By Times Chronicle Staff
Oliver’s much anticipated Wine Capital Weekend 2024 is only days a way and advance tickets are still available with organizers promising this year’s festival will be the biggest and best yet.
The three-day event is Oliver’s biggest weekend of the year, offering an immersive experience celebrating amazing wines, craft beverages, live performances, local artistry and more.
The event has over 70 vendors this year offering everything from local wine, craft beer, cider and spirits alongside thrilling team challenge events, and heaps of family-friendly activities.
The annual festival features a vibrant artisan merchant marketplace, interactive Kids Zone, and the three-day Fall Art Show and Sale.
Teams compete in the final round of the grape stomp at Festival of the Grape. File photo
The weekend gets off to a spectacular start with the 3rd Annual Kick-Off Party at District Wine Village on Friday, Sept. 20. 5-10 p.m. with an evening of music, food, and drinks.
Enjoy live performances headlined by the legendary Aaron Pritchett, with opening acts from Great White North and the Kristi Neumann Band. Savour local wine and beer tastings while indulging in gourmet dishes from Ward’s Country Kitchen.
The 8th Annual Cask & Keg Festival kicks off Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-7 p.m. with a celebration of all things craft beer, cider, and spirits. Form a team of four and compete in the thrilling Beer Olympics. Twenty teams comprised of four members each will be competing in the Beer Olympics’ four relay events with the top team taking home a fully-stocked beer fridge.
Enjoy tastings from 20 regional breweries, cideries, and distilleries while delighting in a variety of food truck offerings and live music.
Festival of the Grape. File photo
The 25th Annual Festival of the Grape takes over on Sunday, Sept 22, from 12-5 p.m. with the South Okanagan’s premier wine tasting event. Sample wines from over 50 local wineries, dance to live music, and witness the iconic Grape Stomp Competition presented by the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association (OOWA).
The annual Grape Stomp will see 32 teams of three members each competing for bragging rights and prizes.
Shuttle buses are available between Penticton and Oliver via the Grape Savvy Trolley Co. and between Osoyoos and Oliver by South Okangan Tours from Friday through Sunday.
Schedule at a glance:
- Friday, Sept. 20. 5-10 p.m. – 3rd Annual Kick-Off Party at District Wine Village
- Saturday, Sept. 21, 2-7 p.m. – 8th Annual Cask & Keg Festival
- Sunday, Sept 22, from 12-5 p.m. – 25th Annual Festival of the Grape
For more information or to purchase tickets – single event, weekend pass and VIP tickets available – you can go to VisitOliver.com or at the Oliver Visitor Centre. The Cask and Keg Festival and Festival of the grape will take place at the Oliver Community Park at 6359 Park Drive in Oliver.
Oliver’s Cask & Keg at the Oliver Community Park. File photo
