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The planning started the day after the last Sunshine Festival, but now, with just one month to go until one of the Okanagan’s Largest Outdoor Sidewalk Sales, the DVA office is a flurry of activity in preparation for the 17th Annual Sunshine Festival. Downtown Vernon truly comes alive with block after block of outstanding bargains, entertainment, children’s activities, outside street cafes, art and cultural performances and so much more!
“We are excited to bring some of the favourites back while also adding some new activities” says Holly Schmidt, Events & Marketing Coordinator for the Downtown Vernon Association. The event will feature the many vendors for the sidewalk sale including many downtown businesses that come out on the street for the day event. There will also be 3 entertainment stages once again this year including the Main Stage, Arts & Entertainment Stage and the Wentworth Music Education Centre stage. The children’s activities will have the kids entertained for the entire day and will include Bouncy Houses, Face Painting, Inflatable Obstacle Course, Pony Rides & Climbing wall among others. “We are also excited to be working with the Volunteer Bureau to have a Dunk Tank, which are always a lot of fun, as part of the event this year” says Schmidt.
While the planning is fully underway, the DVA is still looking for volunteers to help out on the day of the event. “There are a number of different opportunities available including early morning shifts, day-time shifts and evening shifts” says Schmidt, adding “volunteers always have a ton of fun and really get to feel the community excitement through their volunteer commitment.”
The DVA is also always interested in hearing from various entertainment groups interested in performing at the Sunshine Festival. “We provide various groups such as school choirs, martial arts groups, dance groups, children’s entertainers, magicians, and others the opportunity to perform on the Arts & Entertainment stage. It’s a great way for groups to get some exposure at a very busy event” says Schmidt. If anyone is interested in having their group perform at the Sunshine Festival or being a volunteer they can contact Holly at the DVA office (250.542.5851).
The DVA would like to remind everyone that 30th Avenue from 29th Street to Coldstream Avenue will be closed on Saturday June 18th between 5:00am and 8:00pm. They are excited to announce that there will be FREE parking on all open streets & city parking lots (time limits apply) and FREE public transit (within City of Vernon limits).
Picture Caption: The 17th Annual Sunshine Festival will be taking place on Saturday June 18th 2011.
Prepared by Downtown Vernon Association, Suite 4 – 3101 – 29th Street, Vernon, BC, V1T 5AB, Phone-542.5851