Fireworks and other events for Canada Day weekend in Kelowna, RCMP adding extra officers

It’s expected to be a busy Canada long weekend in Kelowna, and RCMP say they are prepared for the influx of visitors.

Mounties say the public will see an increased front-line police presence with additional officers assisting from various detachments around B.C.

“Its all hands-on deck,” Cpl. Michael Gauthier, media relations officer, said. “Our officers will be seen patrolling on foot and bikes downtown Kelowna, City Park, the rail trail and several parks in the Rutland neighbourhood.”

Gauthier said policing numbers will be bolstered with specialized units from the Lower Mainland and additional BC Highway Patrol officers.

City streets and highways are expected to be much busier than normal.

The Kelowna RCMP Municipal Traffic Unit will be working shifts to focus on dangerous and impaired driving.

“Our goal is to have everyone get to Kelowna, enjoy themselves and head home safely with zero road fatalities or injuries,” Sgt. Colby Attlesey of the Traffic Unit, said. “We ask motorists to slow down and make the smart choice by planning a safe ride home if they have been drinking alcohol or using any impairing substance.”

The fireworks display on Canada Day is expected to attract a large crowd to the waterfront.

The show will start at 10 p.m. on Monday, July 1 from Okanagan Lake on the Shoreline Pile Driving barge

For more on the Canada Day events in Waterfront Park, visit the Festivals Kelowna website.

Canada Day activities in West Kelowna will be held in Memorial Park next to the Johnson Bentley Aquatic Centre.

Events go from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include a Show & Shine, food trucks, music from Rollin Coal and Gold Mynd, and the cake cutting at 3 p.m.

After that, organizers will get ready for the bigger Westside Daze July 12-14, which is scheduled to include a drone show instead of fireworks.