PENTICTON, BC – Thousands of Boonstock festival-goers are rolling into Penticton.
It’s the music festival’s 10th Anniversary, but the first time it’s being held in the Okanagan since it moved from Gibbons, Alberta.
“It’s going to be great. It’s better than Gibbons,” says attendee Chris Barton.
Thursday night was the pre-party and people are raving.
“The music’s sick, everybody’s here for the music,” says festival-goer, Coltren Starblanket.
The long-weekend party is hosted on Penticton Indian Band land.
Those who are camping on the site say it’s like a dust bowl.
“It’s so dusty, so we have to wear bandanas all the time,” says a camper.
Besides the campground and main stage areas on Old Airport Road, there’s a party happening on Skaha Lake beach.
The beach was packed Friday morning, and many say they’re having fun.
But some people who are sporting a Mile High VIP pass feel like they’re getting the short end of the stick.
They say they only purchased the $400 ticket for the perk of skipping beer garden lineups.
Since Boonstock organizers were denied a liquor license, there are no booze sales in the concert areas.
“We don’t get anything,” says Coltren Starblanket, a VIP pass holder. “There’s no benefits, it’s very disappointing.”
He says organizers are not allowing reimbursements either.
But despite his upset, he is still raving about last night’s pre-party.
“The music’s sick. We’re here for the music either way,” says Starblanket.
But booze or not, many say it’s all about the music.
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