Syilx Okanagan Singers, Drummers and Dancers at the Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture (photo by Sproing Creative via the Sundog Festival)

By Liam Verster

Culture Days Participation Recognition

Greater Vernon among the top Culture Days participating communities

Jan 6, 2025 | 6:00 AM

Greater Vernon has again been recognized as a champion of arts, culture and creativity.

For the second year in a row, Vernon was named one of Canada’s top participating communities for Culture Days.

The Arts Council of North Okanagan said Vernon placed third across Canada in the ‘Top Participating Community List for Small Municipalities’ participating in the events in 2024.

“This recognition speaks to the spirit of creativity and community that defines our city,” Vernon mayor, Victor Cumming, said.

“It’s a reflection of the dedication of local artists, organizations, volunteers, and residents who continue to make Vernon a place where culture and the arts are celebrated year-round.”

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Culture Days ran from Sep. 20 to Oct. 1, 2024, and, in Vernon, featured the second annual Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture – a two-day celebration of arts and culture with musical performances, Indigenous groups and artists, multicultural performance groups, an artisan market and more. the Arts Council said these events helped draw the largest crowd to date to the celebrations at Polson Park.

“The second annual Sundog Festival of Arts & Culture and start to Culture Days was one to remember,” Arts Council of the North Okanagan (ACNO) executive director and Sundog co-founder, Shawna Patenaude, said.

“Attendance was completely free and it was an incredible two days of music, art, culture, and community with so many to thank for their support and attendance.”

The ACNO did not provide an estimated count of attendees for the 2024 events.

The ACNO and regional partners have started preparations for the 16th annual Culture Days, which will run from Sept. 19 to Oct. 12, 2025.

Anyone interested in supporting the celebrations b volunteering for the Sundog Festival or other committees, can contact the ACNO online to learn more about how they can get involved.

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