In early March 2022, when Ignite the Arts was nothing more than an ambitious idea, Paul Crawford said Penticton could one day be the 害羞草研究所渃ultural capital of B.C.害羞草研究所�

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.

That害羞草研究所檚 due in part to the 害羞草研究所渞emarkable害羞草研究所� third annual Ignite the Arts Festival, which drew record crowds across the city害羞草研究所檚 downtown core from March 29-31.

害羞草研究所淚t was a wonderful celebration of culture,害羞草研究所� 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.

That害羞草研究所檚 up from the 70 performers who appeared at the event in 2023, with acts taking their respective stage after the well-attended 害羞草研究所淧arade For No Reason害羞草研究所� on Friday evening, March 29.

害羞草研究所淭he parade is a symbol of pride and joy, as well as a vehicle for inclusion and self-expression,害羞草研究所� Crawford said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 about kicking off the weekend and coming together as a community.害羞草研究所�

Crawford praised the hundreds of artists and thousands of the festival害羞草研究所檚 attendees for bringing 害羞草研究所渧ibrancy害羞草研究所� to Penticton during its shoulder season.

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

害羞草研究所淓very stage was pretty much full with unique performers from across the province,害羞草研究所� said the gallery害羞草研究所檚 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 year害羞草研究所檚 Ignite the Arts Festival, attendees had no shortage of options for things to do and performances to see.

From folk metal bands to 害羞草研究所淔unkin害羞草研究所� Rockin害羞草研究所� Jazz害羞草研究所� and songwriting sessions for children, entertainment was always at the forefront from 11 a.m. to midnight every day.

Crawford says he wasn害羞草研究所檛 surprised to see so many artists eager to be part of the Penticton-based festival.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 amazing to create something that people want to be a part of,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭o me, that害羞草研究所檚 the hallmark of a successful event.害羞草研究所�

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 festival害羞草研究所檚 economic benefit to the community, once final numbers are tallied.

害羞草研究所淭his year, I really felt things came together,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淚 think a greater portion of the community is starting to understand what we害羞草研究所檙e doing and I hope that it only grows from here.害羞草研究所�