Rock the Lake to turn it down — a little

City planning to host, welcome 160 events in 2018; Apple triathlon expected to return

A toned-down music festival featuring classic Canadian bands will be held for the third time in Kelowna next summer.

Rock the Lake organizers will bring back the outdoor concert, which has featured bands such as Glass Tiger, Platinum Blonde and Honeymoon Suite.

City council also heard that the Apple Triathlon will return in 2018, after a one-year hiatus, and the Across the Lake Swim will mark its 70th anniversary next year.

The 2.1-kilometre swim across Okanagan Lake is the city’s longest-held annual event.

The Apple is one of Canada’s original triathlons and has served many times as the national championship.

Permits for 160 events in city-owned parks and facilities were issued this year, ranging from weddings to three-day music festivals like Center of Gravity.

“That’s very eventful. Nice choice of words,” said Coun. Mohini Singh.

“That is a lot of events for a city of our size,” said Coun. Maxine DeHart.

“I don't think I’ve ever received a complaint about how events are co-ordinated by the city,” said Coun. Ryan Donn. “We only ever get compliments.”

Nineteen events were said to have been affected to some degree by the springtime flooding and persistent summertime smoke from wildfires.

Many of the larger events are subject to an after-the-fact review, conducted by organizers and city officials, with a view to tweaking details for succeeding years.

After complaints about the noise of the first Rock the Lake festival in 2016, for example, the maximum decibel level was reduced from 110 decibels to 105 decibels.