Tens of thousands turn out for the first Canada Day celebration in Kelowna since 2019

Canada Day festivities were back in full force in Kelowna Friday, and people flocked to the downtown and waterfront to celebrate after two long years of the pandemic putting a damper on fun and celebrations.

Tens of thousands listened to music, visited vendors and food trucks and enjoyed the water.

Everyone Castanet spoke to was relieved to see people back out enjoying themselves.

“I love Canada Day. I missed it for the last two years,” said Angela, who was dressed up in a red-sequined shirt with a red cowboy hat.

Alan and Marianne Hansen were catching some shade in waterfront park. They were people watching before heading home to catch the fireworks from their home overlooking the water in West Kelowna.

"It’s really nice to see everyone around and people out. So, it’s really fun,” said Pascale, who grew up in Montreal. This was her first Canada Day in Kelowna.

Ken from Okanagan Kettle Corn was run off his feet, but glad to be so busy.

“Everyone’s all happy out here and having a good time. It’s nice to see everyone out and about,” he said.

This was the first time that the start of Meet Me on Bernard coincided with the Canada Day festival.

The City of Kelowna estimates upwards of 60,000 people will take part in the fun and celebrations, which wrap up with the fireworks at 10 p.m.

The full schedule of events can be found here.