Downtown Sounds concert as part of 2900 Plaza (Liam Verster / Vernon Matters photo)

By Pete McIntyre

heat warning

Vernon’s downtown plaza closed for day, concert cancelled due to heat

Jul 20, 2023 | 3:15 PM

UPDATE: 3:00 p.m.

The 2900 Plaza in downtown Vernon has been temporarily shut down due to the extreme heat.

It also means tonight’s Downtown Sounds concert featuring the Kris Anders Band has been cancelled.

DVA executive director Keelan Murtagh said, as of 3 p.m., it was 63 degrees Celsius on the pavement and 35 degrees in the shade.

“It’s a safety thing. It’s too hot for people. We don’t want any heat stroke happening,” Murtagh told Vernon Matters.

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Heat may impact status of Vernon’s downtown plaza, concert
July 20, 2023 | 11:30 AM

The hot weather may lead to Vernon’s 2900 Plaza having to be temporarily shut down later today, which would impact the popular Downtown Sounds concert set for tonight (July 20).

Keelan Murtagh, executive director of the Downtown Vernon Association, said they adhere to a safety policy during hot weather events.

“It’s forecast to be 38C degrees, which is clearly not safe for people to be coming out, and our internal policy is that if the air temperature hits 36 degrees or greater, then we temporarily shut down the plaza operations,” Murtagh told Vernon Matters.

Murtagh said the DVA will make a decision around 3:30 this afternoon on the status of the event, and will notify media and post it on their Facebook page.

The 2900 Plaza is located on two pedestrian-friendly blocks on 30th Avenue until Aug. 31, featuring activities and entertainment.