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Westside Daze: Celebrating 15-plus decades in Canada

West Kelowna festival combines history, tradition, community for planned event June 30 to July 1
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Westside Daze is set for another year of free family fun for the whole family. - Image: Kathy Michaels/Capital News

By Brenda Giesbrecht

There really is something for everyone at this year’s Westside Daze. Voted ‘Best Annual Community Event in the Central Okanagan,” the weekend includes a kids’ fair, show-n-shine, free concerts and performances, parade, craft sale, pancake breakfast, Canada Day cake, trunk sale and Okanagan Day.

“This is a positive event, a celebration,” said event president Leah Thordarson. “West Kelowna has had such a traumatic time lately, we need to celebrate what’s good in our lives and remind ourselves that we’ll get through this.”

This year’s theme is Celebrating 15+ Decades in Canada.

“We wanted to reflect the long history of all this community, which is why there is a ‘plus’ after the number 15,” noted Thordarson. “It honours all decades and all citizens.”

Although the recent flooding has impacted the site for the event, the committee has found ways to cope with the challenges.

“The fireworks show will be held Friday night,” said Thordarson, “and we’ve added a few new events to our schedule of favourites.”

Children can look forward to working their way through a maze during the Kids’ Fair on Saturday, an interesting course constructed by fences with plant covering. As is their practice, the committee has ensured that all events, including the maze, are free for participants. The fair runs noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday after the parade.

The second new event is a Trunk Sale on Saturday, after the Kids’ Fair and before the evening concerts. There is no cost to enter the Trunk Sale—just load up your car’s trunk with unwanted treasures from home to sell. No commercial products or handicrafts, please (there are booths available for those). Planet Earth Recycling will be on hand to take any of your unsold or unwanted items if so desired.

The weekend starts Friday night at Memorial Park with the opening ceremony, a magic show by Leif David, a Tom Petty Tribute concert and fireworks at Gellatly Bay.

Besides events already mentioned, Saturday will include a community Canada Day cake for all to share and a fabulous show by the Kinshira Fire Troupe late in the evening. And Sunday starts with a pancake breakfast, then concerts and cars.

Remember that the schedule is subject to change. And remember to bring lawns chairs for the concerts.

“Come help us celebrate what is good and fun in West Kelowna,” said Thordarson.