Spring in Penticton, BC

Spring means the return of sunny weather and that means seniors will be spending more time outdoors for fresh air and exploring. Frequent field trips provide increased opportunities to visit with old friends and make new ones at various local parks in Spring bloom and community activities. It is important for seniors to keep physically fit and social. It allows them to communicate more often for positive mental and emotional health. Attending local Spring events gives seniors topics to discuss with friends and family and encourages them to invite loved ones to join them from time to time. It also connects them to hobbies and activities they may once have enjoyed but not participated in for a while.

So, what is there to do in Penticton, BC this time of year? Plenty! Read on to find out what interests you and then invite a friend to join you in a new adventure or share a favorite pastime!

Looking for a good book to read? The Rotary book sale takes place at the Penticton curling rink April 17th to 23rd. Drop by any time between 10am to 6pm and have a look. There are books for every generation and every genre. Support a great cause and start your summer literacy journey with a stack of books!

It has been 68 years since Penticton officially became a city and it has been an incorporated municipality for 108 years. So any way you slice it, a party is in order! Everyone is welcome to celebrate Penticton’s Birthday party, stop by Gyro Park on April 16th between 10am and 1pm for the Downtown Penticton Association and South Okanagan Volunteer Centre volunteer appreciation FREE BBQ and stay to enjoy the 3rd annual multicultural One World Festival celebration from 2pm to 5pm.

Sunday, April 17, 2016, the Rotary Club of Penticton is having their annual Pioneer Tea. This tradition was started in 1946 and is in celebration of the long-term residents who call Penticton home. The Pioneer Tea takes place at the Seniors’ Drop-In Centre at 2965 S. Main Street.

While you are visiting the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-In Centre, you can take advantage of a REDUCED SPRING RATE of 50% OFF membership fees between April 1 and July 31, 2016. For a $10 membership, you can participate in all the fun activities and interesting events that occur at the centre, 7 days a week. Foodies will love the Coffee social, luncheons and dinner & dance functions, band performances and musical guests. Senior fitness fans enjoy healthy exercise with Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Medical Qi Gong, Dance classes for all levels, Square Dancing and Carpet Bowling. They also have sports teams for Bocce, Horseshoes and Pickleball.

For those who prefer to take it easy and relax but still stay involved and connected, the Seniors’ Drop-In Centre has seated games and activities like Scrabble, Spanish Class, Bridge & Cribbage, Bingo, Arts & Crafts, Ukulele classes and sing-a-longs, Quilting, Knitting and Crocheting as well as Computer classes and Mah Jong. The Club is also involved in many community events including a Blood Drive with daily dates starting this Spring on April 18th and lasting all summer. If you prefer to participate by donating time, they are also looking for volunteers for this event.

The Alzheimer Society invites those interested in attending at support group meeting for caregivers and family members of those living with the disease or dementia to meet at 7pm on Monday April 18th at the BC Resource Centre at #101 – 35 Backstreet Blvd in Penticton. They are also hosting the Walk for Alzheimer’s on Sunday May 1, 2016 with registration at 1pm and the walk happening 2pm to 3p at Rotary Centennial Pavilion at Skaha Lake Park.

The Daffodil Dash yellow ribbon drops this Spring at 10am at Gyro Park. The annual Walk/Run is in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Come and cheer on the teams of all ages and enjoy the event entertainment of music and BBQ by Donation from 11am to 12:30pm.

Love Blues, Rock and Gospel music? Don’t miss The Dream Music Festival May 13-14 at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre. This year the Master of Ceremonies is Jim Byrnes, blues musician, guitarist and actor best known for his role in the TV and Movie Productions of Highlander.