In just a little over 3 short weeks, wine bloggers from across North America and beyond will descend upon British Columbia, and one of its jewel cities, Penticton.
Step outside the front doors of our host hotel, the Penticton Lakeside Resort, and you’re mere steps away from downtown Penticton. Cross the parking lot, and take a stroll up Main Street — yes, Main Street. Small town charm with a sip of sophistication awaits.
In the first block of Main, you’ll pass Gyro Park with its blue-sky band shell; this is the home of concerts and festivals all summer long, and base-camp for everything from Penticton’s Elvis Festival to the new Challenge Penticton triathlon.
It’s also home to the Downtown Penticton Association’s Breakfast in the Park. On Saturday morning, WBC attendees are invited to Gyro for a light, and portable, breakfast featuring tasty treats from some downtown cafes and restaurants.
This isn’t a sit-down affair; you’ll quickly be enthralled by the Penticton Farmer’s Market in the 100 block of Main Street, and then want to make your way to the 200-400 blocks for the Downtown Community Market, one of the largest outdoor markets in British Columbia.
Souvenir shopping will be easy with dozens of stalls featuring arts and crafts, clothing, jewelry, local artisan food and more. Pop into an art gallery, bookstore or coffee shop as you make your way through the market. Instagram a photo or two of sculptures you’ll pass by, or art created on the walls and in the alleyways as part of Penticton’s street art festival.
As you head back to the hotel, take a walk down Front Street for more market action, check out a few restaurants for later plans, and maybe pick up a cupcake.
Downtown Penticton is the heart of our host city, and the Downtown Penticton Association is its voice, bringing together merchants, residents, businesses, not-for-profit and social service agencies, arts and cultural groups, government, educational institutions and many other community groups to enhance the economic development and social fabric of Penticton.
The Downtown Penticton Association is a sponsor of this year’s WBC, and we want to thank them for their support, hard work, and advocacy to bringing wine bloggers to the Okanagan! And as they say,
“Welcome to downtown Penticton, we’ve got everything under the sun”.
Visit www.downtownpenticton.org , tweet @dtpenticton, or like facebook.com/downtownpenticton.
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