Crowds gather at the Oliver Community Centre to watch the Grape Stomp during the 17th annual Festival of the Grape on October 6. The event attracted more than 3,000 people and was held in conjunction with the Oliver Arts Council’s annual Fall Art Show and Sale.
Erin Christie photo
Oliver was definitely in a party mood on Sunday. With an estimated turn out of more than 3,000 people, organizers of this year’s Festival of the Grape say this may have been their most successful year yet.
The one-day event, which was held at the Oliver Community Centre, showcased nearly 50 Okanagan-Similkameen wineries, but South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce President Holly Plante said you don’t have to be a wine drinker to enjoy the event.
The festival also included 2 musical acts, 20 restaurants and food merchants and 42 craft vendors, as well as kids activities and the Grape Stomp.
Plante attributes the addition of new features like the petting zoo, and the support from the community sponsors and volunteers, to the success and longevity of the featival.
Lorie Sale, of Salmon Arm stomps her heart out during the Grape Stomp. Sale was in Oliver for a family reunion and convinced her bothers and sisters to get a team together and sign up for the event. The Grape Stomp attracted 12 teams from British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Erin Christie photo
“Everyone-the wineries, our sponsors, our vendors and our volunteers really stepped up this year, and it shows. We got great feedback,” said Plante.
Joan Thompson travelled to Oliver from Vancouver for the first time for the festival. She credits its appeal to the casual, outdoor atmosphere.
“It’s such a laid back event, it represents the Okanagan well. I will definitely come back next year,” she said.
Thompson was introduced to the festival by her friend, who attended the festival several years ago.
Although her friend resides in Red Dear, Alberta, Thompson said she suggested coming to the festival for their annual ‘girl’s getaway’. The pair convinced ten of their friends to enter the Grape Stomp.
Linda Blaschek and Bruce Fuller, of Rustico Winery have attended the festival for several years, but Blaschek said this is the first time they have come as vendors. She said it won’t be the last.
“They’ve really done a great job. They have something to please everyone,” Blaschek added.
The festival also included the Oliver Arts Council’s 30th annual Fall Arts Show and Sale, which has been running in conjunction with the event since 2006. Arts Council director Penelope Johnson said joining forces with the SOCC has been beneficial to the show, which already
brings in large crowds on its own.
Council director Penelope Johnson said the shared venue has helped grow their relationship with the Chamber.
The show attracted a record 124 entries from professional, hobby and emerging artists who competed in eight categories. Best in Show was awarded to photographer Merle Somerville.
For more photos and video coverage of the Festival visit our Facebook page
Erin Christie
Oliver Chronicle
