The feature concert in the Live! in Lake Country open air concert series is being called a huge success with an estimated 1,200 people attending the free concert July 16 in Beasley Park.
The show featured the Celtic band Cod Gone Wild as well as Elvis tribute show Elvis Evolution, featuring Adam Fitzpatrick.
The two acts were the 2016 “feature performance event” for Live! in Lake Country, the series that replaced the Lake Country Open Air Performance series.
Lake Country cultural development coordinator Ryan Donn said it was a great concert and got a huge response from the community.
“We wanted to show Lake Country the potential we have for culture in the community,” said Donn. “Having over 1,200 folks of all ages come out and enjoy a free evening of music together—making new connections with their neighbours—is what Live! in Lake Country is all about. This show was only possible because a number of sponsors helped us fund these top notch acts.”
With over 1,200 fans coming out to the Live! In Lake Country concert earlier this month, there was bound to be some issues and one of those was parking.
The July 16 concert at Beasley Park was one of the largest outdoor concerts in terms of attendance in Lake Country, but several residents were upset that they received parking tickets.
“A great concert but….there isn’t proper signage on the roads for drivers, unlike Okanagan Centre where the signage is very clear about road parking,” wrote Donna Wood on the District of Lake Country’s Facebook page. “With over 1,000 people at that concert where is everyone supposed to park?”
A few days after the concert, at the Lake Country council meeting, Coun. Penny Gambell raised the issue as well, passing on comments regarding parking tickets while noting the concert was fabulous.
Gambell requested that staff investigate the issue and deal with it in a more proactive way so visitors can find an appropriate place to legally park.
According to the district, it was the RCMP that were ticketing vehicles that were illegally parked along Woodsdale Road.
“While parking is allowed on the north side of Woodsdale Road, the width of the travel lanes is significantly impacted when cars are parked on both sides restricting emergency vehicles from getting through,” the district responded on its Facebook. “For public safety this no parking area must be enforced. While parking facilities have been expanded at Beasley Park in recent years, we will definitely be encouraging people to car pool, walk or cycle, or arrange for a shuttle service if possible for future large events in this park.”
Coun. Matt Vader requested that a review of current parking in Lake Country be discussed at an upcoming strategy session that Lake Country will hold, including why certain areas are identified as no parking and ensuring emergency vehicles can have accessible routes.
Coun. Owen Dickie said that he would like to put a positive spin on the Live! in Lake Country event, noting that it was amazing with a turn out almost as large as Oyama Fun Days.
Sponsors for the event included title sponsor TD Canada Trust, and others like Lakestone, Kiwanis, Save On Foods, Lake Country Calendar, Moving Pixel Productions and New Horizon Productions.
Upcoming shows for Live! in Lake Country:
July 30 - Kaloya Park
6:40 p.m. Sophia Boal
7 p.m. Black Umfolosi
August 6 - Jack Seaton Park
6:40 p.m. Madison Gendemann
7 p.m. Brandon Schmoor
8 p.m. James Buddy Rogers
August 13 - Swalwell Park
6:40 p.m. Shea Fraser
7 p.m. Hip Replacements
8 p.m. Sista B Duo
August 20 - Beasley Park
6:40 p.m. Chris Schriek
7 p.m. Blue City Trio
8 p.m. Jeff Piattelli
August 27 Apex Drive Park in The Lakes
6:40 p.m. Laura Close
7 p.m. Rick Halishaf
8 p.m. Movie-in-the-Park