Kelowna

Keloha 2012

Photo: Contributed - John Van Alphen

Photo: Contributed - John Van Alphen

Photo: Contributed - John Van Alphen

Photo: Contributed - John Van Alphen

Photo: Contributed - Kathryn Ramsay

Photo: Contributed - Kathryn Ramsay

Photo: Contributed - Kevin N

Photo: Contributed - Whitney Bindon

Photo: Contributed - David Cooper

Photo: Contributed

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Keloha Hoʻokō ʻana -  or success in Hawaiian.

Crafted as an island getaway, it created the perfect atmosphere for a music and art festival. Waterfront Park served as the place to be this weekend: with two stages, beer gardens, a host of vendors and of course great music. 

The island stage was placed in front of a natural amphitheatre, while the beach stage was set up on the sand next to Okanagan Lake.

Wet Ape festival organizer Kelly Shepherd says she couldn't be happier.

“We really feel like it couldn't have gone any better. The City of Kelowna was really happy, RCMP were really happy and our staff had fun; they really enjoyed themselves.”

Cpl. Andy Burpee agrees with Shepherd, saying the event went of without a hitch.

“Extra policing resources were deployed for the event as large numbers of people were expected to attend.  Most everybody was very well behaved.  There were a small number of minor liquor related offences that were dealt with... however, no actual arrests were made at the event over all three days."

ICM Security worked with Wet Ape productions for the first time and Shepherd says they did a great job making sure there was more security than at festivals in the past, because the event was taking place downtown.

“We wanted to make sure everyone is safe and that's why we over staffed with security. In case there was an issue we could handle it properly.”

Because the festival allowed people to go in and out of the gates as they pleased, Shepherd says what was brought into the event had to be well controlled.

“It becomes really hard to control what people can bring in, so we just said no to any outside food or drink. If we opened it up for people to bring in food it becomes really hard for people to check everything, and because we are right downtown, people could leave to go get food if they didn't want to eat inside.”

Over 10,000 people attended the event over the weekend, with Sunday being the busiest day due to the most anticipated line-up of musicians, according to Shepherd.

“We couldn't have asked for a better venue or better weather this weekend. It was a laid back theme with lots of Hawaiian influence, hula girls and leis at the door, it was a really nice touch to the whole festival vibe.”

Overall, Shepherd feels everyone at the festival had a great time and was treated with respect. 

“We really want this to become an annual thing, so we can't wait to see what 2013 will bring.”

Check out more photos in the Keloha gallery and send your pictures to news@castanet.net.