James Bryan, Executive Chef at the Ramada Penticton Hotel & Suites, was the happy winner of  the 2013 FLSTC Heritage Softail Black Harley Davidson from the 2^nd Annual OK Falls Bike Rally raffle.

The draw was made by Jason Cox, the Chair of the Okanagan International Children’s Festival,  the recipient charity for the raffle.  Before the wining ticket was drawn Jason gave special thanks to Greg Rhyason and Carol Agate at the OK Falls Hotel, Jay O at CG Custom Motorcycles and our own Cindy Nelson. Many thanks also goes to Crystal Herner who worked hard to make the Bike Rally a success.

 The raffle draw took place at the OK Falls Hotel on May 15th 2013, at 4pm after a delay of a few days to ensure that all sold tickets were included. The odds for ticket buyers were good as only 1524 of a possible 3500 tickets were sold.

The Okanagan International Children’s Festival would like to thank everyone who bought a ticket or gave a donation. Due to the revenue from the part proceeds of the bike raffle, donations from the community and a loan of $20,000 from the City of Penticton, the Okanagan International Children’s Festival is able to start planning for the 2014 event.

Thanks to the Okanagan Falls 2nd Annual Bike Rally and OK Falls Hotel for choosing the Okanagan International Children’s Festival as the charity for their annual raffle!

GRAND PRIZE: 2013 FLSTC Heritage Softail Black HARLEY DAVIDSON
(Value: $22,678, BC Gaming Event License #51717)

2013 Heritage Soft Tail Harley Davidson

1 ticket for $20 (Must be 18 years old to purchase a ticket.)

Rules of Play

Tickets may be sold and purchased only in British Columbia.

Ticket purchasers must be 19 years or older. If a winning ticket bears a minor’s name, the prize will be lawfully delivered on behalf of the minor to the minor’s parent, legal guardian or trustee.

Excluded from Ticket Purchases:  Members of the Okanagan International Children’s Festival Society responsible for the conduct & management of the ticket raffle and employees are not permitted to purchase tickets for this raffle.

Ticket Sales Cut-Off Date & Time:
May 12th, 4pm.

Method of determining winner and awarding prize:  The 1 winning ticket will be drawn by a representative of the Children’s Festival on May 12th 2013.

Ticket Draw Location, Date & Time:  May 12th 2013 at approx 5 pm at the OK Falls Hotel, 1045 Main Street (Hwy 97), OK Falls, BC V0M 1R0.

Grand Prizes:  There will be no cash alternative to this grand prize.  Winner is responsible for the cost of prize delivery and consent to release of their name by licensee.  Additional consent to release for a photograph of winners for display on website may be requested.

Claiming Your Prize:  Your presence is not required at the draw, if your ticket number is selected, a representative will make every effort possible to contact you as soon as possible and within 10 days, to notify you of your win.  Proof of Ticket, identification and personal information is required to claim these prizes.  Winners are responsible for the cost of prize delivery and consent to release of their name by licensee.  Photograph/name of winner may be displayed on Okanagan International Children’s Festival website, accepting the prize is authorization.

Date & Location for the Publication of Winner’s Name: Okanagan International Children’s Festival website May 14th 2013.

Winner will be phoned/emailed on notification Monday after the draw.

This weekend in OK Falls the Okanagan International Children’s Festival will be partnering with Par-T-Perfect and the OK Falls Hotel to put on two fun filled days of activities as part of the 2^nd Annual OK Falls Bike Rally.

Events including a face painting contest, stilt walkers, craft stations, lawn games and an ATV Train will take place Saturday May 11 and Sunday May 12 from 10am-6pm.  Par-T-Perfect will also be bringing their inflatable bouncers for tiring fun. The event is held in the grounds of OK Falls Elementary School and entry to the Children’s area is $3 for a full day.

The event is the family component of the 2^nd annual OK Falls Bike Rally, organised by the OK Falls Hotel. Part proceeds from the event and the Harley Davidson bike raffle go to support the Okanagan International Children’s Festival, which will return to Penticton May 22-24 2014.

The Okanagan International Children’s Festival today announced two new and improved ways that the public and businesses may support the festival.

The Friends of the Festival donation program allows flexibility, with donors being able to choose benefits including tickets to the event or a charitable tax receipt for the full amount. Program levels start at $10 for an individual festival membership to $1,000 to become a Lifelong Friend.

In addition, a new sponsorship package has been developed to ensure that the festival reaches companies before their budgets are finalized for 2014. The package outlines the festival’s achievements in the last few years as well as providing levels of sponsorship that enable local and national organizations to become involved.

In response to the festival’s current fundraising push a few individuals and local organizations have come forward with donations as well as two other Canadian children’s festivals.

“We are grateful for the support we have received so far, but we need to maintain momentum with our fundraising initiatives,” said Vicky Jones, the festival’s new Executive Director. “We are still hopeful that enough funds can be raised to ensure the festival’s return in 2014.”

In a release issued on April 14^th the festival’s Chair, Jason Cox, explained how the unfortunate timing of staffing changes combined with the loss of its title sponsor had put the event in a precarious financial situation. At this time, the festival still needs to raise almost $20,000 to cover expenses for the next four months as they continue to plan for the 2014 festival.

For more information on the Friends of the Festival donation program and the new sponsorship packages visit www.okchildrensfest.com.

Board Calls For Community To Save Okanagan International Children’s Fest

Penticton, BC Friday, April 12, 2013 – The Okanagan International Children’s Festival, fixture for children in the region for over a decade, is suffering a financial crisis and needs the support of the community to continue.

The event, a labour of love founded by Gord Osland in 2003, was cancelled this year due to key staffing changes and the loss of its title sponsor, which left a financial and organizational gap. If enough funds are not raised over the next two weeks the 2012 festival could be the last.  

“Without a festival this year we don’t have access to our usual funds, but still have operational overheads to cover as we plan for 2014. We want to continue entertaining families in the area, but we cannot do that without the funds to sustain us over the next four months,” said Jason Cox, Festival Chair. “If we cannot raise the money then the children’s festival will close its doors for the indefinite future.”

Throughout the festival’s 10 year history it has maintained balanced budgets through ticket sales, grants, fundraising events and donor support. The festival even has two grants in place for the 2014 festival, but these funds are not available until September 2013 and April 2014 respectively.

In a time of dwindling ticket sales for non-profit arts organizations the festival has maintained a healthy audience, due largely to its programming of performers from around the world. It is to that audience that the festival now appeals.

“Until we secure funding for the 2014 festival, we need the community to step up and show that they support the festival. If we can convince 200 people to donate $100 each, then we can continue to plan for next year,” said Vicky Jones, the festival’s new Executive Director.

The Board would like to personally encourage anyone who has been involved in the festival as a funder, performer, volunteer or audience member to donate to the festival. For more details visit www.okchildrensfest.com.

Vicky Jones brings extensive experience in arts and cultural event planning, promotion and fundraising to the OICF. She also has experience in the fields of marketing, strategic planning and facilitation from her time working with the Whistler Children’s Art Festival, the Upper Similkameen Spirit Festival and the Vancouver International Film Festival, as well as municipal and international organizations.

The Board is confident that the set of skills that Vicky brings to the job of Executive Director, will serve the organization well, allowing her to develop and build upon the great work of outgoing Executive Director, Conrad Burek. Vicky and Conrad will work together during March to ensure a smooth transition.

The Okanagan International Children’s Festival is taking a year to refresh and revive in 2013 to ensure its future growth and viability so that it remains relevant and exciting to future audiences.

“I am excited to join the festival at this time. Our goal is to ensure that the 2014 festival will return well-positioned to face future challenges and opportunities and remain a vibrant part of the community’s life for many years to come. I look forward to meeting and working with everyone in taking the Festival into the future,” said Vicky.

The Board would like to thank the community for its continued support of the Okanagan International Children’s Festival during this important transition.

Outlets

Bayley’s Brew Ha Ha, 103-1652 Fairview Rd  Penticton

Burger 55, 85 Westminster Avenue East, Penticton

CG Custom Motorcycles, 288 Westminster Ave W, Penticton

Decoy Tavern, 320 Martin St  Penticton

The Grooveyard, 239 Main Street, Penticton

Call Okanagan International Children’s Festival Office for ticket details and times to purchase direct 250-493-8800.

Locations

Thur. April 4 - Penticton Vees vs. West Kelwona warriors Game, 7pm, SOEC 853 Eckhardt Ave. West, Penticton

Sat. April 6 – 2nd Annual Motorcycle Swap, 10am-4pm, Centennial Hall, 180 Rutland North, Kelowna

Sat. April 6 – Seedy Saturday, 10 am – 3 pm, Martin Street Plaza, #100, 436 Martin Street, Penticton

Sun. April 7 – Cherry Lane Shopping Centre, 230 – 2111 Main Street, Penticton

Sat. April 13 & Sun April 14 – Cherry Lane Shopping Centre, 230 – 2111 Main Street, Penticton

Mon Apr 15 – 7pm, Vees Game, SOEC, 853 Eckhardt Ave W Penticton

Tues Apr 16 – 7pm, Vees Game, SOEC, 853 Eckhardt Ave W Penticton

Sat. April 20 – South Okanagan Vintage Car Club Automotive Swap Meet, 12-4pm, SOEC Parking Lot, Penticton Curling Club, 505 Railway Avenue, Penticton

Sun. April 21 – Cherry Lane Shopping Centre, 230 – 2111 Main Street, Penticton

Sun. April 21 - Day of Destruction at PentictonSpeedway, 2pm, 2070 Carmi Avenue, Penticton

Sat. May 4 – Penticton Farmers’ Market, 8.30am-12 noon, intersection of Main St. and Front St., Penticton

Sat. May 11 – Penticton Farmers’ Market, 8.30am-12 noon, intersection of Main St. and Front St., Penticton

Watch for other venues to be announced.

Chances are 1 in 3,500 (total tickets for sale) to win a grand prize.

BC Gaming Event Licence #51717

Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-6111     www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca 

Know your limit, play within it         19 +    

The Okanagan Falls 2nd Annual Bike Rally organizers have generously chosen the South Okanagan’s very own Okanagan International Children’s Festival as the charity for their annual raffle!

GRAND PRIZE: 2013 FLSTC Heritage Softail Black HARLEY DAVIDSON
(Value: $22,678, BC Gaming Event License #51717)

2013 Heritage Soft Tail Harley Davidson

1 ticket for $20 (Must be 18 years old to purchase a ticket.)

The picture above is just a teaser. To see the actual beautiful prize bike drop into the OK Falls Hotel at 1054 Main Street, Okanagan Falls any time now until the draw date on May 12, 2013 at 5pm.

Ticket sales info coming soon!

Okanagan International Film Festival Society, 69 Nanaimo Ave. E., Suite 202, Penticton, BC V2A 1M1. Tel: 250-493-8800.

Rules of Play

Tickets may be sold and purchased only in British Columbia.

Ticket purchasers must be 19 years or older. If a winning ticket bears a minor’s name, the prize will be lawfully delivered on behalf of the minor to the minor’s parent, legal guardian or trustee.

Excluded from Ticket Purchases:  Members of the Okanagan International Children’s Festival Society responsible for the conduct & management of the ticket raffle and employees are not permitted to purchase tickets for this raffle.

Ticket Sales Cut-Off Date & Time:
May 12th, 4pm.

Method of determining winner and awarding prize:  The 1 winning ticket will be drawn by a representative of the Children’s Festival on May 12th 2013.

Ticket Draw Location, Date & Time:  May 12th 2013 at approx 5 pm at the OK Falls Hotel, 1045 Main Street (Hwy 97), OK Falls, BC V0M 1R0.

Grand Prizes:  There will be no cash alternative to this grand prize.  Winner is responsible for the cost of prize delivery and consent to release of their name by licensee.  Additional consent to release for a photograph of winners for display on website may be requested.

Claiming Your Prize:  Your presence is not required at the draw, if your ticket number is selected, a representative will make every effort possible to contact you as soon as possible and within 10 days, to notify you of your win.  Proof of Ticket, identification and personal information is required to claim these prizes.  Winners are responsible for the cost of prize delivery and consent to release of their name by licensee.  Photograph/name of winner may be displayed on Okanagan International Children’s Festival website, accepting the prize is authorization.

Date & Location for the Publication of Winner’s Name: Okanagan International Children’s Festival website May 14th 2013.

Winner will be phoned/emailed on notification Monday after the draw.

In this transition year, the festival says a fond farewell to Conrad Burek and welcomes our new Executive Director, Vicky Jones, who joins us with extensive experience in arts and cultural event planning, promotion and fundraising.

Performers who want the chance to perform at the 2014 festival should continue to contact us throughout 2013 as we begin planning for next year.

The festival encourages everyone to continue their support during this hiatus year through letters, e-mails, blogs, tweets, sponsorship and donations.

Our goal is to ensure that the 2014 festival will return strengthened and be as good as or better than in the past.

We are excited for our future, so SAVE THE DATE

for the Okanagan International Children’s Festival’s return

May 22^nd-24^th 2014!