Free family fun festival
Westside Daze, a free family fun festival that has been part of the community for over 45 years, runs from June 29 to July 1
People can come down with their families, meet their friends and neighbours and relax and catch up while enjoying the free entertainment.
The festival is fuelled by the community, organized by the volunteers at the Westside Celebration Society and supported by community volunteers, donations from local businesses and government grants.
The volunteers are committed to keeping the activities free and making the festival accessible to everyone, setting up, taking down, shuttling people with reduced mobility, cleaning tables and picking up garbage.
“Personally, I believe it’s a community building event,” said Leah Thordarson, president of the Westside Celebration Society, noting it brings together West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation and the Regional District.
It's the one event that politicians and community can come together, work together and love the area we live in,” she said.
Most of the Westside Daze action takes place at Memorial Park beside the Johnson-Bentley pool, although the Westbank Legion will be hosting an open house with a barbecue and beverage garden from noon to 8 p.m. June 30 at #4, 2525 Dobbin Rd.
People can park on the field beside the A & W on Carrington Court
The opening ceremony with the Okanagan Town Crier and local elected officials kicking things off starts at 7 p.m. Friday, June 29, followed by free performances from local magician Leif David, the Forever Country tribute and the Kinshira Performance Troupe.
New to the parade on Saturday, June 30 will be the West Side Music marching band, made up of music students from three Westside schools.
Saturday night’s Westside Daze fireworks display will be more spectacular this year thanks to a $10,000 grant from Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
“It will still be 12 minutes, but it will be more boom, boom, boom,” said Thordarson.
The fireworks will be set off from a barge in Gellatly Bay near the West Kelowna Yacht Club t starting around 10:15 p.m.
Westside Daze is the first opportunity for the public to see the newly-elected West Kelowna Youth Ambassador team in action.
Watch for ambassadors Joy Romanchuk and Ryan Scott, along with first vice-ambassador Trinity Tracy and second vice-ambassador Brooklyn Schell in the parade, helping out at the Kids’ Fair and handing out slices of Canada Day cake.
Miss Westside Dazey will also be around throughout the festival sharing high fives and hugs.
Valhalla Helicopters will be back in the field by the A & W offering people the chance to see our community from the sky on a helicopter tour for a fee.
The Central Okanagan Dog Agility Club will be doing demonstrations at the Kids’ Fair Saturday from 1 to 2 p.m
Share a high five with mascot Miss Westside Dazey or browse through the through the vendors and crafter booths and stop for