Folkfest History
Kelowna Folkfest has become a cherished tradition of Kelowna's Canada Day celebrations. Initially part of a broader provincial initiative, Kelowna Folkfest has thrived for over 50 years.
History of Kelowna Folkfest
Ben Lee, who served 23 years as a Kelowna city councillor, founded the Kelowna Multicultural Society and the Kelowna Folkfest. Folkfest, an event he was immensely proud of, continues today as one of the staples of Kelowna's Canada Day celebrations.
In 1973, Ben Lee was asked by the Provincial Multicultural Society to organize a Folkfest for the following year.
In 1974, the first Kelowna Folkfest came together with six performing groups and food booths. This event took place at the Jubilee Bowl in City Park. Okanagan Hungarian Society, Sons of Norway - Hardanger Lodge #109, Kelowna Liedertafel Society, Ukrainian Catholic Organization, Kelowna Japanese Canadian Community Group and Kelowna Canadian Italian Club were founding groups
On July 1, 1977, a rainy day, Ben Lee decided to relocate the Folkfest to Memorial Arena downtown. The chairs were still set up and moved into the arena within an hour.
In 2001, Folkfest moved to Prospera Place, then called Skyreach Place.
At the height of its popularity, the Provincial Folkfest was held in 14 different communities around BC. Now, after 50 years of operation, several remain, including those in North Vancouver, Kamloops, and Kelowna.
