We have such a variety of artistic talents coming to our Art Party. Be sure to join in this event.

Oliver Community Light Up & Fireworks Celebration!

Date: Friday, November 29, 2024 Time: 4:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Locations: Triangle Park, Town Hall, Main Street, Oliver Visitor Centre & Lions Park

Join the Town of Oliver, Chamber of Commerce, Oliver and District Recreation, Oliver Tourism Association, and the Oliver Light Up Committee for our annual Light Up celebration! This cherished community event is brimming with holiday cheer, family-friendly activities, and unforgettable festive moments.

Festivities Kick-Off at 4:00 PM

• Re-Discover Downtown Oliver: Stroll through downtown as Highway 97 closes to vehicle traffic, creating a safe and inviting pedestrian zone to explore. Enjoy holiday specials, visit local businesses, and soak up the festive spirit.
• Unique Wreath Competition: Head over to YWAM Global Gateway to see creative wreath displays and cast your vote for your favourite!
• Street Food & Vendors: Wonder Main St and delight in market vendors, food trucks, and street food offerings to satisfy every craving.

Light-Up Ceremony Schedule

• 6:00 PM: Welcome Santa as he arrives downtown!
• 6:15 PM: Enjoy a heartwarming performance by the OES Choir.
• 6:30 PM: Join the official countdown and witness the grand light-up ceremony at Town Hall.

Continue the Festivities!

6:30pm – 8.30pm

Lions Park:

• Light Tunnel: Walk through the enchanting light tunnel
• Community Bonfire: Warm up at the bonfire supported by the Oliver Fire Department

Oliver Visitor Centre:

• Artisan & Vendor Market: Shop for unique gifts from 20+ local artisans along with local business offering special one-day deals.
• Beverage Garden & Food Trucks: Unwind in the beverage garden and savour delicious bites from a variety of food trucks.
• 10+ Food & Bev Vendors include:
• Oliver Eats – Cheese Fondue
• Oliver Osoyoos Wine Association – Mulled Wine
• Firehall Brewery
• Laws of Attraction
• The Beast BBQ and Smoke Shack
• ZIZI Persian Food
• More details to come!!
• Christmas Children’s Hamper Silent Auction: stop by the Oliver Visitor Centre to participate in a silent auction benefiting the Christmas Children’s Hamper.

• Visit Oliver Exclusive Merchandise: Sweatshirts, festival tees, festival glassware and more! Special one day pricing with a portion of sales being donated to Oliver Food Bank

• Hot Chocolate by Donation: Enjoy a cozy cup of hot chocolate, with donations supporting a great cause.

• Festive Music: Dance to holiday tunes spun by DJ Shakes.
• Warming Station: Stay cozy with a warming station provided by Sunbelt Rentals.

• Fireworks: Conclude the evening with a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the night sky!

Fireworks Display at 8:00 PM

Community Giving:

Please consider bringing donations to support the local Oliver Food Bank and the Christmas Children’s Hamper. Every contribution helps spread holiday joy to those in need. These can be dropped off at the Oliver Visitor Centre starting at 10am on Friday Nov 29^th.

More Holiday Fun on Saturday, November 30!

• Breakfast with Santa
• Library Story Time
• Family Movie Screening

Gather your loved ones and experience the magic, warmth, and joy of the holiday season in Oliver! This is a community celebration you won’t want to miss!

“It’s a ‘new and blue’ theme this summer, after last year’s ‘tried and true’ lineup,” says organizer Penelope Johnson of Oliver’s Music in the Park. “We’re thrilled that half of this summer’s bands are new to our stage, and a few will be including some blues and bluegrass in the mix.” Of course, concerts will pump out the rock and pop classics, with big band and world music as well.

Music in the Park run 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at the Oliver Community Bandshell, admission by donation, with $5 a suggested minimum. An   inclement weather venue is in the community hall next door. All shows have food truck service. Audiences are invited to bring a chair and some shades to enjoy the concerts.

Award-winning rock band Moving Lines (pictured below) has been described as “hyper-intense”, with powerhouse vocals from Jill Fai and meaty guitar licks from Kevin Fai. Backed up with bass and drums, Moving Lines opens the season on July 4 with an energetic show.

UPDATE #1 Crowd pleasers REBEL LUV take the stage on Thursday July 11, replacing blues-rock super group, Yard Katz, due to a sudden medical emergency. Duo Mikie and Ken mix it up with rock, country and pop tunes. Always dedicated pros, we expect a great couple of sets from these two seasoned rockers!

Big bands are always popular at Music in the Park. On July 18, the South Okanagan Big Band takes the stage, with jazz standards from the 40s plus a variety of pop hits. Their date includes a food drive for the Oliver Food Bank, with non-perishable items collected that evening. 

Ranging from mellow country and bluegrass to manic rock, The Melomaniacs (pictured below) as their name suggests, cover the gamut of popular music. The guitar-playing duo adds in wailing harp, stomp box and snappy banjo rolls for a full eclectic sound on July 25. 

On August 1, the crowd-pleasing Rollin’ Coal trio returns for a mix of Latin and pop classics, lead by remarkable vocalist Sue Ruuska and backed by stand-up bass, sax and guitar. “Sue’s a ‘unicorn’,” explains Johnson, “her unique voice ranges from rich alto to clear mezzo, and she always packs an emotional punch.”

UPDATE #2 Returning for a third year in a row on August 8 are the magnificent Blueshounds. These gents play boogie blues with Gerry Pearson’s harmonica and vocals front and centre. Expect great guitar licks from Lefty Stewart. We’re also super excited to see Rob Robertson and Cliffe Fraser in the band this year — previously of Rob ‘n’ Walker. The Blueshounds replace Synergy after they had to bow out this season.

The summer closes with two familiar favourites. 13 Broken Bones (pictured above) rocks the park on August 15. Gutsy vocalist Jacquie Demoskoff powers over the guitars, keyboards and drums to deliver hits from the ladies of rock. Closing out the summer with a bang on August 22, Nankama Drum and Dance bring West African rhythms to the stage. A mix of beats, stories, and dancing gives way in the second half to an interactive drumming circle. Families with children particularly enjoy this concert.

Every concert provides picnic fare. Pit Stop Smokery shares its smoky goodness on July 4, 18, August 8 and 22. Law of Attraction serves upscale tacos, paninis, and poutine on remaining nights. EnRoute Espresso & Tea brings a truckload of iced and hot beverages plus snacks and treats. An arts council market will promote the activities and wares of its members at many of the concerts.

Music in the Park is a program of the Oliver Community Arts Council.

CANCELLED: The Fall Art Show and Sale 2024 has been cancelled for a variety of reasons. Please stay tuned for another art show in the future!

CANCELLED: The Fall Art Show and Sale 2024 has been cancelled for a variety of reasons. Please stay tuned for another art show in the future!

The Oliver Community Arts Council announces its Fall Art Show and Sale (FASS) on Saturday September 21 and Sunday September 22, 2024. The theme is ELEMENTS. The event runs concurrently with the Wine Capital Weekend dates on the third weekend of September, new as of last year. Our two-day event includes a competition in nine categories, public voting, exhibits and demos by featured artists, live entertainment, reception, and draws for wine-themed prizes. Please spread the word to artists you know! 

Visual artists in all media and of all ages are encouraged to enter.  

Categories include Photography, Fibre Arts, Oils, Acrylics, Watercolours, Three-Dimensional, and Mixed/Other Media. Youth categories (Emerging Artists and Budding Artists) accept any visual medium. 

Awards are given in each category, as well as an overall “Best in Show”.

THEME: Elements Every other year we select a theme to inspire you! You may choose to follow the theme, but it is not required. The public votes for winners in each category regardless of theme. Only the overall Best in Show is awarded to “Best Interpretation of the Theme”. Need some inspiration? Contact OliverCAC@gmail.com for many suggestions on how to incorporate the theme in your medium, your technique, your subject matter or even in expressing your artistic personality. There are so many possibilities! You may already have ready-made art that fits the theme. But if not, submit anyway! 

Entry forms must be received by Sunday September 1, 2024. Early bird draw! Submit your form and fee before that date for a chance to win back your entry fee OR enter a second piece for free.

Youth category entries receive an extension of one week: Sunday September 8, 2023  to because back-to-school schedules can be a challenge! Contact us if you need assistance. 

Artwork need not be completed by the entry form submission date. Completed artwork is delivered to the venue on the morning of the show, Saturday September 21. This gives artists up to three extra weeks to complete their piece(s).

We have NEW and IMPROVED forms for the FASS! Go to our Entry Form page HERE and scroll down to “Fall Art Show and Sale” for the Entry Form, the Terms and Guidelines with Category definitions, plus an Artist FAQ and other helpful material.

Membership in the Oliver Community Arts Council is not required but does reduce the entry fee for Adult submissions. The Emerging Artist (teen) submission is $10. For Budding Artists (12 and under) the fee is waived but numbers may be limited. NEW memberships received as part of your FASS entry will be activated at time of submission AND will also be good through all of 2025. Just a little incentive for newcomers. If you are uncertain of your current membership status, please contact us.   

Hard copies of the entry forms will be available at the Quail’s Nest Arts Centre, and at the Oliver Visitors Information Centre (historic CPR Station). 

Entry forms may be returned by: 1.  MAIL, with your entry fee (and membership if applicable). 2.  IN PERSON by dropping off paperwork in a sealed envelope with CHEQUE(s) at the Oliver Visitor Centre. 3.  SCAN & EMAIL with E-TRANSFER to OliverCAC@gmail.com . E-Transfers must include the memo “FASS Entry Fee” (and “Membership 2024” if applicable). Please send BOTH on the SAME day.   

Oliver’s art community opens its doors wide to welcome the public to an open house celebration. The bay doors roll up at Oliver’s Quail’s Nest Arts Centre for their spring open house on Sunday May 19th between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors will find art exhibits, demonstrations, and sales of handicraft. Adding to the festive atmosphere will be live music, hot food, children’s art activities, and door prizes. Admission is free.

Information booths will introduce visitors to many local artists, upcoming arts events, and ways to become active in the arts community. The Double O Quilters and Desert Sage Spinners and Weavers display their fibre arts talents. The Sage Valley Voices hosts a bake sale to raise funds for their community choir and attract new singers. The Oliver Sagebrushers exhibit their latest paintings. Kreutopia Arts demonstrates and sells vibrant wax paintings.

SOAP Theatre invites the public into Big Blue: their rehearsal space, costume warehouse and set building workshop. Visit in the morning for a tour, or drop in between 1-3 p.m. during SOAP’s open auditions for their fall production, The Play that Goes Wrong. Theatre buffs can listen in on the audition process, or try out for a role. The slapstick “play-within-a-play” follows the hilarious misadventures of a hapless troupe of actors who lurch from one onstage disaster to another.  Stage shy? SOAP also welcomes newcomers to their backstage crew.

During the middle of the day, folk-rock duo Badgentina (aka Stephen and Lisa Toon) cover classics from the 70s and 80s from Neil Young to Sting, and may surprise the audience with some original “toons”.

A large marquee provides the perfect location to rock out to the music, eat a tasty meal from Bo Betty’s food truck, or indulge in a little crafting. Children’s activities include quail-themed craft projects, colouring pages, and some quirky quail dress-up opportunities at the photo booth. Big “kids” are welcome to dress up too.

The arts council will be promoting their upcoming programs and events. Learn more about the summer Music in the Park, the Fall Art Show and Sale, and CreateAbility. Handbills, entry forms, and memberships will be available. Enter the draw for door prizes. Those interested in renting the arts centre can tour the site’s amenities and view a large-screen slideshow of past activities.

All artists are members of the Oliver Community Arts Council, the organizers behind this colourful event. The arts council will promote their own programs and events, including CreateAbility, Music in the Park, and the Fall Art Show and Sale. Handbills, entry forms, and memberships will be available. Door prizes include home decor, handicrafts, and accessories.

The Quail’s Nest Open House welcomes the public to see what art is hatching at 5840 Airport Street, Oliver. Follow the signs for public parking on the north side of Big Blue. For more information, visit OliverArtsCouncil.org. 

The call has gone out for volunteers to make the Fall Art Show & Sale a success from September 22-24. Yes it’s EARLY this year, and time is flying! Please lend a hand wherever you can. Email OliverCAC@gmail.com

Last year we had terrific crews, so generous and helpful, and really made the show a success! You may be on this mailing list because you were so great in a previous year! 🙂 Please tap a friend or colleague to join you, or ask your art groups, even adult children!  Sometimes it’s fun to share a shift with someone you know. All the shifts are fun, simple, and suit different personalities. 

SHY? FIRST TIME? Invite a friend or family member to share your shift. We email written guidelines in advance. No one works alone or unsupervised. Take a quiet shift like reception or balloting. 
SOCIABLE? Join one of the teams like setup or display or be a greeter. There’s a real sense of accomplishment and pride. We strive to keep things fun and friendly.
NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: You do not have to be an artist. We team up new people with someone more experienced.
SHIFTS: Most shifts are 3 hours. Many people sign up for more than one, to sample a few different aspects of the event on different days.  
NOTE: Sunday volunteers receive a free entrance to the Festival of the Grape.

FRIDAY September 22  (6:00 – 9:00 p.m. or earlier): Min 8 people
SET UP CREW: Loading and SetUp: Load up, transport, unload, and set out display materials: grids, plinths, tablecloths, decorations …. . We should have a big trailer pre-loaded (fingers crossed!). Nothing  heavy. Light decor jobs too: setting tables, hanging grid cloths. Often done by 8:00 p.m.

SATURDAY  September 23:  ART INTAKE & DISPLAY  Min. 12 – 15 people  
Art Intake & Movers (8:00 – 10:00 a.m.): Help move incoming artwork to category areas in hall. This is easy!!  
Display Team (10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.): Oooh! This is fun! Arrange artwork around the hall. Work in pairs. Make the place beautiful! A good eye for colour and arranging helps.
You can stay for both if you like!  Bring a bag lunch. Often finished by 1:00 p.m. 

SATURDAY September 23:  ART SHOW teams (3 – 6 p.m. and / or 6 – 9 p.m.) 
Lobby Greeters: greet visitors, promote wine fridge draw, sell draw tickets, accept entry donations

Art Show Greeters: Greet visitors, offer art catalogue and ballot, accept completed ballots

Ballotters: tally votes for art show winners. (5:30 – 8:30 p.m.) Quiet and easy. Lots of time to tour the display between counting ballots! Artists welcome but you will not count your own category. 

Art Show Helpers: stroll the exhibit, chat, answer questions, give directions, keep art secure, help sell art.  Great opportunity for artists to mingle with admirers!
Reception: lay out desserts, fruit, make punch. (1 – 3 people, approx 6 – 9 p.m.) 

Information / Sales Table: hand out art information, sell memberships (co-ordinate with art sales person)

SUNDAY September 24:  ART SHOW teams (12:00 – 3:00 p.m. and / or 2:30 – 5:30 p.m.) 
Lobby Greeters: raffle off a wine fridge, take entry donations

Art Show Helpers: stroll the exhibit, chat, answer questions, give directions, keep art secure, help sell art 

Information / Sales Table: hand out art information, sell memberships (co-ordinate with art sales person)  

SUNDAY September 24:ART RETURN / CLEANUP
Art Return (4:30 –  6 p.m.)  Secure all doors, usher out visitors. Return artwork to artists.
Cleanup Crew  (4:30 – 7:30 p.m.) Dismantle grids, fold linens, sort and pack up supplies. Goes pretty quickly if we have a big crew!

PERK ALERT: Often the same people who set up like to clean up as well. This gives Friday people a chance to enter the Festival of the Grape on Sunday before their shift! Just have fun in moderation please. 

This is a HUGE event, needing many helpers to make it successful. Please lend us a hand! It is well worth the effort with pride in a job well done. Email OliverCAC@gmail.com