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Kelowna  

Rock the lake!

Youth of the '80s rejoice. The decade of excess is coming back to Kelowna – for one weekend, at least.

RG Sports and Entertainment and Prospera Place have announced the first Rock the Lake Festival, Aug. 12-14.

"We have seen over the years Kelowna grow as a market that really appreciates rock, Canadian rock in particular," said RG Properties president Dave Dakers.

"We've seen this market's appetite grow for outside festivals and we felt it was time to bring something that really fit this market."

The three-day classic rock festival will take place outdoors at Prospera, in the west parking lot, with a lineup of bands pulled from the top Canadian hitmakers of the 70's and 80'sera. They include:

Friday, Aug. 12

Kick Ax, Prism, Loverboy

Saturday, Aug. 13

Doucette, Lee Aaron, Harlequin, Streetheart

Sunday, Aug. 14

Nick Gilder and Sweeney Todd, Saga, Headpins, Trooper

Gates open at 5 p.m. on the Friday, and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival grounds will have food, drinks, VIP access, and a generous in and out policy. Patrons will have the ability to bring in their own chairs so they can relax and enjoy what the festival has to offer.

"This really isn't about the acts but it's about downtown Kelowna and showcasing it with the 3,000 or 4,000 people that are going to be at this event," said Dakers.

"We have a  generous in and out policy and a late start to the day and early finish so people have a lot of time to enjoy the downtown core, the restaurants, the hotels and all that Kelowna has to offer."

The venue will be able to accommodate 3,500 concert goers during each of the three days.

The concert is similar to a Rock The River concert weekend held the past few years in Saskatoon.

Dakers said he sees this as a niche event for the community.

"We really think that this is something that can grow to be more than just one weekend.

"We are talking about expanding it to a country weekend next year. We see a big future for this outside."

Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m. at selectyourtickets.com, charge by phone at 250-762-5050 and are also available at the Prospera Place box office. 

Day passes are $49.50, including GST, while a full weekend pass runs $127.50 (plus service charges).



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