The Osoyoos Street Dance returns for its 36th year of “puttin’ on the boogie” in Osoyoos.
The “street” may be only in name, but that hasn’t dented the popularity of this annual event which has for several years been held at Gyro Park after a few years in the parking lot at the Seniors Centre.
Started 36 years ago by Osoyoos Home Hardware owners Frances and Larry Sogoluk, the pair ran the street dance outside the store for nearly 26 years before handing the baton over to the Osoyoos Seniors’ Centre.
Eventually, they too grew weary organizing the event and that’s when Clint and Brigitte Hawes took over and have been doing it ever since – about 11 years.
The couple do all the organizing and picks up all the costs of putting it on, over and above what is covered through donations. “Osoyoos has been really good to my wife and I and our family, so we do it to say thanks,”
Hawes says of the over 20 years they’ve been living here. “We just offer our time and have fun, it’s our payback.”
The music and the format have evolved over the years with the event – originally focused on kids – now expanded to cater to everyone from children to seniors. “we had an idea, and so we incorporated the adults with the kids, getting both to do things together and against one another,” he adds with a laugh.
“I worked out really well and we get a lot of adults as well,” he said.
He relates that quite a lot of people from out of town plan their vacations to Osoyoos to coincide with the event, which is held twice – July 20 and August 17 this year.
Organizer Clint Hawes dances with a group of children on stage. Richard McGuire photo.
The event features various dance contests which come with prizes for the winners and these are donated by the local community.
“The merchants in this town are fabulous, absolutely fabulous,” he said. While he gets some cash donations most are merchandise and gift certificates which go to the prizes.
While the Hawes used to do much of the music tasks, including roping their son in on at least one occasion, they now hire a DJ out of Penticton who brings his own sound equipment, thereby lightening the load for the couple.
As for the future of the event, fear not, Clint says he and his wife have no plans of letting it slip through the cracks.
“We realized just how great this thing is and we hope that it continues to go and we can’t let it stop, we’ve got to keep it going!”
Those wishing to donate can contact Clint Hawes directly at 250-495-5351. The Osoyoos Street Dance 2024 is on Saturday, July 20 and Saturday August 17, from 7-10 p.m. at Gyro Park.
