After nearly a century, the annual Penticton Kiwanis Music Festival is as youthful as the day it began.
The 92nd event, which incorporates disciplines of voice, dance, instruments and speech, began last Friday and is all about the kids.
“It’s wonderful for all the kids to be able to participate it gives them confidence and encourages them to be able to try all the new things,” said Sandra Curnow, vice president of the Okanagan Valley Music Festival Society of Penticton, between performances Saturday. “They do everything from strings to stage acting to singing.”
The first two sessions took place Friday and Saturday and will wrap up Sunday at St. Saviour’s.
Related: Kiwanis Music Festival
The public is encouraged to attend. Admission is by donation.
Competition continues Friday with the piano event starting at the Penticton Alliance Church on Brandon Avenue and moving to St. Saviour’s Church on Orchard Avenue for Saturday and Sunday.
After Sunday, the festival breaks until April 4 when the stringed instruments will be featured at the Shatford Centre.
The grand finalé is April 28 and 29 at the Cleland Theatre when the public will have an opportunity to experience some of the best of the festival.
In addition to the adjudicated competition, where performers get to hear critique from the experts in the respective disciplines, there are also workshops, with everything designed to help the young musicians expand their creative horizons.
Tickets are $10 each or $30 for a family of four for the final two shows.
