With thousands of people expected along the Okanagan Lake waterfront during Peach Festival, the City of Penticton is encouraging residents and visitors to leave their vehicles at home whenever possible and take transit, walk or cycle to events.
Those driving downtown between August 5-9 should plan ahead, expect delays and watch for increased pedestrian traffic, road closures and temporary parking restrictions. Drivers should be particularly aware of extensive road closures on Saturday, August 8, for the Bannister Penticton Peach N Beach Parade and downtown markets.
Featuring free family activities, live entertainment and concerts throughout the five-day festival, most events will take place at Okanagan Lake Park, with additional activities at Skaha Lake Park, Gyro Park and Rotary Park. For a full schedule of events, visit peachfest.com.
How to get around
Take transit
Skip the parking search and downtown traffic by taking BC Transit. To support festival travel, the City has enhanced transit service, with Route 5 operating every 30 minutes during daytime hours (until 6:40 p.m.) from August 5-8, with an hourly service running on Sunday, August 9.
A temporary Peach Festival bus stop will be located on Veterans Way near Lakeshore Drive for southbound riders leaving festival grounds. The last bus departs at 11:42 p.m.
Park-and-ride options are available at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre (the lot north lot of Warren Avenue) or the Seniors’ Drop-in Centre, with maps available to view at penticton.ca/peach-fest.
Transit fares are $2.25 one-way, and children aged 12 and under always ride free. Learn more at bctransit.com.
Free bike valet
Cyclists can take advantage of the City's free bike valet service, operated by the Sustainability team. The service will be available throughout the festival from August 5-9, between 11:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Driving
Those choosing to drive should expect parking congestion and temporary road closures during major events. To make pay parking easier, download the Passport Parking Canada app before arriving. More information about parking options is available at penticton.ca/parking.
Road closures
A section of Lakeshore Drive next to Okanagan Lake Park (between Veterans Way and Front Street) will be closed from August 4 -7 to accommodate the Mega Motocross show that will take place August 5-7.
Saturday, August 8
Drivers should expect significant traffic impacts throughout downtown due to the Bannister Penticton Peach N Beach Parade, the Penticton Farmers' Market and the Penticton Community Market.
The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Penticton Secondary School and travels through downtown before ending at the SS Sicamous. Street parking will not be permitted along the parade route during closures. Follow posted signage and allow extra travel time.
Sunday, August 9
A section of Main Street, from Nanaimo Avenue West to the north side of Lakeshore Drive, will be closed from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for the Minuteman Press Kiddies Day Parade. The parade begins at 11:30 a.m.
Where to find out more
For the full schedule of events, visit peachfest.com.
For transit information, visit bctransit.com.