WATCH: With no regatta, what should Kelowna’s signature event be?

A fire tearing through the Aquatic in 1969 and back-to-back riots in 1986 and ‘87 signaled the end of the Kelowna Regatta.

Ever since, the city has lacked a standout community-wide event.

But work to change that is underway, and a glimpse at what the future may hold lays on the horizon.

Set for Aug. 27 is a secret, one-day family-oriented signature event, according to a presentation for lawmakers from the city’s event development supervisor, Chris Babcock.

It will be the culmination of work dating back to 2017, when efforts were initiated on the Kelowna Events Strategy. In the years since, several rounds of consultation have taken place, including public surveys.

Among those polled, only 30 per cent said there is a good variety of events in Kelowna. Nearly 70 per cent said there is a lack of awareness of events in the city, preventing them from going.

When it comes to a signature event, which the city defines as an annual event to celebrate Kelowna’s identity, those consulted wanted to see live music involved, followed by history and heritage, watersports, and competitions. Attendees also want opportunities for vendors.

People want the event to be community focused, family-oriented, grown organically to ensure long-term success, and reflect all of Kelowna.

A city-led organizing community that involves residents and stakeholders is using this data for the yet-to-be-announced event in August. It’s expected to announce its findings in the coming weeks.

All this is fueling the Kelowna Event Strategy, which Babcock said, at its core, is “intended to initiate a philosophical shift in a city’s perspective of events and transition Kelowna to an eventful city.”

What is an eventful city? Babcock said it is one that does more than merely rent space or host several separate events, but rather, “has an integrated and holistic approach that uses events as a policy tool to help achieve community priorities.”

Lawmakers adopted the strategy with little comment. Coun. Luke Stack welcomed the goal of trying to develop events that citizens of Kelowna can participate in, as opposed to just tourists.

“I think our citizens do look forward to special events in the park and stuff, and they do come out to it,” he said. “I mean after all it is our taxpayers paying the funds that we use to promote this stuff and it certainly would be nice if they could participate and come to events, they feel comfortable to go to.”