– Christine Petkau is Executive Director at the Summerland Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at cpetkau@summerlandchamber.com.
SUMMERLAND – In the Okanagan region tourism is a dynamic force in our local economies. Here in Summerland the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association estimates that tourism contributes as much as $50,000,000 to our local economy each year.
Increasingly we also understand that tourism isn’t just fun for fun’s sake, but instead it’s a tremendous leverage for resident attraction and investment. People visit communities and enjoy the amenities, then decide to relocate, bring their families, buy homes and start businesses.
A great way to introduce people to our community is through festivals and events. And through those events, visitors are seeking authenticity and an experience. This September there are three new events in Summerland that deliver on all fronts and will make a wonderful introduction to our community.
The first of these events is the new Marginal Arts Festival, September 1 – 4, created by the Ryga Festival Society. The festival honors the work of Canadian playwright and author, George Ryga, who lived in Summerland from 1963 until his death in 1987.
The weekend will include professional workshops, readings, concerts, a variety show, and performances in many art forms. A homecoming concert will be performed by 3-time Juno Award winner, Campbell Ryga and his band.
That same weekend there is a new wine event being held that will celebrate our wineries and cider companies as well as the history of the Kettle Valley Steam Railway (KVR). The Grand Sommelier Express is being hosted by the Bottleneck Drive Association and will feature a reception, a ride on the historic KVR with an all on-board wine tasting and a three course wine-makers’ dinner served at the railway station and accompanied by live music.
More feasting will be available the following weekend at the inaugural Summerland Feast of Farms. The feast will be presented under the stars, complete with musical entertainment, at Dickinson Family Farm, Summerland, BC. Locally produced wine, cheese, and bread sampling will be followed by a seated, family-style, ‘long table’ chef prepared, meal for 100 guests. This event is a fundraiser for the expansion of a Summerland community garden and the purchase of gardening tools for shared use.
We’re looking forward to all of these new events and expect them to be a wonderful introduction to our beautiful community. For information about these events and many more in Summerland, please visit: www.summerlandchamber.com/events/calendar.