Summerland where the action is
This weekend’s 36th annual Summerland Action Festival features live music, slo-pitch, triathlon
Summerland’s biggest weekend of the year is right around the corner. The 36th annual Summerland Action Festival begins Friday evening and the three-day event will include a dance, parade, live music, triathlon, carnival and non-stop games of slo-pitch.
“Our event is family focused, and we tweak it a little bit each year but keep the things that people really enjoy,” event chairman Pat Bell said. “We have a great lineup of entertainment coming, and the park is always full with lots and lots of people.”
In total, 74 co-ed slo-pitch teams are competing, some coming from as far away as Whistler and Vancouver.
PARADE Among the highlights is the Actionfest parade, which begins at 10 a.m. from the Summerland Arena. The parade turns on Rosedale Avenue, proceeds down Main Street, crosses at Victoria Road North and returns down Jubilee Road. It will have 35 entries and lasts about an hour.
MAIN STAGE Free live music is provided almost continuously on the main stage of Memorial Park. This year’s highlights include tributes to Paul Rodgers and Bad Company, CCR, Johnny Cash, Neil Young, Heart, The Eagles and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Other live acts include the Summerland Nakama Drum Ensemble and singer Carleen Roth, who will be accompanied by k.d. lang’s guitarist.
Memorial Park also has a large midway.
“We have Orbis Sports coming out and they have large inflatables where you can crawl inside and play soccer and bounce off your buddies,” Bell said when asked what’s new this year. “They will have four or five stations, including archery, where you aim at foam targets.”
In total, Actionfest involves about 300 community volunteers.
RUN/TRIATHLON The 36th annual Giant’s Head Run and Man of Steel Triathlon, a mainstay of the Summerland Action Festival, will be held on Saturday.
The Man of Steel Triathlon has its three disciplines scheduled at specific times throughout the day and is an ideal recreational event for children to seniors, teams and families.
The bike segment begins at 7 a.m. at Badminton Hall, looping around the spectacular landmark of Giant’s Head Mountain. The swim is scheduled between 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Summerland Aquatic Centre.
The final running leg of the triathlon joins in with the Giant’s Head Run. It is a great kickoff to the triathlon season, and many people enjoy the comfort of the pool setting, especially young triathletes just starting their careers.
The public may join in on the community fun with the Giant’s Head Run. Participants can choose the five- or 10-kilometre route. The race will begin outside the Summerland Aquatic Centre at 6 p.m. The race committee welcomes those who want to race, run, walk or stroll.
Among those competing in the media challenge this year are Summerland Review editor John Arndt and former Giant FM morning man Dennis Walker.
Official results will be available at sportstats.ca, and will also be posted at summerland.ca.
After the race, the Summerland Aquatic Centre will host a free post-race swim from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Post-race awards and prizes will be presented at 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park bandshell.
Register online for the Man of Steel Triathlon or Giant’s Head Run at runningroom.com.
For more information or to pick up an entry form, stop by the recreation office or phone 250-494-0447.
For a complete schedule of events, visit summerlandactionfestival.ca.