Funtastic Was ‘Fantastic’

Another Funtastic Festival is in the books – and organizers are pleased with how the 33rd annual went.

Executive director Tony Pallas says there were no major issues during the four day event at the DND grounds.

“It was overall a fantastic music festival and slo-pitch tournament. I mean being Canada’s largest, we’re always happy to showcase it, and the reality is, the crowds were great, the patrons who attended the events were fantastic, and it was an overall real positive vibe,” Pallas tells Kiss FM.

Pallas says the success was measured by the smiles on the faces of the ball players.

“We listened to them and brought it back to the players. We had the beer garden that extended to the Twisted Tea diamond, and on Saturday night as the sun was setting, as the games were being played and people were watching, it was absolutely fantastic, and we feel it was a very successful event.”

A change to the format for one part of the slo-pitch tournament seemed to pay off.

Pallas says some teams had a chance to win the top prize of $2,500 in the most competitive division.

“Our A division, what we did was up the ante and offered cash, so there was a lot of competition for those last couple games, and it was really cool to see all the players come around and watch the showcase of the finals.”

The Redline Reapers of Kelowna won the division.

Pallas thanks the people who helped put on the event, the proceeds from which are put back into the community.

“It’s amazing to see how this event comes together. It’s a 100 percent volunteer-driven event ans it couldn’t happen without the support of the community, all the local businesses, and of course the volunteers who are putting in tireless hours through blistering heat and dust and wind to try and pull this tournament off to make sure all the players are happy.”

Photo from Funtastic Sports Society