Sundog Festival in Polson Park in 2023 (photo credit: Mallory Gemmel, BC Culture Days)

By Pete McIntyre

fall of 2024

Culture Days and Sundog Festival return to Vernon

Apr 12, 2024 | 2:00 PM

Greater Vernon will get another blast of arts and culture this fall.

The Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) has announced that the 2024 Culture Days will be held from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13 as part of the 15th annual nationwide celebration.

The second annual Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture will kick off the festivities in Vernon’s Polson Park on Sept. 20.

“The Sundog Festival is the opening ceremonies for Culture Days in Greater Vernon and last year, we were honoured to have Premier David Eby as well as local Syilx elders and performers, Sen. Margo Greenwood, MLA Harwinder Sandhu, MP Mel Arnold, Mayor Victor Cumming, and other local representatives attend our event,” ACNO Executive Director Shawna Patenaude said.

Greater Vernon is coming off an impressive fourth place finish nationwide in the Top Participating Community List for hosting Culture Days events in 2023.

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“We couldn’t be prouder of our city’s achievement in ranking fourth nationally for Culture Days in 2023,” Mayor Victor Cumming said. “This accolade is a testament to the great volunteers and staff who every year organize the Sundog Festival, and further underscores the importance of celebrating a vibrant and diverse community where businesses prosper, arts and culture thrive, and residents and visitors gather.”

Patenaude said since it started in 2009, Culture Days has blossomed into a significant cultural movement, offering thousands of free, interactive activities nationwide that cater to all ages and backgrounds. Featuring a myriad of live performances, exhibitions, workshops, demonstrations, and interactive experiences, Culture Days provides a platform for artists, creators, and cultural organizations to showcase their craft, connect with audiences, and foster cultural engagement.

“Culture Days brings our community together in a vibrant display of creativity and talent. Let’s make these three weeks of arts and culture events a truly memorable experience for all,” Patenaude added.

Artists, creatives, and cultural organizations interested in hosting complimentary or donation-based events as part of Greater Vernon’s Culture Days are encouraged to start planning, as registration opens in May.

Click here to view the Culture Days Event Organizer Guide for assistance.

“The benefits of participation are boundless, offering opportunities to expand your audience, collaborate with peers, showcase your talents, and connect with the community,” Patenaude remarked.

Along with event hosts, the ACNO and Sundog Festival committee are seeking cultural performers and volunteers for this year’s 15th annual Culture Days and second annual Sundog Festival.

For more information, contact ed@acno.ca or visit www.acno.ca.