An outreach concert at Penticton's Princess Margaret Secondary officially kicked off the 26th annual Pentastic Hot Jazz and Music Festival on Friday, Sept. 6.

Cornet Chop Suey, a jazz band from St. Louis, Missouri that formed in 1996, was at the high school to introduce some of their greatest hits to today's youth.

The show ran from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m. and was in support of raising funds for the school's band program. Around $1,000 is typically raised at the event every year through donations from the public.

"We want to encourage students to get into music, in our own little way," said Michael Campbell, president of the jazz festival. "It's a great thing and something that's been happening for many years."

Students, as well as dozens of visitors from outside the school, were in attendance for the show.

Named after an old Louis Armstrong tune, the band has played hundreds of shows from across the globe, including during past editions of Penticton's annual jazz festival. This year's event runs from Sept. 6 to 8.

Although Friday's concert marked the first scheduled event of the weekend, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre hosts an opening ceremony for the festival in the evening.

A full schedule for the weekend can be found