By Brenda Giesbrecht

There really is something for everyone at this year鈥檚 Westside Daze. Voted 鈥楤est Annual Community Event in the Central Okanagan,鈥� the weekend includes a kids鈥� fair, show-n-shine, free concerts and performances, parade, craft sale, pancake breakfast, Canada Day cake, trunk sale and Okanagan Day.

鈥淭his is a positive event, a celebration,鈥� said event president Leah Thordarson. 鈥淲est 琉璃神社 has had such a traumatic time lately, we need to celebrate what鈥檚 good in our lives and remind ourselves that we鈥檒l get through this.鈥�

This year鈥檚 theme is Celebrating 15+ Decades in Canada.

鈥淲e wanted to reflect the long history of all this community, which is why there is a 鈥榩lus鈥� after the number 15,鈥� noted Thordarson. 鈥淚t honours all decades and all citizens.鈥�

Although the recent flooding has impacted the site for the event, the committee has found ways to cope with the challenges.

鈥淭he fireworks show will be held Friday night,鈥� said Thordarson, 鈥渁nd we鈥檝e added a few new events to our schedule of favourites.鈥�

Children can look forward to working their way through a maze during the Kids鈥� Fair on Saturday, an interesting course constructed by fences with plant covering. As is their practice, the committee has ensured that all events, including the maze, are free for participants. The fair runs noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday after the parade.

The second new event is a Trunk Sale on Saturday, after the Kids鈥� Fair and before the evening concerts. There is no cost to enter the Trunk Sale鈥攋ust load up your car鈥檚 trunk with unwanted treasures from home to sell. No commercial products or handicrafts, please (there are booths available for those). Planet Earth Recycling will be on hand to take any of your unsold or unwanted items if so desired.

The weekend starts Friday night at Memorial Park with the opening ceremony, a magic show by Leif David, a Tom Petty Tribute concert and fireworks at Gellatly Bay.

Besides events already mentioned, Saturday will include a community Canada Day cake for all to share and a fabulous show by the Kinshira Fire Troupe late in the evening. And Sunday starts with a pancake breakfast, then concerts and cars.

Remember that the schedule is subject to change. And remember to bring lawns chairs for the concerts.

鈥淐ome help us celebrate what is good and fun in West 琉璃神社,鈥� said Thordarson.