trucks, a vendors’ market and beverage garden inside Skaha Lake Park.
Around 65 boat teams, some from as far as Manitoba, will be at the event.
In a press release on Sept. 4, the city said boat trailer parking will be "very limited" this weekend.
People are encouraged to use launches in Kaleden and Okanagan Falls, as a result.
"There will be no day-use beach parking for boats available at Skaha Lake Park on Saturday or Sunday," officials added.
This weekend's festivals precede a busy month of September in Penticton.
Vancouver Canucks training camp, the Young Stars Classic, SummerCamp Rib & Music Fest, and the Canadian Outrigger Distance Championships will all be running on select weekends this month.
