In early March 2022, when Ignite the Arts was nothing more than an ambitious idea, Paul Crawford said Penticton could one day be the 91裸聊视频渃ultural capital of B.C.91裸聊视频�

Two years later, the longtime Penticton Art Gallery curator says the South Okanagan community is way ahead of schedule when it comes to making that dream a reality.

That91裸聊视频檚 due in part to the 91裸聊视频渞emarkable91裸聊视频� third annual Ignite the Arts Festival, which drew record crowds across the city91裸聊视频檚 downtown core from March 29-31.

91裸聊视频淚t was a wonderful celebration of culture,91裸聊视频� Crawford said, adding around 1,700 attended the festival on each day, from Friday to Sunday.

The weekend featured more than 100 acts across 10 different venues.

That91裸聊视频檚 up from the 70 performers who appeared at the event in 2023, with acts taking their respective stage after the well-attended 91裸聊视频淧arade For No Reason91裸聊视频� on Friday evening, March 29.

91裸聊视频淭he parade is a symbol of pride and joy, as well as a vehicle for inclusion and self-expression,91裸聊视频� Crawford said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 about kicking off the weekend and coming together as a community.91裸聊视频�

Crawford praised the hundreds of artists and thousands of the festival91裸聊视频檚 attendees for bringing 91裸聊视频渧ibrancy91裸聊视频� to Penticton during its shoulder season.

There was something for everyone, he said, and even things some people may never see again.

91裸聊视频淓very stage was pretty much full with unique performers from across the province,91裸聊视频� said the gallery91裸聊视频檚 curator, who also helped organize a similar festival in the B.C. community of Wells in the early 2000s.

At any given hour during this year91裸聊视频檚 Ignite the Arts Festival, attendees had no shortage of options for things to do and performances to see.

From folk metal bands to 91裸聊视频淔unkin91裸聊视频� Rockin91裸聊视频� Jazz91裸聊视频� and songwriting sessions for children, entertainment was always at the forefront from 11 a.m. to midnight every day.

Crawford says he wasn91裸聊视频檛 surprised to see so many artists eager to be part of the Penticton-based festival.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 amazing to create something that people want to be a part of,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淭o me, that91裸聊视频檚 the hallmark of a successful event.91裸聊视频�

The festival has also proved to be an economic boom for Penticton over the last few years.

With a spike in hotel bookings and record number of accommodations provided to travelling artists, Crawford says he looks forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks on the festival91裸聊视频檚 economic benefit to the community, once final numbers are tallied.

91裸聊视频淭his year, I really felt things came together,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 think a greater portion of the community is starting to understand what we91裸聊视频檙e doing and I hope that it only grows from here.91裸聊视频�