Local flavour is this year’s Funtastic game changer.
Okanagan Spring Brewery is the new official beer sponsor of the Funtastic Summer Festival.
The Funtastic Sports Society, who put on North America’s largest slo-pitch tournament, entered the three-year deal for the first time with the homegrown brewery.
“This has been in consideration for a long time,” said Jim McEwan, Funtastic executive director.
“Over the years, our mutual fans have been outspoken in their support for an alliance between Okanagan Spring and Funtastic, and their passion for our brands makes this a natural fit.”
Funtastic and Okanagan Spring Brewery have more in common than their local roots.
On Aug. 15, 1985, the Funtastic Sports Society hosted its first Funtastic slo-pitch tournament, and later that same year on Dec. 31, the first Okanagan Spring premium lager was poured.
“The Funtastic Summer Festival is an important part of what makes our community special. Funtastic has been a major contributor to the community over the years,” said Stefan Tobler, Okanagan Spring brewmaster.
“We at Okanagan Spring believe in supporting local efforts and see this as the beginning of a great partnership.”
The brewery’s sponsorship covers all of the Funtastic festivals including Vernon, Armstrong and Enderby.
All locations will be serving up 1516, one of the brewery’s most popular brands.
Okanagan Spring will also implement a variety of programs and initiatives throughout the city in support of the new alliance. The sponsorship includes naming rights, consumer and retail promotions, signage, marketing, and hospitality benefits.
“Sport and bringing the community together have always been part of the culture at Funtastic,” said Funtastic president Brett Kirkpatrick.
“The opportunity to work with such a like-minded, dynamic and local partner really was the perfect fit for us.”
