Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
Play On! street hockey (Photo credit: playon.ca)
By Pete McIntyre
Two-day event

Street hockey festival coming to Kelowna

Jul 7, 2022 | 1:00 PM

A street hockey celebration will take place in Kelowna this fall.

Play On! Canada, a not-for-profit sport organization, has announced Canada’s largest mass participation sports festival will be held in the Okanagan city October 1-2, the last stop on the nine-city series of street hockey celebrations across Canada.

The event will take place on Water Street, near Prospera Place.

“I’m thrilled to see Play On! return to our community,” said Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran. “It’s a fun weekend for street hockey enthusiasts of all ages, from beginners to professional hockey players. Events such as Play On! bring vibrancy to our community and are a great economic stimulus.”

Known for their inclusivity, Play On! street hockey festivals are for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels, from newcomer to NHL star. With a registration fee of $49 (no tax for youth) for the weekend, and the need for only running shoes and a hockey stick, anyone can participate in the action.

Four Deaths in Three Months
Vernon saw one fatal overdose death in March
15h ago
11 Affected Customers
Blown transformer caused downtown power outage
16h ago
Rising Water Levels
High Streamflow Advisory issued for the Okanagan
18h ago

“Our youth have endured two years of not being able to play as they usually would,” said Scott Hill, Chairman, Play On! Canada. “Street hockey also has potential to unite Canadians. We are excited to partner with communities to provide this unique opportunity for people of all ages to gather, laugh, reminisce, reconnect, and play together. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

For more information on Play On! and to get involved, visit www.playon.ca.

by Pete McIntyre
View Comments

Other Matters

Self-protection
Special self defense classes for seniors in Vernon
A local agency and a martial arts academy will be putting on special self defense classes to mark B.C. Seniors Week.On June 3, NexusBC Community Resource Centre and Sifu Rob of Breakthrough Martial Arts will host two Self-Defense for Seniors classes.The courses will be held at the Schubert Centre, with one open to mobi...
18m ago
Read More
visitor expansion
Kelowna gets direct air link to Ottawa
Kelowna's status as an important national visitor hub has grown further with the start of a direct air link to the capital.Porter Airlines landed at YLW Wednesday- the only airline offering non-stop flights between Kelowna and Ottawa.There are five weekly roundtrip flights, increasing to six weekly flights in June.Mayo...
12h ago
Read More
growth
Six-storey residential building in West Kelowna approved
West Kelowna council has approved a development permit for a six-storey, 74-unit rental residential building at 3720 Old Okanagan Highway.Some variances were issued regarding parking spaces. The rental units will be on four storeys with ground floor commercial and outdoor amenity space provided on the sixth storey.Thir...
12h ago
Read More
Four Deaths in Three Months
Vernon saw one fatal overdose death in March
Vernon saw four suspected illicit toxic drug deaths in the first three months of 2026.That's according to preliminary figures from the B.C. Coroners Service, which reported one death linked to unregulated drug deaths in the North Okanagan city in March.That built on the three deaths in January, as there were no deaths ...
15h ago
Read More
Wetsch is a San Jose Shark
Rockets captain inks NHL deal
The Kelowna Rockets have signed Carson Wetsch to a three-year NHL entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks.Wetsch, 20, captained the Rockets in 2025-26, finishing with 72 points in 65 regular-season games.He spent four WHL seasons, including time with Calgary before joining Kelowna in 2025."Carson is a player...
15h ago
Read More
11 Affected Customers
Blown transformer caused downtown power outage
Nearly a dozen B.C. Hydro customers in Vernon's downtown core lost power Wednesday afternoon.Reports said a transformer blew in the alley near the bus depot at 12:38 p.m. May 13.The incident caused an outage that the utility provider initially said affected 27 properties, but later confirmed that only 11 were impacted....
16h ago
Read More
Rising Water Levels
High Streamflow Advisory issued for the Okanagan
The recent precipitation and ongoing snowmelt have raised some concerns about streamflows.The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a High Streamflow Advisory for the Okanagan Wednesday, May 13.The agency warned the river levels were rising or expected to rise rapidly, and while no major flooding was expected it did say lo...
18h ago
Read More
Destination Events Program
Provincial grants going to grow sporting events in the North Okanagan
The North Okanagan is getting a boost to help in its journey to become a sports destination.Through the provincial Destination Events Program, grants will be provided to support several events in the region.Crankworx SilverStar - $25,000Vernon Winter Carnival - $19,000Sovereign2Silverstar Ski Marathon - $14,000ISU Nort...
18h ago
Read More
River Levels Rising
RDNO urges caution around moving water
With the recent weather causing water to move more quickly through rivers, the regional district is urging people to be cautious.The Regional District of North Okanagan said warm temperatures, ongoing snowmelt, and precipitation cause water levels to rise rapidly, noting that fast-moving, high water can create unpredic...
19h ago
Read More

What Matters

Four Deaths in Three Months
Vernon saw one fatal overdose death in March
15h ago
11 Affected Customers
Blown transformer caused downtown power outage
16h ago
Rising Water Levels
High Streamflow Advisory issued for the Okanagan
18h ago
River Levels Rising
RDNO urges caution around moving water
19h ago
job action
B.C. nurses vote for strike, as union boss raises prospect of dispute amid World Cup
May 12, 2026