The OCCA Communities Association is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of its Mid-Autumn Festival, held on September 14, 2024, at Grizzili Winery. With several hundred participants from across Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Peachland, and Lake Country, the event was a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity, community spirit, and traditional festivities.
Event Highlights
The 2024 Mid-Autumn Festival, hosted by the OCCA Communities Association, began with an exciting Dragon and Lion show, setting a festive mood. The Opening Ceremony featured remarks from distinguished guests including MLA Norm Letnick, Mayor Gord Milsom, and Candice Loring, as well as letters from MP Dan Albas and MP Tracy Gray, who were engaged in Ottawa.
The event highlighted a diverse range of performances, including traditional dances, singing, and music from Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino communities, as well as contributions from participants from diverse backgrounds, including Canadian poet Fern G. Z. Carr.
Attendees enjoyed interactive workshops on mooncake making and tasting, tea art demonstrations, calligraphy, traditional painting, and Go chess. Family-friendly activities included lantern decorating, lantern riddles, two-themed photo booths, diverse cultural exhibits, ring toss, face painting, and prize draws. The Central Okanagan School District 23 Settlement Services team was also on-site to assist immigrant families, further enhancing the festival’s inclusive and welcoming atmosphere.
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.
