This weekend it’s time to pull out all the stops and taste-to-challenge your pallet with a selection of sensational world-class taste-bud-busting brews from across North America! That’s right; Fest of Ale is back to celebrate its 17th annual consecutive year this Friday and Saturday, April 13th and 14th, at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. This celebrated occasion attracts patrons and visitors from all over the map and continues to be a success beyond measure, with plenty of accolades to boot, including last year’s donation of over $95,000 to the South Okanagan community at large. Bragging rights extend to all of us, by the unremitting hard work, care and compassion of the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale Society Board of Directors, coordinators and volunteers, who have managed to gift over $387,000 cash to numerous qualifying Registered Charitable Organizations since 2003.
Each year, from May through to June, registered charitable community organizations are invited to submit their request for community funding from the net proceeds of the annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale event. Past organizations have included: Agur Lake Camp, Girls at Risk Program, Okanagan College Foundation, D.A.R.E., Boys and Girls Clubs, Victim Assistance Society and Kid Sport Canada, to name but a few. Moreover The Society also provides scholarships for the following educational institutions: Okanagan College Foundation, Penticton Secondary School, Princess Margaret Secondary School and Summerland Secondary School. Lastly, the OFOA Society has extended their bequest, with the establishment of the Legacy Fund, to provide community support in the event of cessation, dispersing the interest on funds collected from past events on an annual basis. In doing so, the Fest-of-Ale has truly become a substance for community support, awareness and synergistic cooperation.
Considerations of the non-profit society take care to support and promote tourism, hospitality and food and beverage factions and industries within the community, alongside those featured microbreweries, upholding Penticton as a renowned all-year destination. Many various local and Canadian restaurants, businesses and products are showcased at the event, together with incredible entertainment and musical talent, some of which were included in the 2011 People’s Choice Award Winners for Best Band, Best Booth and Best Food. Expect nothing but the best from an incredible program of artists, including Joe’s Garage (who will also be performing at the Barking Parrot post-event, where the party will continue!) Look out for this year’s most sensational food booth hosted by the Bufflehead Tapas & Pasta Room, featuring a custom-designed Roman themed platform sampling the finest Italian cuisine in the valley. Lastly, if driving is an issue, the event has organized in conjunction with the BC Liquor Stores Get Home Sage Program, for patrons to receive $3 off their ride home with participating cab companies and community groups.
The Penticton Lakeside Resort is excited to offer excellent accommodation packages with the purchase of your OFOA ticket. For more information, call us directly at: 250-493-8221 or you can contact Okanagan Reservations toll free: 1 800-663-1900. The festivities will begin this Friday at 4:00 pm until 9:00 pm and will continue Saturday from 12 noon until 6:00 pm. Tickets cost $20 (Canadian) per person per day (plus facility & handling fees and HST) and will be sold in advance only. For more information on ticket purchasing, please visit the OFOA website at:
www.fest-of-ale.bc.ca
It’s safe to say, the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale is more than just a celebration of good brew, it’s a foundation built on the fundamentals of philanthropy, which stands akin to the event itself. By the authentic purpose of affecting change, growth and development on a human level through communal fun and celebratory spirit, the Okanagan Fest-of-Ale does everything to inspire and leaves nothing to be desired. See you all there!
-Elizabeth Cucnik
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