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‘Bigger and better than ever’: 2 weeks until return of Penticton Peach Festival

The beloved festival runs from Aug. 3 to 7 and will feature both new events and community favourites
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A member of the SkyHawks parachute team colours the skies over Okanagan Lake Park at the Penticton Peach Festival. (Western News file photo)

The Penticton Peach Festival is promised to be bigger and better than ever in 2022.

Don Kendall, the festival’s president, is counting down the days until one of Canada’s most beloved summer events returning to Penticton after a two-year hiatus.

From multi-day motocross competitions to beach volleyball tournaments and live music from renowned artists, the five-day festival’s anticipated return to the community is bound to get people buzzing with excitement in the Peach City once again.

“It’s about time we all got back together, face-to-face, so we can enjoy,” Penticton mayor John Vassilaki said about the festival, just two weeks ahead of its Aug. 3 start. “It’s been two and a half years, practically, that we’ve been able to see each other in person.”

Along with the aforementioned events scheduled to take place, some of the other highlights from this year’s festival include appearances from the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Skyhawks Parachute Team, and rockers Glass Tiger and Honeymoon Suite.

Vassilaki thanked Kendall and the rest of the Peachfest committee for all their work in organizing what they hope is the most successful edition of the event ever, with 2022 marking the 75th anniversary of the festival.

READ ALSO: Glass Tiger, Honeymoon Suite set to rock Penticton’s Peach Fest

“With all of our sponsors and hundreds of volunteers, Peachfest will be back bigger and better than ever,” Kendall said, as he stood before council.

Counc. Katie Robinson, meanwhile, responded to Kendall’s update by reflecting on the festival’s three-quarters of a century-long run in the community.

“It’s truly incredible what you and your directors have done over the decades,” she said. “It’s astounding to see where it started from and where it is now.”

The Penticton Peach Festival float has been recognized at three different festivals away from home in 2022, winning the Golden Apple Award in New Westminister, as well as the Berrysville Award and President’s Awards at a pair of events in Washington State.

READ ALSO: Penticton Peach Festival float wins award in Washington State

“I know the long trips you take to other communities to promote our town and it’s very much appreciated,” Robinson added.

The festival runs from Aug. 3 to 7, with the Grand Parade scheduled for 10 a.m. on Aug. 6 on Main Street and Eckhardt Avenue.

“The parade director mentioned to me that no one from council has entered the parade as of yet, and entries close on Friday,” Kendall said with a laugh.

“I’m always the first guy on the list, so I’ll be at the front,” Vassilaki responded.


@lgllockhart
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com