A summertime tradition in the Okanagan that dates back to 1947 is coming back to Penticton in grand style on Wednesday.
From Canadian icons on the stage to snowbirds and the Skyhawks in the air, this year’s Penticton Peach Festival returns on Aug. 3 with a jammed-pack opening day lineup.
While the festival’s official opening ceremony goes at 7 p.m., residents and visitors have no shortage of activities and entertainment to enjoy starting at 9 a.m.
Gyro Park will be home to the Kids Zone from 9 a.m. to noon before the Jennifer Casey Memorial Peach Bin Races kick off at noon in the 100-block of Main Street.
While the Black Widow Rope Spinners take over Okanagan Lake Park at 1:45 p.m., North America’s top motocross riders will be preparing to dazzle those on Lakeshore Drive for an afternoon full of high-flying moves and thrilling tricks.
The Canadian Tire Mega Motorcross runs shows from Aug. 3 to 5. On Wednesday, though, professional riders will be featured at 2:45 and 4:15 p.m.
The Canadian Forces Skyhawks Parachute Team will jump into Okanagan Lake Park on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Skyhawks will join the Snowbirds for an autograph session at 2 p.m. at Okanagan Lake Park.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be putting on the big show above Okanagan Lake worthy of a 75th birthday party from 6 to 6:45 p.m.
With the official opening ceremony at 7 p.m. expected to last 15 minutes, entertainment around the park will return quickly before Wednesday’s main event takes shape at 9:30 p.m.
Canadian icons Honeymoon Suite will take to the Penticton stage to wrap up Peach Fest’s opening day in 2022.
With hits like New Girl Now and Feel It Again, the Ontario-based rockers will play at Okanagan Lake Park until 11 p.m.
Originally, Doug and the Slugs were slated to play on opening night before Honeymoon Suite. Due to unforeseen circumstances, however, the band was forced to cancel. Vancouver rockers Prism will instead take their place.
Event organizers say the 2022 edition of Peach Fest will be “bigger and better than ever,” with performances from Glass Tiger, Simply Queen and Ben Waters set to follow until the festival’s conclusion on Aug. 7.
The Westcoast Lumberjack shows are a new feature to Peach Fest as the Bike Race, while old favourites are back like the Grand Parade on Saturday, at 10 a.m., the sandcastle competition at Skaha beach on Thursday evening, The entire Peach Fest guide can be found in the July 27 edition of the Penticton Western News.
READ MORE: Penticton Peach Festival changes opening line-up
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Honeymoon Suite headlines opening day on the main stage. (File photo)
