New festival hopes to change Kamloops stereotypes

KAMLOOPS – The organizers of a new Kamloops festival are hoping to unite music, art and business through a one-day event called Subculture Kamloops.

The festival's director, Chris Lynch, says the event will incorporate live music events, business showcases and interactive art opportunities.

"We have a vibrant city, but too often when I ask people who are new to Kamloops what they think about the city, I hear 'Kamloops is a hick town' which is a pretty bold statement," Lynch says, adding he hopes to change the mindsets of some people through the festival.

"There's going to be a focus on the next generation of technology, there will be live graffiti, musical events, a beer garden," he says. "We really want to use this platform to showcase to people what's happening in Kamloops."

The festival will take place on Aug. 25 at iTEL Networks. Lynch says so far they have sold 65 per cent of tickets and are hoping for a sold-out festival.

Lynch, who studied at Thompson Rivers University, says he's looking forward to celebrating the different subcultures Kamloops has to offer.

The event will take place from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and is open to anybody 19 and over.

For more information on tickets or schedules of the event, go to the festival's official website here.

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