PHOTOS: Penticton packs Gyro Park to celebrate Canada Day

PHOTOS: Penticton packs Gyro Park to celebrate Canada Day

Published 2:57 pm Wednesday, July 1, 2026

A couple dances to the Dave Barber Trio during Canada Day 2026 festivities at Gyro Park in Penticton on July 1. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

The Dirt Road Kings rock Penticton’s Gyro Park on July 1, 2026, during Canada Day festivities. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay MP Helena Konanz speaks at a Canada Day ceremony at Gyro Park in Penticton on July 1, 2026. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

The Dave Barber Trio opens festivities at Gyro Park in Penticton for Canada Day 2026. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

An attendee of Canada Day festivities at Gyro Park on July 1, 2026, receives Canada Day-themed cupcakes. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Penticton musician Ari Neufeld sings the Canadian national anthem on July 1, 2026, at Gyro Park in Penticton. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Bagpipes were front and centre at the opening ceremony of Penticton’s Canada Day celebration inside Gyro Park on July 1, 2026. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

The Dave Barber Trio at Gyro Park for Canada Day festivities in Penticton on July 1, 2026. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Penticton Coun. and Deputy Mayor Jason Reynen speaks at a Canada Day ceremony inside Gyro Park on July 1, 2026. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

The Canada 2026 opening ceremony at Gyro Park in Penticton on July 1. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel speaks at a Canada Day ceremony on July 1, 2026, inside Gyro Park. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

The Dirt Road Kings perform at Gyro Park for Canada Day 2026 in Penticton. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Large crowds packed Gyro Park in Penticton on Wednesday, July 1, in celebration of Canada’s 159th birthday.

Blues rockers The Dave Barber Trio kicked off festivities before local dignitaries took the stage for an opening ceremony.

“We live in the most wonderful country in the world and today, we are reminded of that,” said Helena Konanz, MP for Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay.

The event ran from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and featured a petting zoo, food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and a kids’ zone. Attendees also received free Canada-themed cupcakes after the opening ceremony.

Festivities were organized and hosted by the Downtown Penticton Business Improvement Association and the City of Penticton.

“If you look around, you can actually see why we call this land our forever place,” Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel said. “The beauty of the landscape that we all enjoy and live on each and every day. Nowhere else would you find a beautiful city situated between two beautiful lakes.”

The holiday gathering precedes fireworks above Okanagan Lake Park on Wednesday night.

Hosted by the Penticton Lakeside Resort and made possible through sponsorships from local businesses, the show starts at 10 p.m.

”Canada Day is an opportunity to celebrate our shared history, appreciate the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy, and recognize the many contributions of Canada, a welcoming and vibrant place to live,” said Coun. Jason Reynen, serving as deputy mayor.