The sunshine the Okanagan is famous for has at last arrived and there is no better time to get outdoors and enjoy the fabulous scenery that nature provides us.
The valley has all sorts of outdoor events to look forward to throughout the summer, matching all different tastes and genres. For those with a palate for theatre and music, take a look at this lineup of favourite summer events on offer in July.
Known for witty and quirky productions on their picturesque acres, Caravan Farm Theatre is one of the most unique theatres in the province.
It seems poetic that this year’s summer production is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
One of the Bard’s most popular plays, Midsummer Night’s Dream is best presented in the very setting in which it was written: outdoors, in the woods, in the summer.
From July 19 to Aug. 21, this famous fable will be told Caravan style with music and horses.
To book your tickets, call the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) or visit www.ticketseller.ca for information.
The 25th annual Midsummer’s Eve of the Arts is set to take place at Cenotaph Park July 20.
It’s an evening of art, fabulous food and refreshments in the heart of downtown Vernon.
This fundraiser for the Vernon Public Art Gallery starts at 6:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased from the gallery by calling 250-545-3173.
Rarearth Music Festival, now in its fourth year, is coming up July 23 and 24 for another two full days of non-stop music.
This year’s event takes place in the fresh mountain-top air of Silver Star Mountain Resort. You’ll hear everything from Juno and Grammy award winning artists to the young up-and-coming musicians from the Our Kids Have Talent competition earlier this year.
Weekend or day passes can be picked up at the Ticket Seller by calling 549-SHOW (7469) or online at www.ticketseller.ca.
The 10th annual Komasket Music Festival starts up July 29 for a weekend of performances on four different stages including a very family-friendly KidZone stage.
Beautiful Komasket Park will be the site for all the music, swimming, camping, dancing, culture and art. Weekend passes can be purchased from the Ticket Seller at 549-SHOW (7469) and you can visit www.komasketmusicfestival.com for directions and more information.
And the Downtown Vernon Association’s Civic Sounds is happening every Thursday night through Aug. 25.
This Thursday’s concert features Cod Gone Wild from 7 to 9 p.m. on the grounds of the Civic Centre between the museum and the library. Grab a lawn chair and head down on Thursday nights for these free concerts.
So get out there and experience all that the valley has to offer this summer. Enjoy the shows!
–– Brian van Wensem is the audience development coordinator at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.
