Vernon Ready For Funtastic
Canada Day Events
Betty Selin
6/29/2012
Canada's largest slo-pitch tournament and music festival gets underway tonight at the DND grounds in Vernon, as well as in Armstrong and Enderby.
There are 300 teams, with about 45-hundred ball players.
President, Brett Kirkpatrick says they couldn't do it without the 450 volunteers and 120 local sponsors.
Each year Funtastic provides approximately $4.5 million in economic benefit and has given back 1.3 million dollars to the community.
Michelle Jefferson, with Vernon Tourism says local accommodations are very busy, but there are a few rooms available and a few camping spots. She says the Visitor Centre is keeping tabs on availability so people can contact them for more info.
The Celebrate Canada Day Fireworks event is set for Sunday night at 10:15 Event Chair, Terry Schmauder, says the 25-thousand dollar event will be the biggest yet. The Fireworks event is going to be special this year, thanks to extra funding for a digital firing system.
Schmauder, says the budget this year is 25-thousand dollars and it will be a really good show.
It's at the DND Grounds with free Transit from the Boys and Girl's Club. The show will start at 10:15 p.m and you can park at the Performing Arts Centre. The family Canada Day event runs all day in Polson Park, starting at 10am.
Vernon RCMP spokesperson, Gord Molendyk says they are ready for the huge influx of people. He says they'll also be doing road checks looking for people who are drinking and driving.