Boonstock gives $4.5 million boost to Penticton economy

PENTICTON – Survey results released Tuesday by Boonstock festival organizers show a total economic impact of $4.5 million for the Penticton region generated by the festival over the August long weekend.

Some 2,500 people responded to the survey — roughly a quarter of the 8,621 "unique attendees" over the three-and-a-half day event, according to the report.

The event’s total expenses were $2.4 million with roughly half spent locally including wages and salaries of $280,000. For example, attendees, on average, spent roughly $1.1 million at restaurants and bars and $1.3 million on supplies over the August long weekend. All added up, the economic impact on the Penticton region totalled $4.5 million, according to the report. 

The results show that the majority of attendees were between the ages of 19-34 and nearly 60 per cent female. It was most people’s first time attending Boonstock, and many drove from out of town and stayed on the campsite.

While the general feedback was rather positive — 40 per cent said their overall experience was “awesome” and roughly 19 per cent said “needed improvement” — only a third said they would definitely return next year.

The results also don’t show the feedback from a written response portion of the questionnaire, which was mainly multiple choice-style questions.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.