In early March 2022, when Ignite the Arts was nothing more than an ambitious idea, Paul Crawford said Penticton could one day be the 香蕉视频直播渃ultural capital of B.C.香蕉视频直播�

Two years later, the longtime Penticton Art Gallery curator says the South Okanagan community is way ahead of schedule when it comes to making that dream a reality.

That香蕉视频直播檚 due in part to the 香蕉视频直播渞emarkable香蕉视频直播� third annual Ignite the Arts Festival, which drew record crowds across the city香蕉视频直播檚 downtown core from March 29-31.

香蕉视频直播淚t was a wonderful celebration of culture,香蕉视频直播� Crawford said, adding around 1,700 attended the festival on each day, from Friday to Sunday.

The weekend featured more than 100 acts across 10 different venues.

That香蕉视频直播檚 up from the 70 performers who appeared at the event in 2023, with acts taking their respective stage after the well-attended 香蕉视频直播淧arade For No Reason香蕉视频直播� on Friday evening, March 29.

香蕉视频直播淭he parade is a symbol of pride and joy, as well as a vehicle for inclusion and self-expression,香蕉视频直播� Crawford said. 香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 about kicking off the weekend and coming together as a community.香蕉视频直播�

Crawford praised the hundreds of artists and thousands of the festival香蕉视频直播檚 attendees for bringing 香蕉视频直播渧ibrancy香蕉视频直播� to Penticton during its shoulder season.

There was something for everyone, he said, and even things some people may never see again.

香蕉视频直播淓very stage was pretty much full with unique performers from across the province,香蕉视频直播� said the gallery香蕉视频直播檚 curator, who also helped organize a similar festival in the B.C. community of Wells in the early 2000s.

At any given hour during this year香蕉视频直播檚 Ignite the Arts Festival, attendees had no shortage of options for things to do and performances to see.

From folk metal bands to 香蕉视频直播淔unkin香蕉视频直播� Rockin香蕉视频直播� Jazz香蕉视频直播� and songwriting sessions for children, entertainment was always at the forefront from 11 a.m. to midnight every day.

Crawford says he wasn香蕉视频直播檛 surprised to see so many artists eager to be part of the Penticton-based festival.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 amazing to create something that people want to be a part of,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淭o me, that香蕉视频直播檚 the hallmark of a successful event.香蕉视频直播�

The festival has also proved to be an economic boom for Penticton over the last few years.

With a spike in hotel bookings and record number of accommodations provided to travelling artists, Crawford says he looks forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks on the festival香蕉视频直播檚 economic benefit to the community, once final numbers are tallied.

香蕉视频直播淭his year, I really felt things came together,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚 think a greater portion of the community is starting to understand what we香蕉视频直播檙e doing and I hope that it only grows from here.香蕉视频直播�