Mixed feelings as Penticton says goodbye to Boonstock

PENTICTON – It was short-lived but it made a big impact in good ways and bad.  The music festival Boonstock will not be returning to Penticton this year and while many say the festival gave the city a big economic boost, it was also plagued with problems.

The festival was held on the August last weekend last year and drew about 8,000 attendees.

“We had one of the strongest tourism summers in quite a few years, and I will attribute some of that at least to Boonstock,” says Penticton city councilor Helena Konanz.

The festival itself was plagued with controversy, however. The liquor control and licensing branch denied Boonstock’s liquor license just days before the event citing safety concerns and the lack of security resources. Despite no liquor license, the show went on but it wasn’t problem free.  According to RCMP, there were 150 police files started during the festival, 38 people jailed and one drug overdose death. Now Global News has learned of possible financial problems as well.

“I am sure it was an expensive event and something they could not do again,” says Konanz.

Boonstock was held on Penticton Indian band land, on property owned by Pierre Kruger and his family.

“I think it’s a sad day for both communities,” says Kruger. “People don’t really understand the potential economic impact that Boonstock could bring to both sides of the river.”

While disappointed to see the festival pull the plug, Kruger admits the promoters still owe his family around $18,000.

Boonstock’s financial troubles don’t end there. On Friday afternoon, the provincial government confirmed the promoters of the music festival still owe $177,000 to cover policing costs  Since issuing its invoice last September, the province has remained in contact with Boonstock’s promoter, which had proposed making payments over three years. So far, the government has not received any payment.

Global News tried to contact Boonstock promoters but our calls were not returned.