Launch of BC Culture Days to be held at Vernon's Polson Park Sept. 23

The following is excerpted from Castanet.

Vernon's Polson Park will be buzzing with activity during the provincial launch of BC Culture Days.

Presented by the Arts Council of the North Okanagan and BC Culture Days, the kick off takes place Sept. 23 and will feature children's and family activities, music, dance, visual arts, culture, heritage, history and more.

The opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with Pauline Archachan from Okanagan Indian Band providing a welcome to the land.

Mayor Victor Cumming will say a few words, MLA Harwinder Sandhu will be unveiling a proclamation, and Caroline Ivey, member of the National Culture Days board, will be presenting an arts and culture volunteer award.

Live music and dance performances will grace the bandstand from morning to night, starting with children's acts in the early morning, moving into an afternoon for all ages, and closing with an upbeat evening concert hosted by Local Losers.

Performers include Seth Spotted Eagle, Kiki the Eco Elf, Silly of the Valley, Duane Marchand, Elodie Orsei, Mozi Bones, Hot Sax, Stonefruits and Cloaker.
The Polson Artisan Night Market will be on site all day, along with local food trucks.

There will be numerous activity and information tents with an array of things to see and do.

Children's activities include sing-a-longs and storytelling with the Salmon Tent , Sarah Elliman and Abbie Wilson, crafts with Allan Brooks Nature Centre, fossil digs and art projects with Okanagan Science Centre, a colouring contest with Century 21, wandering musicians from the Vernon Community Music School, Japanese origami and calligraphy with the Vernon Community Arts Centre, face painting and crafts with Tourism Vernon and more.