Image Credit: THE CANADIAN PRESS

After two years of pandemic restrictions hampering Canada Day celebrations, they’ve returned in in a big way across the Thompson-Okanagan region.

We’ve compiled a list of cool July 1 activities around the region for families and visitors to enjoy.

Central Okanagan

Kelowna

Festivals Kelowna is hosting a folk festival July 1 throughout the city’s downtown centre. Activities will be held from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Waterfront, Stuart and Kerry parks, as well as Prospera Place. Events include drop-in activities, food, local artisans and live performances.

The 47th annual Folk Fest is also taking place at Prospera Place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Kelowna City Concert Band is also performing at the events centre from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

A firework show will take place over Okanagan Lake starting at 10 p.m. and can be viewed in front of Waterfront Park and Tugboat Beach in Kelowna, according to Tourism Kelowna.

For a full list of activities, visit Festival Kelowna’s website.  

West Kelowna

Westside Daze is returning to West Kelowna for a Canada Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. in Memorial Park. The day kicks off with a show and shine followed by kids activities and a battle of the bands in the afternoon before a performance by Beamer Wigley at 7:45 p.m.

More information can be found online here.  

Lake Country

After a two-year hiatus, the Rotary Club of Lake Country is excited to invite residents and visitors to come to Swalwell Park for Canada starting with a pancake breakfast at 8 to 11:30 a.m.

Leif the Magician, J. S. Garcia Band and Lake Country Big Band will be performing on the Swalwell Park stage.

Community groups will be providing interactive and drop-in activities on the park grounds. Events continue until 9 p.m.

North Okanagan

Vernon

A Canada Day celebration will take place in Vernon without the fireworks this year. A packed day of family activities is planned for Polson Park including: bouncy castles, face paintings, market vendors, a giant water fight and a kids bike parade. The event takes place from noon until 9:30 p.m. Find more information here.

Armstrong

Armstrong’s celebrations kick off at Memorial Park starting at 8:30 a.m. and run until 9 p.m. Celebrations include food and live music along with art and cultural presentations. The opening ceremony begins at 10:45 a.m. For more information and to see an event schedule, visit the Armstrong Chamber of Commerce’s website.  

South Okanagan

Osoyoos

This small South Okanagan community is celebrating Canada Day with a bang this year. The 72nd annual Cherry Fiesta begins at 8:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast in the Town Square, followed by a parade at 11 a.m. down Main Street.

Fireworks take place at 10 p.m., as part of the festival’s 25th-anniversary fireworks show, according to the Osoyoos Festival Society.

The annual double celebration, July 1 and cherries being the first harvest of the year, originated in 1948 when Osoyoos was a small village.

Penticton

Penticton will celebrate the day with events in Gyro Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with live music, arts and crafts, vendors, an obstacle course and yoga in the park.

For more information, visit Downtown Penticton’s website. 

Thompson Nicola

Kamloops

Canada Day festivities are to Riverside Park in Kamloops following a two-year COVID-19 pandemic hiatus.

Like most cities in the Thompson-Okanagan region, the past two July 1 celebrations were scaled back to online events.

Around 30,000 people are expected to attend the full-day event. Celebration begin with a pancake breakfast, followed by artistic and cultural displays, then community festivities. Finally, Music in the Park will present its season-opening performance.

Flooding will not impact activities in Riverside Park, according to the City of Kamloops.

Merritt

The City of Merritt’s plans are proceeding without fireworks this year, due to concerns around wildfire.

A pancake breakfast begins at 7 a.m. at the Civic Centre, followed by children’s events and games at 11 a.m. in Rotary Park. A performance by the Doug James Band will start at 3 p.m.

What are your plans for Canada Day? Did we miss and event? Let us know in the comments below.

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