The Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism would like to thank everyone who took part in and supported the Festival of Lights.
The 25th anniversary was a great success.
An estimated 5,800 people attended the event with more than 1,000 remaining to enjoy the finale concert with Andrew Allen.
Residential light competition
The Chamber is running a Summerland residential light up contest. The winner will receive a trophy and their winning entry will be announced in the Review. The competition will be run through the Festival of Lights Facebook page, where a photo gallery of submissions will be posted. The photo with the most “likes” by 4pm on December 14 will be declared the winner. To submit an entry, email a photo with your name and address to visitors@summerlandchamber.com or drop off your photo at the Visitor Centre. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 12 at 4 p.m. Good luck.
Winery news
The wineries of Bottleneck Drive hosted their second successful Light Up the Vines event on the weekend. Wineries reported a steady stream of visitors, with Saturday being particularly busy.
Winery owner Christine Coletta has been listed as “one to watch” in Vancouver Magazine’s 12th annual Power 50 – the magazine’s list of Vancouver’s 50 most influential people.
Coletta was executive director of the B.C. Wine Institute for 10 years, and she is now the co-owner of Okanagan Crush Pad.
Judi Skinner, sales and marketing manager/viticulturist for Dirty Laundry Vineyard, has recently been elected to the board of directors of the Okanagan Wine Festival Society.
Sally Sharpe of Sumac Ridge Estate Winery was re-elected to the board. Summerland winery industry professional Christa-Lee McWatters Bond of Local Lounge and Grille is also on the board.
Wineries in Summerland continue to expand and draw visitors to the area. An example is Dirty Laundry Vineyard which has gone from 13,500 cases last year to 17,500 this year.
Overall they have increased production tenfold since 2006.
20 years of dance
The Summerland School of Dance is celebrating its 20th Anniversary this season. Congratulations to owner Eva Goss and her team.
New chamber members
Summerland Gold and Silver Exchange Inc. has opened at 13209 North Victoria Road. They are dealers in gold, silver, jewellery, fine art, rare coins and bank notes.
Owner Dionne Bakalos has lived in Summerland for 33 years and is excited about her newest venture.
Dr. Bryn Bentham has opened Spokes Clinical Naturopathy at 3-13219 Victoria Rd N. in Summerland. Stop by the office or visit spokesclinic.com to learn about the clinic’s services.
The chamber welcomes the Summerland Root Cellar Cooperative as a new associate member. The Root Cellar was established in 2012 and its mission is “to act as a catalyst for local food security by encouraging residents to buy local and support community growers.” Visit summerlandrootcellar.ca for more information.
Under new management
The Subway at the Mac’s Convenience Store on Rosedale Avenue is under new management. Manager Aaron Baisarowicz brings his previous experience in the restaurant industry in Penticton and Kelowna to this new role in Summerland.
New partnership
Holistic Wealth in Summerland has joined Manulife Securities Incorporated. Len Colman, BA, CFP, CLU, Investment Advisor and Bob Wareham, B.Comm, Investment Advisor, made the announcement this week. This is the first office for Manulife Securities Incorporated in the South Okanagan.
Sophia Jackson is the Membership Services and Events Coordinator for the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism.