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Oliver to hold 100X100 Festival

Festivities will begin on Friday, Aug. 13
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A centennial celebration will be held in Oliver beginning on Friday, Aug. 13. (Contributed)

The community of Oliver is celebrating 100 years with a festival beginning this weekend.

The 100x100 Festival is a tribute to 100 years of Oliver community (1921-2021) which was formed on and shaped by the ancestral, traditional, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation, whose history stretches back 10,000 years.

The festival will run Aug. 13 to 22 and provides many ways for locals and visitors of all ages to come together and commemorate the people, places, land and culture of the community.

The festivities will kick off on Friday Aug. 13 with the grand opening of the Oliver Small Wheels Park taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. The park, originally built in 2000, underwent a major upgrade at the end of 2019, however the pandemic thwarted plans for an event in 2020.

Everyone is welcome to join Pentagon Boardshop and members of the Whistler Skateboard Club for demonstrations, mini-contests, prizes and giveaways plus bring a few dollars to support the Oliver Lions/Lionesses Club who will be on site with a fundraiser barbecue.

READ ALSO: Call for local artists to design centennial logo for Oliver

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On Saturday Aug. 14, the Oliver Museum will have exhibit viewing, a scavenger hunt, gold-panning, a prize draw, and crafts running all day. Later that evening Nikita Afonso will headline a free concert in the park in Community Park, sponsored by the Oliver Community Arts Council. Originally from Penticton, Afonso has performed worldwide with a blend of pop and rock. She has opened for country musician Paul Brandt and has shared the stage with Keith Urban. The Cliff Macintyre Band will open the show. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Gates open at 5 p.m.

The Junior Triathlon is making a comeback in 2021 on the morning of Sunday, Aug. 15. Children from three to 12 years of age will swim in the Oliver Pool and complete bike and run laps around Community Park in the non-competitive event. A special 100x100 finishing medal will be provided to all participants at the finish line. Cost to participate is $20 and registration is now open online at oliverrecreation.ca, by phone at 250-498-4985 or stop by the Administration Office 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday at 6359 Park Dr.

Don’t forget to check out all of the activities happening daily at the Oliver Museum as well as the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre.

The big 100x100 Community Celebration will be held Sunday, Aug. 22 at Oliver Community Centre and Park. The event will kick off at 10 a.m. with a bike parade. Create your own “float” by decorating your bike, scooter, or electric scooter, dressing up, and coming for a lap of the community park. After the bike parade, stick around in Community Park for children’s performer Curty, a magic show with Leif David and live music and dance performances on the main stage.

Those attending are encouraged to try out the food vendors, shop for 100x100 merchandise and items in the artisan market, and wander through the Exhibition Hall and the Old Boys & Gals with Old Toys steam machine display.

To register for events, sign up to volunteer, or for a full calendar of events visit 100×100 – Oliver Parks and Recreation (oliverrecreation.ca)



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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