There are 31 days in August, and that is a good thing as there is so much going on. Even with 31 days to fill, many events spill over into September. It is just not possible to get to them all, so we need to plan our month carefully.
August is always the month when the city of Penticton really shines. With all the events depending on all the volunteers, local folks must have an informal understanding that no one takes their holidays at that time; there is simply too much to do and see.

This year marks the 62st anniversary of the Penticton Peach Fest and it is bigger and better than ever. This year's grand parade on Saturday morning will offer over 100 entrants, including marching bands and gorgeous floats, clowns, drill teams and more. Penticton's Grand Parade is now one of BC's largest and most popular, with over 15,000 spectators lining the route each year. If you plan to go, get there early and bring a lawn chair. Sunday is Kiddies Day, and the younger ones get their own parade down Main Street, followed by a day of special events in the park.

Being Penticton, where Line Dancing is a way of life, there will be dancers everywhere entertaining and competing. The square dancers are busy everyday, but this year will also highlight Ukrainian dancers along with Polish and Irish dance enthusiasts. There is daily entertainment in the park, with too many acts to list here, but a complete Festival plan is on their website: www.peachfest.com.

No sooner has the dust settled than another 4,500 volunteers step up to prepare for, and run, the Ironman. This will be the 26th anniversary of this Canadian Ironman international event, so there is even more going on than usual! If you have never attended one of these amazing events, make this your year to watch and cheer as these athletes of all ages, arriving from all over the world, complete a 2.4 mile swim, then a 112 mile bike ride through the mountains, followed by a 26.2 mile run. The vast majority of entrants are just there to test themselves, so the last folks over the finish line come in around 10 pm, and to the credit of Penticton, the sidewalks will still be lined with people cheering and clapping as the weary souls make their way to the finish line. It is one of those rate events when everyone is a winner!

If music is more to your liking then August has a lot to offer. We can suggest starting with the Grizfest at Tumbler Ridge followed by the Jazz Fest at Kaslo. The Vancouver Jazz Fest runs from the 14-21, then we move on to the amazing Salmon Arm Roots & Blues. This year promises over 60 acts on 7 stages! No sleep in Salmon Arm while that is happening, but what an array of talent.

For those who prefer smaller venues we can suggest the Country Jamboree at Clinton, the Bluegrass Fest at Sorrento or Enderby's lovely series of 'Music by the River', which finishes the season with an evening of Celtic and Bluegrass.

As we make our weary way to the end of August the Fall Fairs begin, with all the baked goods, jams & jellies, fudge…. yes, and entertainment, animals, midways and music as well. This year's PNE runs from Aug 19 to Sept 4, while the 109th Annual Armstrong Fall Fair (now called the IPE) is on from Aug 29-Sept 2. This year's theme is 'Horsepower', which means even more great riding, dressage, rodeo and draft horse events than usual.

For history fans Barkerville Historic Town is the place to be. It is now 145 years since Billy Barker found gold there, but the town is aging well! There are now over 100 restored buildings with displays as well as daily live entertainment in the Theatre Royal.

If your travel plans take you south, then drop in on Fort Steele, which has been restored to show the homes, shops and crafts of the 1890's. Once an NWMP fort, named in honour of Sam Steele, the fort now offers wagon rides, steam train rides, live music hall entertainment, silent films and gold panning. Their agricultural displays of antique machinery and crafts are always fascinating for the younger folks, as they enjoy their homemade ice cream.

Equally fascinating to youngsters of all ages are the classic cars, and the month offers a selection of 'Show & Shines' in Keremeos, Vernon, Penticton and Fort St John among other places.

This is also the year for the 46th Annual Abbotsford Air show - I warned you it would not be possible to do everything!

If, however, this is your month to just relax and watch the world go by, then do try to drop in to your local Farmers' Market, stock up on a selection of our best fresh fruit, and curl up in a shady spot with a good book. Sometimes the simple things can be the best.