Westside Daze offers a jam-packed lineup

Westside Daze volunteers are ready and excited as the annual event kicks off Friday offering a fun-Àlled Canada Day weekend.

The three-day free family festival, which has been a Westside tradition for 45 years, typically draws up to 35,000 people.

Most of the action takes place at Memorial Park beside the Johnson-Bentley pool, with entertainment, food trucks and vendors.

Parking will once again be available on the Àeld by the A & W on Carrington Road.

To keep the event accessible, those who think they might need assistance getting down to the field can park at the Johnson-Bentley pool and volunteers will drive them down to the park in a golf cart.

Along with a team of dedicated volunteers and government support, Westside Daze would not be possible without the local businesses who contribute from $250 to $10,000 in money and in-kind donations to make it happen.

“We can’t emphasize this more than enough,” said Leah Thordarson, president of the Westside Celebration Society, the volunteer organization that runs Westside Daze.

The fun begins Friday with the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. at the Annette Beaudreau Amphitheatre in Memorial Park.

Leif David, a local magician who amazes and amuses crowds with his family friendly show, starts the free entertainment at 7:15 p.m., followed by the Forever Country tribute with the Kinshira Fire Troupe’s breath-taking performance at 10 p.m. rounding out the night.

The Westside Daze Parade starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday and will include the Westside’s own marching band this year. The West Side Music marching band is made up of music students from Glenrosa Middle, Const. Neil Bruce Middle and Mount Boucherie Secondary schools.

Have fun getting soaked at the Okanagan’s largest water Àght between residents, parade participants and spectators in the Ànal block of the parade on Brown Road between Butt and Bering Roads.

Remember to bring a donation for the Central Okanagan Food Bank as volunteers will be walking along the parade route collecting non-perishable food donations. Donation bins will be set up at the park as well.

There will be plenty of free activities for families to enjoy at Memorial Park Saturday with the Kids’ Fair and Okanagan Day taking place from noon to 4 p.m.

Saturday night’s concert at Memorial Park at 7 p.m. offers duelling pianos and the Uptown 10 featuring Julie Massi, six-time Juno-award winner.

Fireworks fans have two reasons to rejoice. Mission Hill Winery has donated $10,000 for this Saturday night’s display, which will mean a spectacular show with greater height, more Áare and more boom.

Getting in and out of Gellatly Bay to watch the Àreworks will also be easier this year, with the new seasonal 31 Gellatly bus route offering service Saturday night connecting the Westbank Centre Exchange, Gellatly Bay Waterfront, West Kelowna Yacht Club, Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park and Pebble Beach. The last trip leaves Westbank Centre Exchange at midnight, leaving people plenty of time to enjoy the Àreworks.

Check out the classic and antique cars, trucks and motorcycles Sunday at the Canada Day Show ‘n’ Shine from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Canada Day ceremonies start Sunday at 2:45 p.m., followed by the cutting of the giant Canada Day cake.

The Westside Daze draw returns with three great prizes: a J.K. Schmidt ladies’ diamond ring; a men’s watch from J.K. Schmidt Jewelry and a one-night stay at Chez Nicole Bed and Breakfast in West Kelowna. Tickets cost $2 each.

New this year will be 50/50 draws each night at the concerts.

For a complete schedule, go online to westsidedaze.com.