Vernon’s Canada Day event celebrates local residents, music and events

Mayla Janzen from the North Okanagan organizing committee told Vernon Matters they have made some changes for this year’s event.

“We’re doing things a little differently this year and really focusing on a celebration of Vernon with free fruit and produce to snack on, and local music, vendors, and organizations being featured over the afternoon,” said Janzen.

The family-friendly events will start at noon and culminate with a concert from Vernon’s own Andrew Allen at night. Allen will start at 8:00 p.m., performing until 9:30. (See full list of performers below)

“We could not do the fireworks this year,” Janzen said in an interview with Beach Radio’s Morning Show. “We were kind of on time constraints, but we’re doing our best to make up for that by having a whole bunch of local Vernon musicians come out, Vernon-centric presentations from local organizations and then we’re also going to have a big splash park area.”

Armstrong and Enderby are among other local communities that will have Canada Day events.

Planned events for Vernon Canada Day at Polson Park

Starts at noon with activities until 9:30 p.m.
Large focus on community engagement.
Square dancers, doing a series of demonstrations and lessons
- BC Wildfire Service with a truck to show kids
- Outreach Literacy Society with story walk
- Emmanuel Baptist Church with a bouncy castle/inflatable slide
Community art activities
- Service road in Polson Park being used as giant chalk art area for all ages interested. Evolve Beyond Education donating almost 600 pieces of chalk.
- Large canvas art project for Vernonites to contribute to, to be later displayed at Riot on the Roof and any other community events.
Skate competition hosted by Okanagan Skate Co. in the skatepark.
Spray zone in fenced area, including water guns and kiddie pools for refilling stations.
Dunk tank
Fruitfest to help promote nutrition and local farmers.
Polson Artisan Night Market & Food Truck Garden adjacent to the music and other activities, giving local residents a chance to feature and sell their wares.
Local music: from 12 pm till 9:30/10, a series of local artists will take to the stage.
- Focus on family-friendly, Vernon-based artists.
- The Square dancing group will take the stage from 1 to 2.

Music Schedule for Canada Day

Noon
Marv Machura
Solo artist doing covers of classic folk & more.

1 pm
Star Country Squares
Local square dancing organization coming to perform and do lessons.

1:45
Kalamalka Highlanders Pipe Band Society
Local pipe band formed in 1984.

2 pm
Tomy Tisdale
Singer from the Carbons with acoustic set

3 pm
Hot Sax
Funking and rocking with sax, stand up bass, and guitar.

4 pm
October Poppy
Sister duo band from Vernon, rocking indie power-pop with psychedelic keys.

5 pm
Tanner Dawson
Country singer from Chase, B.C. Traditional country vocals mixed with an influence of rock, blues, funk and 90’s country.

6 pm
Liz Blair
Singer/songwriter from Armstrong with powerful soulful blues voice that is high energy.

7 pm
Cat Wells
Powerhouse female singer with uncanny ability to mimic voices such as Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, Joan Jett, Stevie Nicks and others.

8 pm
Andrew Allen
Vernon’s own pop icon. Well known for his Christmas shows, and for being a great live performer.

For more information, check the Vernon Canada Day website.

by Pete McIntyre

Vernon’s Canada Day event celebrates local residents, music and events

Planned events for Vernon Canada Day at Polson Park

Music Schedule for Canada Day

What Matters