By Times Chronicle Staff
The countdown is on for the annual Roots and Fruits Expo which takes place this Sunday, June 23 nearly two months earlier in the summer than usual to maximize participation from the local community.
Roots and Fruits is a free, all-ages celebration of the community, the people, land and history.
The family-friendly event featuring both activities and entertainment kicks off at the Oliver Community Park & Hall at 11 a.m. with displays, exhibits, food trucks and merchandise vendors as well as main stage entertainment.
Bring a picnic blanket or chairs and plan on staying for the evening as entertainment food and drink will continue to 9:30 p.m.
The official Welcome & Opening Ceremonies will take place on the main stage just after the gates open, including Okanagan singing and drumming performances from Senpaq’cin students, messages from local dignitaries and an introduction from the Oliver Ambassadors & Candidates.
“This year we have invited what I am calling “hyper-local” entertainment to the stage”, says event organizer and Director of Recreation at the Town of Oliver, Carol Sheridan. “Every single performer is either living in the Oliver area or is closely connected to the community.”
Following the opening ceremonies, the main stage will feature performances from spring semester students of Toonmade Lessons, Oliver’s premier music school, singing and playing songs they have been working on since April.
At 1 p.m. students and teachers Trenton Manossa-Gabriel and Levi Bent from Senpaq’cin School who will be sharing Okanagan teachings and culture at an all-ages interactive drum and dance workshop in the Community Hall.
Back on the main stage around 2 p.m. will be Bianca Berkland, an exceptionally gifted, modern Jazz/Blues multi-instrumentalist and songwriter who has been performing pop, rock and jazz cover songs along with her own original material in the Okanagan for the past four years.
To keep the kids busy there will be inflatables, a giant sand box, a Lego tent, craft stations, paint-by-numbers mural, henna and glitter tattoos, interactive displays including an opportunity to visit with goats!
An artisan market featuring local artists and vendors and information booths from FireSmart, Oliver & District Heritage Society and the Town of Oliver will also be onsite.
The Community Hall will feature quiet spots to sit and cool off as well as interactive displays such as the Spinners & Weavers and the Exhibit Hall prize entries.
And not forgetting food, local food trucks will be on site serving up a variety of tasty treats, including Vagabond, Pit Stop Smokery, Sizzling Spice, Thai on the Fly and Our Little Donut Factory.
Fillosophy Refill Bar will be offering drinks from their Teahouse & Boba menu and cold beverage sales featuring local brews, wines and spritzers will be available from the Expo Bar from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Back by popular demand is the Pie Eating Contest sponsored by the Rotary Club of Oliver. This year M&J Country Kitchen is baking cherry pies for the annual contest taking place in the park at 2:30 p.m.
Kicking off the late mainstage entertainment is Rebel Luv playing Classic Rock, 60s, 70s, 80s Pop and new and Old Country.
Organizers are excited to introduce The Mudrats, a youthful yet accomplished Oliver band, to the festival’s evening line up.
Next up will be Johnny Carwash & The Desert Dawgz, who play Rock & Roll covers “to get your toes tappin’ and your hips shakin’”.
Closing out the entertainment will be The Racket, an extraordinary ensemble of five local dads who have swapped lullabies for the infectious rhythms of Ska and occasionally venturing into the realm of rock.
As the sun sets on the solstice Expo weekend, event goers can keep dancing and enjoy a “glow show” to end the night.
The event is presented by the Kiwanis Club of Oliver, Oliver Parks and Recreation and generous event sponsors.
A full listing of entertainment – including the Rock and Roll Picnic on June 20 and community events on June 21/22 – along with bios and photos of the performers is available on the event website oliverrootsandfruits.com.
