Festival sure to bring laughs

It’s no joke.

The Okanagan Comedy Festival is coming back for another hilarious year, and organizers say it will be bigger and funnier than ever.

From August 21 – 25 the region will welcome several talented stand-up comedians bringing laughter with them from across Canada, around the world and just around the corner.

The festival continues to grow with many returning and new venues including bars, wineries theatres and golf courses stepping up to be venues for the annual funny fest throughout Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton and Lake Country.

Festival organizers are busy working on the final details for this year’s Festival agenda, but say they still have room for event sponsors. If your company is interested in getting involved as a sponsor with the Festival, please contact sponsorship@okanagancomedyfestival.ca or call 1-888-855-8522 before August 9th to get all the details on their sponsor recognition program.

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The event’s General Manager, Robert Gallant, is expecting another great year of growth for the festival.  “This is such a unique region and time of year to be running a comedy festival”, stated Gallant who is a veteran of arts and cultural event coordination across Canada. “I am looking forward to this year’s edition of the Comedy Festival we have been attracting new and exciting venues which is helping us expand our reach in the region. We have a great mix of show locations to showcase our stand-up comedy talent to locals and tourists. Traditionally this is a slow time of year for comedians, but with such a thriving tourist industry in the Okanagan region it is a great opportunity for everyone involved.”

Event founder, president and long-time headline comedian Lars Callieou is busy finalizing the comedian roster. “We are very fortunate to have so many talented comedians lining up to be part of this young and growing festival,” said Callieou. “We are especially proud to be presenting two theatre shows this year including a live recording show for CBC Radio’s Laugh Out Loud hosted by Ali Hassan and another great headline show starring Canada’s wonder woman of comedy, Nikki Payne. I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us as we bring the laughs and take the Okanagan by storm!”

Festival Board Member and celebrated headline comedian Tim Nutt will again be helping the festival with both coordination support and making people laugh. “Helping to grow a comedy festival in my own back yard is a no-brainer”, said Tim.  Nutt, who is a fan favorite at festivals, bars and corporate shows across North America. “Seeing so many new venues and a bigger than ever roster of comedians joining us this year is so encouraging. Give us a couple more years and I believe we will be one of the biggest events featured in the Okanagan region!”

Venue partners presenting shows at this year’s Festival include: In Kelowna –The Okanagan Golf Club, Gallagher’s Canyon Golf Club, Kelowna Curling Club and Freddy’s Brewpub; In Vernon – The Green Pub; In Penticton – Red Rooster Winery, Craft Corner Kitchen and Tugs Tap House; in West Kelowna Carlos O’Bryan’s and in Lake Country the Creekside Theatre.

The festival will be welcoming a huge number of other great comedians from away and right here at home in the Okanagan. Comedians confirmed for this year’s Festival include; Nikki Payne, CBC Radio’s Ali Hassan, Tim Nutt, Lars Callieou, Jason Blanchard, Garret Clark, Terry North, Chris Franklin, Ryan Short, Danny Martinello, Alex Fortin, Rob Balsdon, James Uloth, Mikos Blackshaw, Norm Shaw, Matt Mellon, Scott Belford, Katie Westman, Nitish Sakuja, Victoria Banner, Alex MacKenzie, Ken Hicks and Emily Bilton  with others still in the works including some up-and-coming local talent.

Tickets and schedule details are available at www.okanagancomedyfestival.ca and be sure to visit them on Facebook (@okanagancomedyfestival). You can also call the Festival office at 1-888-855-8522 or email them at info@okanagancomedyfestival.ca.