Okanagan Wines - Festivals and Events

Festival: Festival of the Grape

Location:	Oliver Community Park 36003 79th Street Oliver, BC, V0H 1T0
Admission:	$18.00
Date:	October 01, 2006 to October 01, 2006
Time:	Noon to sundown

Click here for the Festival of the Grape website

The 2006 Festival of the Grape is October 1st 2006.

There's much more than wine at the Oliver Festival of the Grape. Wine tasting, face painting, live entertainment, food vendors, trade show, games and of course... the Grape Stomp! Eight teams are ready to go, plus there will be a Celebrity Stomp...one heat, winner take all!!

Oliver's Festival of the Grape is rapidly becoming known as a great, all-day FAMILY event! This annual family event, opened by a special ceremonial "blessing of the harvest", is held at the Oliver Community park alongside the Okanagan River, from noon to sundown Sunday, October 1, 2006.

The festival has a "trade show" aspect, in which spectators can browse through the many trade vendors from cheeses to exquisite wine accessories. The Festival of the Grape committee emphasizes the family focus of the event. This is not a snobby wine affair. It is a "celebration" of the things that all the families of the valley work towards.... community pride, family values, hard work and a little fun. Moms and Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas will be pleased with the many activities that will keep the kids happy, while at the same time they can enjoy a taste of the valley's wineries and the purveyors of good food, music and fun.

Festival tickets, which include a lovely "Festival of the Grape" wine glass and three "grapes" (the currency of the event) are $18.00 at the gate ($16.00 advance) Kids are free. Tickets can be ordered, or information can be had by calling the Oliver and District Chamber of Commerce office at (250) 498-6321, or emailing us at info@oliverchamber.bc.ca

TICKETS:
The Festival of the Grape Committee highly recommends you purchase your tickets in advance to avoid line-ups at the gate. Extra tickets for food and wine sampling are available inside the grounds. All food and drink can only be purchased by buying "grape" currency from the booths. Over 34 wineries and 17 food vendors will be on hand for you to enjoy.

PARADE:
Starting at 11:45 near the entrance the Parade of Celebrities, led by the exhilarating Portuguese Drumming Band, will proceed to the official opening and blessing of the harvest.

PARKING:
Parking on site is available and overflow parking is just a short walk away. When travelling in from the North (Hwy 97) turn left at the first stop light (7-11 store) and watch for the grounds just across the river channel. If travelling from the south turn right at the second stop light (7-11 store). If you don't mind a short one or two block walk, take the first street (93rd Street left or right) after the turn at the stop light and park anywhere along the street.

SEATING:
There is some seating available on the grounds and if you wish, bring your own lawn chair to enjoy the entertainment.

SUNBURN:
It is a good idea to have some sun protection. Even though the event is in October, a few people go away sporting sunburns each year.