Kelowna Wakefest Cancelled - What is the Best New Location?

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

Wakefest banned in Kelowna
Kelowna's annual summer event 'Wakefest' which attracts thousands of tourists to the city every year has been banned for the next year. RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) believes that Wakefest attracts negative elements to the town and people visit the city not for the sporting event but to drink and party.

Many Kelowna residents and youngsters are disappointed by this news. They are complaining that Kelowna will become just another sleepy little community for the old people. Some businessmen are upset as they think they will lose a lot of business but according to the Mayor Sharon Shepherd:

The economic benefits of Wakefest don't justify the expense of bringing in a riot squad to control it.
Although the Wakefest has been cancelled for 2008 but it might be hosted by Kelowna in 2009. However, Wakefest sponsors are not happy with Kelowna's response and have started their search for another city to host this festival.

I guess since it won't be in Kelowna they are looking for a new location. My vote is for Vancouver. Host it in False Creek near the Telus Science Centre where the Indy race used to be held. Plaza of Nations BC Place Stadium for displays. It would be awesome.

JeffR · Addict Joined: 07 Apr 2006 Posts: 608 City: Victoria, BC

bugup, I have been hearing rumours that they are looking to Penticton, and Kamloops as possible sites for Wakefest next year, I wonder if QNev has heard anything?

bugup · Criminal Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 80 City: Vancouver

I guess those sites would be okay, however, the fact that it would be in downtown Vancouver I believe would bring huge crowds and lots of corporate support.
Wink

Ocean Rider · Wakeboarder.Commie Joined: 24 Jun 2003 Posts: 1597

bugup, ok yes False Creek is cute but have you ever RODE there before?... Well I have, and I'm tell you right now not only is it a terrible location because of water conditions but also that the water is polluted to the extreme... Nationals was held there 4 years ago and not only did ever rider come out of the event hating it but many came down pretty sick including myself... That water was twice over the max in fecal matter that is safe for swimmers... I came out with a brutal infected throat and had some nasty rash on my arm/shoulder... False Creek is also not designed to be wakeboarded in, the only place where a proper event could take place is surrounded by flat cement walls that deflect the wake right back into your line... the water is almost as bad as wakefest was...

Wakefest will probably be in Alberta next summer at the lake where canada nationals was held two/three years ago... from what I have heard...

Craig-R · Guest

thats an unbelievable panoramic

pilot_ryder · Posted: Nov 15, 2007 9:33 am Post subject:

They are also looking into Edmonton as a venue.

pilot_ryder · Posted: Nov 15, 2007 9:36 am Post subject:

Oops! just saw ocean riders post, he is bang on, they want it at Shalom Park but are having some trouble with available dates.

absolutofft · Outlaw Joined: 12 Oct 2003 Posts: 162 City: Langley

I am really disappointed at the decision to cancel wakefest in Kelowna for 2008. Although after attending the 2007 event I can't say I'm surprised. There were quite a lot of juicers present who turned up just to get into a fight and on several occasions they found them.

They added an extra beer garden next to the concert venue which was clearly a bad idea. Was the decision made to cancel based upon what happened there in 2007 or has this decision been coming down the pipeline for a while?

kdip · Posted: Feb 25, 2008 8:12 am Post subject:

One of my frends got jumped last year at Wakefest. I didn't get to see last years, but I was planning on going this year. Guess not.

ZIRB3L · Criminal Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 75 City: South Holland

i would say somhwere south of chicago.... but thats just becouse it would be easy for me to attend Very Happy