Kelowna

Kelowna is a city that works together with its many community partners to assist and help the city's cultural needs. The city received an award of $500,000 in the year 2004, for being named the Cultural Capital of Canada in response to its vibrant and dynamic Cultural District. For the arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre is operated by the City and boasts of an 853-seat location in the Cultural District. The Theatre has been bringing people together ever since 1962, and it is home to Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Kelowna, Kelowna Community Concert Association, Viva Musica and Theatre Kelowna Society. The City even has Public Art pieces located throughout the whole area. These pieces are made by the community's non-profit groups or residents. Additionally, the City of Kelowna provides Arts Grants to non-profit arts and cultural organizations which produce yearly arts-focused pursuits in the City. They work in partnership with the Kelowna Museum, Kelowna Art Gallery, Parks Alive, and Rotary Centre for the Arts.

The city boasts of special festivals and cultural events. Hardly a time passes by without anybody encountering anything new or fun to do. Those who like to experience its festivals will definitely have a great time at the Mardi Gras Street festival, Fat Cats Children's Festival, Okanagan Wine Festival, and Parks Alive. Fat Cat Children's Festival is operated by volunteers and funded locally. It attracts many parents and children each year. Mardi Gras offers pubs and restaurants all throughout the night. There are even stage performances and children's activity zone including climbing wall and dunk tank. Okanagan Wine Festivals are held three times in the Okanagan Valley. Everyone is invited to sample award-winning wines, attend educational seminars, and eat native cuisine. Parks Alive is a non-profit program that brings art and culture to Kelowna's parks and lakefront from the month of June to the month of September.

Kelowna is considered the largest city in the tourist-oriented Okanagan Valley, and employs most of its people within the service business. The area in and around Kelowna produces many wines which have garnered international recognition. There are numerous vineyards south of the city, where the nice type of weather enables for the cultivation and production of wine. One of the most popular ones is the Mission Hill Estate Winery, which is unique for its architectural design. Kelowna is even known for Sun-Rype, a popular snack and fruit juice company. The City is the seat of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the third biggest metropolitan area in British Columbia. It is even the third biggest within the British Columbia Interior. The city of Kelowna has several lovely lakes and mild weather, which makes it among the fastest growing cities within North America.