Penticton residents and visitors will likely be getting two new community events to add to their summer schedules.
City council unanimously approved proposals Monday evening to bring an outdoor concert and a sport entertainment festival to the municipality.
The Summer Kick Off concert will take place on June 19 from 4 to 6:20 p.m. at Gyro Park. According to event promoters Fresh Entertainment Services, the family-orientated concert will feature Okanagan preforming artists: Dan & Landon, Windborn and Tiana Monaghan.
Fresh Entertainment said they expect between 750 to 1,500 people to attend the concert.
The promoters said if enough people sign up, they are planning to have a shuttle service from kelowna to penticton for the event. t
Single tickets will be $15 or $20 with the shuttle; families of four will be $35 or $45 with the shuttle; and seven and under will be free. Forty per cent of ticket proceeds will benefit the salvation army.
Food and merchandise will be sold at show but not alcohol.
There is, however, a beer garden planned for Wet Ape Productions’ Driftwood Festival July 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Skaha Beach.
A sporting event that will feature over 500 athletes competing in four sports: beach volleyball, beach soccer, street hockey and basketball, the festival will include a village of vendors with food, sponsor tents, art exhibitions, retail booths and interactive games.
The beer garden, said Wet Ape, will host a combination of DJs, live bands, swimwear competitions and fashion shows for $5 to $10.
Well known for organizing the Centre of Gravity event in Kelowna, Wet Ape owner and operator Scott Emslie said all entertainment at the festival will be tasteful and appropriate for all ages.
“We run a very professional event,” said Emslie. “We are very well organized and everything will run smoothly.”
Emslie said that Wet Ape has contacted the Junior Chamber International’s local service club regarding the operation of the beer garden and are awaiting an answer from the organization after their AGM this Friday.
“The JCIs are looking, as I understand it, to get away from the Mr. Muscle and Miss Bikini contest,” said Emslie. “They are looking at the option of focusing more on Driftwood because the nature of this event is more of what they think they want to be associated with.
“We would really like to see the JCIs involved in our event.”
With up to 2,000 spectators expected at the free festival, Emslie said his team is looking for extra space for attendees to park their vehicles, perhaps at the old water-slide site.
“We could have a shuttle running at peak times from Skaha Beach to the downtown,” he said. “It is something we would definitely be willing to look at, and cover the costs if we decided that was required.”
Emslie received verbal support from much of council.
“I think it is an awesome opportunity to re-engage and reignite youth and the young at heart back to the city of Penticton,” said Coun. Andrew Jakubeit.
The city will receive just over $1,700 in rental fees for the concert and about $8,400 for the Driftwood Festival. Emslie said he will also cover the costs of any additional RCMP officers required to be shifted as a result of his event.
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