Penticton launching pop-up parks for second year of "Picnic-ton"

Photo: City of Penticton

As warm weather is returning, so is the successful City of Penticton "Picnic-ton" program, with pop-up events coming soon.

Temporary outdoor spaces, or "parklets," will be erected on city streets, creating a spot for residents to eat outdoors and enjoy free entertainment.

“Pop-up Picnic-ton is a Love Local initiative to promote shopping, eating, drinking and supporting local. Order your takeout meal and head down to this pop-up event to eat outdoors, play some yard games, listen to live music and enjoy the ‘street park’ atmosphere,” said Carly Lewis, economic development manager.

This year’s event will be held over the following two days and locations:

• Saturday, June 4, 12-4 p.m.: Winnipeg St. at Estabrook Ave.
• Saturday, June 18, 12-4 p.m.: 500-block of Main Street

All local businesses that offer takeout for and drink will be automatically enrolled in the program, which will see their location plotted on an interactive map.

Businesses that wish their description on the map to be altered can email a short message of 35 words or less to [email protected]

Picnic-ton was created to stimulate local businesses as part of the COVID-19 Safe Restart Task Force. This year’s event also supports a Task Force recommendation to increase public space downtown with temporary road closures.

"Picnic-ton is a great opportunity to support our local businesses and reconnect with friends and family over a picnic. We hope you enjoy this ‘Love Local’ activity and thank you for supporting local,” said Penticton Mayor, John Vassilaki.

More information will be posted online here.