Penticton Peachfest: Raining on our Parade

As I write this, the Penticton Peachfest parade has been underway for 1.5 hours and it’s been raining almost the whole time.

Amazing, considering we’ve enjoyed an incredibly beautiful summer in Penticton up to this point – hot, dry and completely clear skies day after day and month after month… until today.

Ugh.

And the fact that I’m here writing this post rather than showing my support down on the parade route is just testament to the fact that I must now be officially a Pentictonite, i.e. someone who runs for cover the moment that it rains.  

Actually, I did partake in the festivities for about half an hour. I listened to music of the various marching bands as it wafted up the hillside to my hot tub.

Oh well, tomorrow is Kiddie’s Day at Peachfest and they too have a parade. With a better weather offing in the forecast – Ed and I will venture down to see the kids for sure. In the meantime, here are our pictures from the Penticton Peachfest Parade of 2007.

Penticton Peach Festival Starts Today

The biggest and busiest event of the year in Penticton, British Columbia is undoubtedly the Peach Festival, otherwise known as Peachfest.

Beginning back in 1947 to celebrate the peach harvest, 2008 marks the 61st annual Peachfest, which runs from August 5th through 10th. It actually started last night with the Canadian Forces Snowbirds reception at the Penticton Lakeside Resort Convention Centre & Casino… but who’s counting?

Anyway, during the 6-day festival there will be parades, bands, dancers, martial arts demonstrations, hypnotist shows, a wide variety of food & merchandise vendors, arts and crafts exhibits, aboriginal arts & crafts, two parades, the Sand Castle competition, and a Square Dance Festival. The featured performer is Nashville country recording artist Aaron Pritchett who will be at the Lake City Casinos Sound Stage on Friday August 8th. No doubt the kiddies will be lined up to see the Hanna Montana tribute artist.

The festival starts tonite when the Snowbirds perform at 6PM with best viewing from Okanagan Lake park. After the airshow, there will be a traditional Syilx Welcome Ceremony with Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Penticton Indian Band. The Honorable Stockwell Day, MP will also give a welcoming address.

The Peach Festival Grand Parade – one of the largest parades in BC – takes place on Saturday. There will be a huge variety of marching bands and floats from all over BC, Alberta, Washington and points beyond.

Kiddies Day is on Sunday and they have their own parade which starts at 11AM that goes down Main Street to Okanagan Lake Park where the kids will find face painters, stilt walkers, balloon artists, and even Ronald MacDonald.

If you’re in the area, come on down to Penticton for the Peachfest. You’ll have a blast!

2007 Penticton Peachfest Parade

At just before 10AM this morning Ed and I tripped down the hill to the corner of Eckhardt Avenue and Main Streets to watch the 60th Annual Penticton Peachfest Parade.

Touted as one of the largest parades in British Columbia, there were floats from cities and towns around BC, Alberta and Washington State.

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