KELOWNA – Island Stage at Waterfront Park was rocking out Friday night as Canadian band The Trews helped kick off Keloha, a three day music and arts festival in Kelowna
“Overall there is so much to do here,” explains festival creator Scott Emslie, “There is the art component. There are two stages for Saturday and Sunday. There’s a bunch of interactive attractions. We have a village where there are different retail shops.”
In its second year, Keloha is organized by the same company that puts on the annual Center of Gravity beach sports fest which is also in Kelowna. But with Keloha, Emslie says they wanted to go with an event that had a different feel to it.
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“A lot of our staff are very passionate about the bands, the indie music, the alternative music, so we thought Kelowna was a big enough attraction to bring people in for a second festival.”
The crowds prove organizers have the right idea with more than 15,000 attendees expected over the three day event.
“It’s nice because it’s a smaller festival so you can kind of get more intimate with the artists especially with the after parties. You are seeing them in a lot smaller venue so it’s nice to kind of connect with them that way.” says one Keloha enthusiast.
But it’s not just the attendees who think Keloha is good for Kelowna.
Connor Tkach, band member of Kelowna’s Fields of Green says it’s exactly what the city needs, “A festival like this is really cool it brings a different atmosphere, a more of a youthful attention to Kelowna and for maybe future generations to get involved.
Artist Nick Gibson agrees, “This is so awesome; sand in my toes. I just had a dip in the lake and I come here and my masterpiece is right here…it’s wonderful. The open air, the beautiful people, the music…yah, it’s a good time.”
The three day, all ages fest has the usual food and beverage vendors along with their showcase of emerging and well known indie, alternative and rock bands, art exhibits and installations.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the gate.
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