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South Okanagan Photos

Great weather brings on record crowd for FOG

Photo credit ODN
Photo credit ODN

Oliver’s Festival Of Grape Attracts Record Crowd Eighteen years ago, 300 people attended the very first Festival of the Grape (FOG). In recent years that number has climbed to 3500 visitors. This year, FOG swelled to more than 4,000. “2014 is our breakout year,” claims Bonnie Dancey, CEO of the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce that organizes FOG. “People are very impressed with what we have to offer above and beyond the great wine tasting opportunities from our fabulous Okanagan wineries.” eat “They have heard about our grape stomping competition, our greatly expanded kids play area, the entertaining music from bands like this year’s Juno award winning Paperboys, as well as a broad selection of food and trade vendors and an indoor art show. “The feedback we’ve received about our family entertainment package has been very positive,” says Ed Dukes, FOG’s Entertainment Chair. “As expected, The Paperboys energetic stage performance had the audience engaged and dancing barefoot in the park.” “Our grape stompers put on quite a show as well. The winning team was the Walnut Beach Nut Crushers (Osoyoos) who produced a total of 38 pounds of grape juice. Second place was a tie between Uncorked Cellar Dwellers (Okanagan Falls) and Fermented Friends (Surrey) who both topped out at 30 pounds. There was also a two-way tie for third spot with PeteThe Heat (Trail) and Sticky Feet (Calgary) who stomped 25 pounds of juice.” Dancey was quick to point out that the event is growing in popularity partly as a result of local support from organizations like Eastlink that sponsor both the Festival of the Grape and the Grape Stomp. Others sponsors include Interior Savings that support the Chateau de Kids play area as well as Super Valu and the Walnut Beach Resort. Held annually at the Oliver Recreation Centre (adjacent to the Oliver Arena/Curling Club) the Festival of the Grape celebrates the grape harvest in the Okanagan valley. FOG thanks Eastlink for being a sponsor of both the Festival of the Grape and the Grape Stomp. We are also pleased to have Interior Savings sponsor the Chateau de Kids. Other Festival of the Grape sponsors include Super Valu and Walnut Beach Resort. Release from South Okanagan Chamber Of Commerce. Photo by Paul Eby