Kelowna, BC – The City of Kelowna is proud to unveil a special commemorative display at City Hall in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Kelowna Folkfest, a long-standing multicultural tradition that has brought together residents and visitors in celebration of diversity since 1974.
Located in the City Hall lobby, the display features archival photographs, memorabilia, and stories showcasing Folkfest’s five-decade legacy of cultural performances, traditional cuisine, and vibrant community engagement.
“Folkfest is a reflection of Kelowna’s multicultural spirit and the resilience of our community’s commitment to cultural expression and connection,” said Dr. Joanne Taylor, Cultural Advisor to the City of Kelowna. “This display invites the public to pause and reflect on how far we’ve come, and to celebrate the many communities that have contributed to our city’s cultural richness.”
The display launched on Friday, June 20, with Mayor Tom Dyas, Councillors Ron Cannan and Gord Lovegrove, and members of the Folkfest committee and local communities in attendance. It will remain open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (excluding statutory holidays), until September 12, 2025.
The public is invited to continue the celebration at Kelowna Folkfest 2025 on July 1 at Prospera Place, from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM, featuring global cuisine, cultural performances, cake cutting ceremony, and the Canada Day Drumming celebration at 11:30 AM—free rattle drums will be handed out to attendees.
Folkfest was also highlighted at the Canada Day joint news launch on June 24 at Stuart Park, alongside Festivals Kelowna and the Kelowna City Concert Band, with presentations by Mayor Tom Dyas and Nicole Rustad (on behalf of MP Stephen Fuhr), and representation from MLA Gavin Dew’s office by Jarrod Stocker.
For more information and updates, follow the Kelowna Folkfest Facebook page or visit Kelowna Folkfest.
2025 Kelowna Folkfest
Committee Chair: Elna von Dach
Vice Chair: Fei Liu
Secretary: Linda Kovach
Treasurer: Julia Proulx
Directors: Steven Finkleman, Marriana Chen, Andy Wang, Noushin Mahmoudpour
Dr. Joanne Taylor with Folkfest committee and community reps.
We respectfully acknowledge that the OCCA is operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Syilx Okanagan Nation.
Please note that we will have a photographer on site during the events. If you prefer not to be featured in any photographs, kindly contact OCCA at info@occabc.ca.
