Lions, dragons downtown

Dragons and lions took over Main Street in Penticton Monday for a dancing and drumming show promoting a yearly Canada Day celebration. 

For the past two years on July 1, the Canada Day Drumming group has spent six minutes conducting a drum ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. sharp Pacific, at the same time as many other groups nationwide. 

"It's to promote diversity, multicultural harmony, peace and love, for a better world," said representative Richard Wong. "We came up with the idea, why not celebrate through drumming, throughout Canada?"

This year, they had 12 cities participate. They hope their tour through B.C.'s interior will drum up more interest and grow the movement event further. 

"Today we brought our performance that relates to drumming, which is dragon dancing and lion dancing, to bring the drumming spirit of happiness, prosperity, peace and celebration to Penticton," Wong said. 

The dance group performed on the 100 block of Main Street in front of City Hall at around 1 p.m. Monday, witnessed by members of council and Mayor Andrew Jakubeit, along with members of the public. 

For more information on the Canada Day Drumming group, click here.