Kelowna

Photo: Contributed - Hopscotch

"Mm, I love scotch. I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down. Down into my belly. Mm-mm-mm." - Ron Burgundy from the movie Anchorman.

If you share the same sentiments for scotch as legendary movie Anchorman Ron Burgendy you may be interested in expanding your palate and attending the Hopscotch Festival in Kelowna on Saturday, Septemeber 24.

For the third year year in row Foodconnect.com is hosting a festival to showcase premium scotch, whisky and beer.

The festival used to go by the name the Okanagan Food and Drink Festival, but last year Foodconnect.com changed it up to increase the standards of the show.

The Hopscotch festival is a chance to rub shoulders and schmooze with other premium alcohol lovers and connoisseurs.

You will be able to sip, sample, taste and learn about different products in the area of scotch, whisky, premium beer, as well as spirts and wine.

Executive Director Adam Bloch, says last year the festival sold out with over 3200 attendees.

"The festival is a chance for people to expand their palates, it is kind of like an adult education tasting event but it's really fun."

There will be more than 40 vendors and more than 100 products being sampled, everything from 20 year old Scotch Whiskey to local beers from Kelowna's Tree Brewing Co.

Bloch estimates that the average age of Hopscotch festival goers are 25 to 40, with finer tastes for premium alcohol.

"Every year the attendance is growing and people say it's awesome."

The festival also takes place in Vancouver but Bloch says the Kelowna Hopscotch festival is much more laid back and casual.

"It isn't considered a party it is a social event where we will have music by a three piece jazz band as well as some great food to try."

The success of the past festivals has Bloch hoping the festival can expand into a two day event.

"We would really like this to be a large scale festival, if Kelowna wants it that is."

Bloch is asking festival goers to let organizers know what they thought of the event so his team can make it better and hopefully it will grow.

Tickets for the event are $20 in advance or $25 at the door which will get you a souvenir tasting glass, an official program and five tasting tokens.

Tickets are being sold online and at Capp's and the Eldorado liquor stores.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event runs until 11 p.m. at the Kelowna Curling Club.

Or.....

You can win a pair of tickets to Hopscotch Kelowna

Unscramble the famous scotch brands below. Then, use the bolded letters to come up with another well know scotch.

HSOICATREN

IGHAALPOR

DTULLIEIRBAN

DGULLNANEL

TRUMA

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

All of these scotches can be sampled during Hopscotch Kelowna and found on their website.

e-mail your answers along with your name and phone number to contests@castanet.net for youy chance to win.