Get out your love beads, rose-tinted glasses and bell bottoms for Gatzke Orchards’ ode to ‘60s culture and music at its second annual Woodstock Revival festival July 5 to 7.
Gatzke Orchards is a third generation family-owned and operated farm, steeped in agricultural history since 1929.
“There could not be a better setting for this event,” said Joe Pinheiro of Go Events, who is producing the festival with Alan Gatzke, Gatzke Orchards and blues musician Jason Buie. “The festival offers on-site camping, food and drink (breakfast, lunch and dinner), beer gardens, an arts and crafts fair, vendors, prizes for the best-dressed hippies, non-stop entertainment and the best in live music.
“This is an all ages event; it is safe and fun for the whole family.”
Gates open at 4 p.m. Friday, July 5 and visitors are encouraged to arrive early, set up camp and start enjoying the festival.
A drum circle will start the festivities from 6 to 9 p.m. followed by a DJ and dance.
A Saturday morning pancake breakfast will be followed by a full day of live music.
“This year’s event features some of the finest talent from the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland,” said Pinheiro.
Acts include Kathy Frank, who will be doing a Janis Joplin Tribute, while Buie will pay tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
Also appearing is blues diva Ellie Johnson, Floyd Vedan, Linda-Sue Wilson, David “Boxcar” Gates, Dan Engelland and special guests.
On Sunday, everyone is encouraged to register for the all-ages talent show, which will run from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. the festival will start its Battle of the Bands, where four Okanagan area acts will compete for a spot at next year’s festival.
“Each band will play their best rendition of three songs from the original Woodstock festival,” said Pinheiro.
At 4 p.m., Sabrina Weeks and Swing Cat Bounce closes the festival.
Tickets are $40 for a three-day pass and $25 for a day pass, available at Gatzke Orchards located on Highway 97 in Oyama, between Vernon and Kelowna. More information is available at www.gatzkefarmmarkets.com.
