Gyro Park comes alive with BC Day Party in the Park

Smoky skies didn’t deter dozens of families from partying at the park on Monday during the Downtown Penticton Association’s annual BC Day family celebration at Gyro Park.

The jam-packed familyfriendly event, hosted by Alysha Williams of SunFM, lasted six hours and included a mix of activities, five musical acts and 40 market vendors and food trucks.

Entertainment included the Bubble Wonders bubble show, followed by blues/soul singer Shaughnessy Rose, teenage country singers Beamer Wigley and Abby Stewart, rockers Cosmic Brew, Get Bent Dance and rock/country band Gypsy & The Rose.

The young dancers completed their show with a rousing finale set to the music of “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga.

This year’s activities, which included face painting, games and arts and crafts, featured two new attractions: a climbing mountain and a rush waterslide, both of which attracted long lines and repeat visitors.

Thanks to local sponsors, noted Downtown Penticton Association executive director, Lyn Allin, who oversees the annual event, all the attractions were free of charge, a fact, she added, that the DPA is “quite proud of.”

“The event is presented by the DPA, which is comprised of local businesses, “Allin said. “It’s basically our way of saying thank you for supporting us and we hope people will continue to support local businesses.”

For more information on the DPA visit www. downtownpenticton.org.

PHOTOS BY ERIN CHRISTIE/Special to The Herald Khloe Regehr, 6, was enraptured with the Bubble Wonders bubble show at the DPA’s B.C. Day Party in the Park, Monday.

Teenage country musicians, from left, Beamer Wigley, Abby Stewart and Jack Friesen performed a set of originals and covers.

Mya Evans, 6, tests her rock climbing skills on the large climbing wall.

Rowan Gabriel, left and Kinsley Poitras, both 3, sported new looks after a visit to the face painting table.