The Funtastic concert stage at DND will be busy this long weekend with the A&W Music Festival. (Photo credit: Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)

By Pete McIntyre

slo-pitch & music

Funtastic returns with fewer teams, more emphasis on locals

Jun 30, 2022 | 1:35 PM

Organizers of the Funtastic Sports and Music Festival are hoping to get strong local support with fewer teams taking part in the event than past years.

The four-day event, which started in 1984, returns today after a two-year pandemic hiatus. Funds generated by the slo-pitch tournament and A&W Music Festival, are invested into community sports grants and projects.

Society president Jamie Austin says about 112 teams will play at the DND in Vernon, down from the 160 in previous years.

“It’s kind of expected coming out of a two year pandemic. People have found things to do and some people aren’t ready to be back fully in the public eye again, but we’re definitely looking for the public support this year,” Austin told Vernon Matters.

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As a way to draw more locals, Austin says they have a houseboat trip giveaway tonight (June 30) in the beer garden.

“You have to be present to win that, but as you enter the beer garden, you get a ticket to win a houseboat trip, so we’re hoping that draws the locals out here.”

A kick-off party will open the music extravaganza tonight with the Shawn Lightfoot Band and DJ Lunchbox, followed by classic rock night on Friday and country music on Saturday (see complete list below).

Image credit: Funtasrtic)

Day passes cost $30 for the music events and $60 for a weekend pass, and are on sale through the Funtastic website.

Austin said the board if directors is “super exited” to see the event return.

“We’ve all got the jitters happening again. I just hope the community comes out and supports us.”

The society president says the festival includes security on the site.

“Our security contractor has been with us for a number of years. The RCMP are here. We’ve got the military police here as well. Security is the number one priority for us.”

While participants are encouraged to have a good time, they are also offered safe rides when they want to leave.

“We’ve got public transit; we’ve got buses on different routes into town, and we’ve also got Vernon Taxi setting up here, so there is that option as well. We do try to provide a safe ride home for most of our patrons,” Austin remarked.

Funtastic beer garden and food vendor area (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters photo)

Festival attendees can buy raffle tickets for a 50/50 draw with a one-time prize.

“All our raffle tickets, they go back to our community grant fund, so anyone who supports that supports other local non-profit sporting groups in the North Okanagan,” said Austin.

For more information on Funtastic, visit their website.