Summer activities ramping up in the South Okanagan this weekend

PENTICTON – Enjoy a block party in Penticton, walk for a cause, learn about some history or attend an open air concert this weekend in the South Okanagan and Similkameen.

Ellis on the Rise Block Party is a free event hosted by the Downtown Penticton Association. It runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, May 26, with live entertainment, food trucks, activities for kids, and a beer garden that will be open from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Find out more at the Downtown Penticton Association web page.

The Similkameen Heritage Festival at Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens is three days of events and activities celebrating 150 years of history in the Similkameen Valley. The event takes place Thursday, May 25 through Saturday, May 27, at the Keremeos Grist Mill and Gardens. Call 250-499-2888 for more information.

Rotary Club Lobster Fest is on Saturday, May 27, starting at 5:30 p.m. with Nova Scotia lobster or barbecue chicken and ribs. The event takes place at the Senior’s Drop in Centre at 2905 South Main St. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased online at www.pentictonrotary.org., at the Red Bag Stores or at the Shatford Centre. For more information, call 778-476-5456.

Downtown Community Market and Penticton Farmer's Market are back on Saturday morning on Penticton’s Main Street. The Community Market operates from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the Farmer’s Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Local talent Beamer Wigley performs at the Dream Cafe Saturday, May 27, at 6 p.m.

The 2015 Western Canadian Music Award Nominees The Boom Booms perform at Tinhorn Creek Winery, Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at tinhorn.com/concerts.

The Cystic Fybrosis Walk takes place Sunday, May 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., from one end of Okanagan Lake to the other. The walk starts at Okanagan Lake Park, cost is by donation.

On Saturday, May 27, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Penticton RCMP Community Policing members and volunteers will be collecting food donations at the Penticton Real Canadian Superstore at 100-2210 Main St. for the Cram the Cruiser event. All food donations will be given to the Penticton Salvation Army food bank.

The Scotiabank MS Walk also takes place Sunday, May 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Participants have a choice of a two or five kilometre walk, starting at Skaha Lake Park. Check in time is 8 a.m., start time is 10 a.m. To sign up, go to http://mssic.convio.net Sponsorship and volunteer opportunities for this event are also available. For more information, call 1-800-268-7582, ext 7262.

Tea at the Top of the Fur Brigade Trail takes place Sunday, May 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hikers meet bikers at the lookout where cookies and tea will be available. Cost is by donation, proceeds will go towards Fur Brigade Trail enhancements. Register by emailing trail.of.the.okanagans@gmail.com with the subject line, “Tea at the Top registration."

Justin Koshman performs at Sunday, May 28, at Cannery Brewing. The free event runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

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