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Province grants $10k to pair of Penticton festivals

Ignite the Arts and Scottish Fest are among almost 100 B.C. events to receive funding
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This Penticton art duo was one of two winners to win a $100 prize at Okanagan Lake Park at the inaugural Ignite the Arts’ Sculpture Contest. The festival has received $10,000 from the province ahead of its next edition in spring 2023. (Logan Lockhart, Western News)

A pair of Penticton-based festivals are on the other end of a tourism grant that combines to provide more than $4.8 million for events across B.C.

Ignite the Arts and the Penticton Scottish Festival have each received $10,000 from B.C.’s Tourism Events Program, the province announced on Thursday, Nov. 10.

The Penticton-based festivals are two of almost 100 events to receive funding, courtesy of the ministry of tourism, arts, culture and sport.

“B.C.’s many sports competitions, arts festivals and events are vital to our tourism sector and a thriving economy,” said Lisa Beare, the minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport. “This program allows organizers to raise awareness about their amazing events and inspires British Columbians and people from around the world to attend.”

The Ignite the Arts Festival debuted as Penticton’s newest event in April 2022.

Organized by the city’s art gallery, curator Paul Crawford said that last spring’s festival generated between $60,000 to $70,000 for the community and helped make Penticton the cultural capital of B.C. for a nine-day stretch.

READ MORE: Penticton’s Ignite the Arts Festival a ‘tremendous’ success for community and economy

The Scottish Festival, meanwhile, returned in early July after a two-year hiatus and welcomed more than 3,000 people for a day that featured Highland dancing, bagpipe competitions and Highland Games.

READ MORE: Scottish Festival brings Highland games and dancing to Penticton

Money will be used to amplify the festivals’ provincial, national and international marketing reach, B.C.’s Tourism Events Program states in a press release.

“Funds must be used to broaden the marketing reach of an event by providing supplemental marketing activitiess,” it reads.

Penticton is the South Okanagan’s lone representation on the province’s grant list. Festivals in Kelowna, Kamloops, Vernon and Merritt were also included.

The full list can be found here.