Colleen Matchett, sponsorship coordinator of Rock the Peach, promises a great Rock the Peach festival.

With its range of artists, village of vendors and activities for all ages, Rock the Peach Music Festival is a self-contained getaway, and it takes hold of Penticton this Friday.
The three-day festival has been generating local buzz all summer, and its warm reception in Penticton so far promises a spectacle for now and years to come.
“Penticton’s the ideal holiday destination, just the sort of market where people could really enjoy live music,” said Colleen Matchett, sponsorship coordinator of Rock the Peach.
The festival has also attracted interested from afar. Matchett has heard of confirmed festival-goers from as far east as Toronto and as south as Austin, Texas, but she knows that there will be people from overseas as well.
The artists who will take the stage at Kings Park is equally diverse. From hometown favourites to international superstars, the entire spectrum is covered.
“Our focus is classic rock, but we also like to mix it up,” said Matchett. This year’s headliners include Juno Award-winning Sam Roberts Band, 90s rock stalwarts Collective Soul, and country titan Ronnie Dunn.
The latter, of the massively successful group Brooks and Dunn, has sold over 30 million worldwide and was recently nominated for Nashville Songwriter of the Year Award.
“There a lot of country fans here,” Matchell said of the buzz surrounding the event.
Despite the attention on Rock the Peach’s headliners, Matchett believes that acts lower on the marquee will catch audiences off guard.
“People are going to be introduced to artists that they’ve never even heard of before,” Matchett said. Particularly, local artists Redfish and Andrew Allen are poised to wow the crowd, as well as late addition Jets Overhead.
Rock the Peach will also be host to a bevy of different activities and services. Fringe entertainment will include jugglers, break-dancers, global DJs, famed Elvis Presley tribute artist Adam Fitzpatrick and Elmo the Chicken. The two on-site beer gardens offer cold beverages and pizza. Forty different vendors will showcase their wares in Vendor Village, a folksy marketplace to find food and crafts. Fuzzy Peach Tree children’s area is an oasis of games, activities and performances just for children.
“We want Rock the Peach to be a fun, family environment. It’s going to be a place for all ages,” said Matchett.
Attendance is expected to hover around 4,000 people per day, and ticket sales are meeting expectations. There are already plans to make Rock the Peach an annual event and potentially one of Penticton’s premier summer events.
“Our local support has told us that Penticton needs an event like Rock the Peach every year,” said Matchett. “A great event to plan a vacation on.”
The music festival is primed to be Penticton’s most anticipated event. While preparations are underway, Matchett invites everyone to experience Rock the Peach firsthand.
“The weather’s promising to be nice and sunny. There’s going to be a friendly environment, tons of activities and, most importantly, amazing music.”
Rock the Peach takes place July 27-29 at Kings Park. Tickets are available at the Penticton Wine and Information Centre, Government Street Liquor Store or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets can also be purchased online at rockthepeach.ca or at the Festival Box Office (550 Eckhardt) on all three days.

SCHEDULE
Friday
Malibu Knights, 4:30 p.m.
The Steadies, 6:15 p.m.
Jets Overhead, 8 p.m.
Collective Soul, 9:45 p.m.

Saturday
Good for Grapes, 1:40 p.m.
Andrew Allen, 2:50 p.m.
Ridley Bent, 4 p.m.
Three Dog Night, 5:30 p.m.
War, 7:25 p.m.
Sam Roberts Band, 9:25 p.m.

Sunday
Free City Collective, 1:40 p.m.
Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, 2:50 p.m.
Walk off the Earth, 4 p.m.
Glass Tiger, 5:30 p.m.
Jesse Cook, 7:25 p.m.
Ronnie Dunn, 9:25 p.m.