The entertainment lineup at this weekend’s Sunshine Festival in Oliver is not something you want to miss.
So says Parks and Recreation manager Carol Sheridan, who points out that the musical offerings will be fantastic.
For example, Amanda Thate is one of Canada’s up-and-coming country stars, who received an invitation to perform at this year’s Canadian Country Music Association awards show in Edmonton.
“I have a feeling this girl will be very big,” said Sheridan.
Thate performs on Oliver’s community stage on Saturday, July 12 at 8 pm.
Other musical acts include Great White North who will bring their alternative folk rock to the stage at 9 pm Saturday night.
Nice Verdes, an Australian duo, will offer up some “tropical” folk music at 5:30 pm on Saturday.
Local band Wined It Up will perform some cowboy rock at 7:30 pm on Friday, July 11, followed by Red Haven and their rural folk undertones of the Canadian wilderness.
Sheridan said her goal for the festival is to have people stay for the whole day, not just a couple of hours.
“It’s really a high quality lineup of entertainment. There will be music that every generation will want to listen to.”
Sheridan said Parks and Recreation could not have offered this caliber of fun without the support of the Oliver Rotary Club and Fun4Life.
The festival opens in the community park at 5 pm on Friday. Look for “Sunny the Clown” and carnival rides offered by West Coast Amusements.
Children will love the Fun4Life kids area, featuring a new animal petting farm. There will also be “bouncy boxing” and a craft tent.
Opening ceremonies begin at 5:30, followed by native singing and drumming by Kxansuluxw (Kick) Hall.
At 6 pm the third annual Lions and Kiwanis duck race will begin in Wolf Cub Creek.
Ten minutes later you won’t want to miss the Super Cooligans band and their family show.
At 7 pm you can meet Oliver’s ambassadors before listening to Wined It Up and Red Haven.
Friday’s festival will wind down with fire spinning by Angelina.
At 10 am Saturday morning, check out the Sunshine Festival parade on Main Street, and then head to the festival grounds again at 11 am for a “sun salutation” yoga experience.
This will be followed by a skilled performance by the Vernon Cadet Band.
At 12 pm, Shakewood Annie hits the stage with an interactive family dance show, complete with costumes and prizes.
From 1-4 pm, there will be children’s sack races, parachute games and a tug-o-war.
New this year is a hula hoop workshop with Angelina at 2 pm.
Cherry lovers will want to be in the park at 3 pm for the cherry pie-eating contest, another new event this year.
At 4 pm, the Oliver Dance Studio will perform, and at 6:30 pm, get your groove on with zumba in the park.
Angelina will bring the festival to a close with her fire spinning at 10:30 pm.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
