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KELOWNA – With temperatures expected to reach 36 Celsius in Kelowna this August long weekend, it’s a great time to get out and enjoy the last month of summer in the Thompson-Okanagan.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club in West Kelowna is holding a free program for kids five-years-old and under. Meet new people, play with the toys, make crafts, and more until noon.

If that’s not enough, the H2O Adventure & Fitness Center in Kelowna is providing a great way to catch up with family and friends in the outdoors while the kids play classic outdoor games like kick the can, capture the flag, California kickball, bocce and more. The all ages event runs from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 2. The price is included in H2O membership and $40 for non-members. 

The Kelowna Family Y on Hartman Road is also hosting an exciting camp to keep your kids busy, active and healthy this summer. Your child will have the opportunity to play a variety of organized sports, engage in some wild and wacky team challenges, as well as try out some or our kid approved active game favorites at this morning half day outdoor camp. It also includes a community outing and swim time in the pool.

It runs from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for kids between five and eight and between eight and 12.

For more information contact Child and Youth Program Manager Stacey Wells at swells@ymcaokanagan.ca or call 250-491-9622 to register. 

In case the outdoors isn't your thing, on Saturday night, 12 singles will vie for the affections of four sexy and eligible bachelors and bachelorettes in Josh and Erich’s Dating Game at Dakodas comedy lounge.

This fun and funny event is hosted by Erich Dachwitz and Josh Ashton. There will be prizes for audience members and lots of laughs. Visit Dakoda’s website to make a reservation.

Learn how to dance like a Bollywood star this weekend at The Alternator Centre for Contemporary Art. Their second event of the series “Phulkari: Pieces of Our Shared Stories Within the Fields” covers the basics of Bollywood and includes influences of tribal Indian dance, classical, jazz, hip hop and belly dancing. This free event starts at 3 p.m. for dancers of all ages and abilities. Email rishma@alternatorcentre.com to reserve your spot.

If a short road trip sounds like a good way to spend the long weekend, the annual Kamloopa Pow Wow begins Friday, July 31, and is expected to bring at least 5,000 people a day to the Tk'emlups Indian Band Powwow grounds in Kamloops. 

Tk’emlups Chief Shane Gottfriedson, who will be stepping down after four consecutive terms to take on the role of B.C. Regional Chief, will be hosting the men’s fancy on Saturday evening, one of the most athletic of all the men’s dances.

General admission is $10 per day or $20 for the entire weekend. Grand entries are Friday, July 31, at 7 p.m., Saturday at noon and 7 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 2 at noon.

Also in the Kamloops area, the Alpine Blossom Festival Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 at Sun Peaks Resort. The festival will host a wide variety of events, including hikes to the Tod Mountain summit, live music, kid-friendly events like face painting and a bouncy castle, photography workshops and an outdoor movie, Big Hero 6.

Country music fans can finally stop counting down the days to the long-awaited Rockin' River music festival in Merritt. With Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Big and Rich, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many more set to perform it will be a solid weekend of country music fun.

If you are heading south this weekend, the Ultra 520k Canada Race also takes place throughout the August long weekend in Penticton. The three-day, 520 kilometre individual endurance event begins Saturday morning with a 10 kilometre swim on Skaha Lake, starting in Penticton and finishing in Okanagan Falls, followed by a 149.8 km bike ride from Okanagan Falls to the Richter Pass and back again.

Sunday’s race portion includes a 275.8 km bike ride from Penticton to Princeton, and Monday the race is completed with an 84.4 km run from Princeton to Summerland — all to be completed within 36 hours.

The Rotary Wheels Car Show will also be taking place in Penticton in Rotary Park east of the Peach Concession on Saturday, August 1 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. In addition to hundreds of classic, custom and show cars there will be live entertainment, a beverage garden and food and car merchandise vendors.

On holiday Monday, the Downtown Penticton Association will be hosting BC Day Family Party in the Park from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., offering free family entertainment all day in Gyro Park. There will a petting zoo, bouncy castles, kids’ crafts, live music and market vendors on hand. Be sure to be on hand for B.C. Day cake cutting at 12 p.m.

Did we miss an event? Leave it in the comments section below.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

News from © iNFOnews, 2015