FILE PHOTO - The Kamloopa Powwow is an impressive cultural event.

(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)

Fun with wheels, music and movies fill the BC Long weekend from Kamloops to Penticton.

Be sure to get out in the sun to check out some of these great events.

KAMLOOPS

Kamloopa Powwow Society invites everyone to join in on celebrating the 40th Annual Kamloopa Powwow hosted by the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc at the Special Events Facility on Highway 5 and Shuswap Road Aug. 2 to 4.

Over 500 dancers and drummers are expected from across Canada and the United States. The Powwow attracts over 15,000 spectators over the weekend to take in the colourful sights and spectacular sounds of the dancers and drummers.

The three-day celebration begins with opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. today, Aug. 2. After the Grand Entry, there will be intertribal dancing when everyone from all nations may come and join the circle to dance.

A second Grand Entry will be at noon Saturday, followed by intertribal dancing and exhibition dancing of tiny tots.

The third day Grand Entry on Sunday will be at noon, which will follow the princess pageant at 11 a.m.

Come and experience the First Nation culture. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Admission is free for Elders, people with special needs and children under six years of age. Tickets can be purchased, cash only, at the gates. General (age 7-59) admission is $10/day or $20/weekend pass (includes drummers & dancers) per person. Camping is on a first come first serve basis with the purchase of a weekend pass. Showers available on site. RV parking in designated areas only (no hookups). Drugs or alcohol will not be permitted.

Visit their Facebook page here.

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Join in on the free outdoor rock concert at Riverside Park bandshell Friday, Aug. 2 with Fully Loaded, part of this year’s Music in the Park series.

Get ready for some classic rock featuring Sally Melo on vocals, Robert Graves on guitar/vocals, Dave Young on bass/vocals and Rod Senft on the drum kit.

The evening gets underway at 7 p.m.

VERNON

Take in the stars while taking in a flick.

Silver Star Mountain Resort is offering a free movie night. Bring a blanket, pillow and your family and friends for a great night out. There will be snacks and popcorn for purchase from Evolve which opens at 7 p.m. on movie night.

Movies will commence after dark, approximately 8 p.m. How to Train Your Dragon will show Saturday, August 3 with Aladdin showing August 17.

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Come discover key insights into the geological history of the area of BX Ranch Park Saturday, August 3 with a guided tour provided by The Highlands of East Hill and the Okanagan Science Centre.

From 10 a.m. to noon nature seekers will learn how to distinguish between local and invasive species, including wildlife and plants.

The event is by donation and proceeds go directly to the Okanagan Science Centre. Bring water and a camera. Muffins and a water station will be available on site. Contact Tai Kolenko at 250-938-5408 for more info.

KELOWNA

The Okanagan Dream Rally is back for the fourth year on Sunday, August 4.

This parade of high-end, luxury vehicles will see drivers, accompanied by their special co-pilots, make their way from downtown Kelowna to Penticton.

The event, which was created by the August Family Foundation, gives young people who are struggling or ill an opportunity to put aside their hardships for a few hours while raising money for Ronald McDonald House and JoAnna’s House.

The fun starts at 9 a.m. at the sails on Bernard Avenue. Be sure to keep your eyes open for the iNFOnews car which will be near the front of the rally. iNFOnews is a proud media sponsor of the event.

Keep in mind,there will be several road closures from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday. Visit here for more info. 

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Homelessness is No Picnic returns Saturday, August 3 to City Park in Kelowna.

From 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., the Kelowna Gospel Mission will host its third annual picnic barbecue behind the water park. There will be a free barbecue with hamburgers, cotton candy and popcorn, live music, face painting and more.

Everyone is welcome. Visit here for more info. 

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Kelowna Summerfest Rugby Sevens is the Okanagan’s newest sporting spectacle designed to entertain both long time rugby fans and new spectators.

Rugby 7s is a fast, athletic and physical sport that combines the speed and agility of Olympic track events with the power of the hardest contact sports.

Summerfest is a two-day event Saturday, Aug. 3 and Sunday, Aug. 4 in City Park. There will be 24 teams from across Canada with $11,000 in prize money up for grabs.

Along with high quality rugby, there will be DJs, live bands, a beer garden, a family zone and of course, Okanagan Lake for taking a plunge between matches.

General entry will be by donation and proceeds will go to our charitable partners to help promote sports in the Okanagan – Elevation Outdoors, Kelowna Crows and Central Okanagan Rugby Enthusiasts.

Please see the website, or contact info@summerfestsevens.com for more information.

PENTICTON

The car shows keep rolling in.

The Rotary Wheels Car Show comes to Rotary Park, just east of the iconic Peach concession on the shores of Okanagan Lake Saturday, August 3.

Winning cars receive awards which are attractively framed photos of scenes from earlier days in the Okanagan. Best of Class awards are voted on by vehicle owners. Members of the public choose the recipient of the People’s Choice award and a special trophy is presented in honour of the Late Ken Paton, a long time supporter of the Rotary Wheels Car Show.

The all day event begins at 9 a.m. and features live entertainment, food and car merchandise vendors. Learn more here.

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Here’s something different for the whole family to enjoy.

The Naramata Cardboard Boat Race on Sunday, August 4 will be a blast. Grab your friends, family, guests and anyone brave enough to enter a cardboard boat with you.

Draft and built your cardboard boat, meet at Naramata Elementary School at 10 a.m. and parade your boat to Manitou Park. There will be trophies for the fastest boat, the best decorated boat, the best team costumes, the team with the most spirit, the boat that stays afloat the longest and the Titanic Award.

The entire boat must be built from cardboard and duct tape. Check here for boat building rules and what materials are permitted. 

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Get your ride on Sunday, August 4 with the Penticton to Little Tunnel KVR cycling day.

The Little Tunnel is a very popular destination for bikers. The 28 km return ride is a consistent two to six per cent grade uphill to Little Tunnel. It is a climbing ride and the grades vary, but downhill coming back. Along with the beautiful KVR trail system, you will enjoy amazing Naramata Bench views of the vineyards and both lakes.

Meet at Vancouver Place in Penticton. Directions: Head up Vancouver Avenue and turn left onto Vancouver Place. Continue to the end of the cul-de-sac and you will see the start of the trail.

Be sure to bring along a spare tube, lunch and lots of water. Meet in the bike parking lot at 9:45 a.m. and make sure you are ready to go at 10am. More info here.

To contact our events coordinator, email Stacy Pavlov or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

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