Peachfest features impressive lineup in August

It’s all systems go with just one month remaining before the start of the Penticton Peach Festival, say organizers.

Peachfest takes place from Aug. 8 to Aug. 12 and features headliners like Kim Mitchell, George Canyon and April Wine while also hosting five days of free family fun including a kids’ zone, street hockey tournament, sand castle competition, parade and more.

“We have a great line up of free entertainment with the likes of Kim Mitchell and the Heroes of Rock, the Country Divas, Madeline Merlo and Lion Bear and the Fox, to name just a few highlights,” said Peachfest president Don Kendall.

“Nowhere else offers free, quality entertainment like this.”

All eyes will be on the skies when the Skyhawk Parachute Team return this year, this time with two drops taking place, both times with the troupes landing in Okanagan Lake Park.

“It was their first time at Peachfest last year and it was a huge crowd favourite, so we are thrilled to have them back doing two drops this time,” said Kendall. Skyhawks are a Canadian Forces parachute demonstration team based out of Ontario.

Last year, more than 80,000 people took in the festivities. Kendall is expecting similar, if not bigger crowds.

The Peachfest parade has always been a highlight and this year will meet expectations, he said.

“We have more than 100 entries into the parade coming from B.C., Alberta, Washington and Oregon,” he said.

Prior to the parade, the Vancouver Police motorcycle drill team will wow the crowds.

Olympic gold medalist Justin Kripps, who grew up in Summerland, will be the parade marshal on Aug. 11 and take part in the opening ceremonies and hold an autograph session Aug. 8 in Okanagan Lake Park.

Kripps said he has fond memories of Peachfest growing up and often came back just for the festivities.

Kripps took gold at the PyeongChang Games and is back training for the 2022 Olympics.

“The newest event this year is the JCI Ball Hockey Tournament at Skaha Lake,” noted Kendall.

The tournament is for all ages and will take place over two days, Aug. 10-11. Registration ends on July 15.

For more details, go online to peachfest.com and check The Herald in the weeks ahead for previews of some of the acts you can expect to see.