The City of Kelowna works in collaboration with its numerous community partners so as to serve the cultural needs of the city. During 2004, it was named the Cultural Capital of Canada in response to its vibrant and dynamic Cultural District. It's received an award of $500,000. For the arts, the Kelowna Community Theatre is operated by the City and boasts of an 853-seat location in the Cultural District. The Theatre has been bringing people together since the year 1062, and it is home to kelowna Community Concert Association, Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Kelowna, Theatre Kelowna Society, and Viva Musica. Kelowna City even has Public Art pieces located all through the entire area. These pieces are made by the community's residents or non-profit groups. Furthermore, the City of Kelowna provides Arts Grants to non-profit arts and cultural organizations that produce yearly arts-focused pursuits within the City. They work in partnership along with the Kelowna Art Gallery, Kelowna Museum, Parks Alive, and Rotary Centre for the Arts.
Kelowna City boasts of special festivals and cultural events. Hardly a time passes by without anyone experiencing anything new or fun to do. People who like to experience its festivals will certainly have fun at the Fat Cats Children's Festival, Mardi Gras Street Festival, Parks Alive and Okanagan Wine Festival. Fat Cat Children's Festival is funded locally and operated by volunteers. It attracts several parents and children each and every year. Mardi Gras offers pubs and restaurants all throughout the evening. There are even stage performances and children's activity zone including dunk tank and climbing wall. Okanagan Wine Festivals are held three times in the Okanagan Valley. Everybody is invited to eat native food, try award-winning wines and attend educational seminars. Parks Alive is a non-profit program which brings art and culture to Kelowna's lakefront and parks from June to September.
The city of Kelowna is considered the biggest city within the tourist-oriented Okanagan Valley, and employs majority of its people within the service trade. The area in and around Kelowna produces many wines which have garnered global recognition. There are numerous vineyards south of the city, where the nice type of weather allows for the production and cultivation of wine. One of the most popular ones is the Mission Hill Estate Winery, which is unique for its architectural design. The city of Kelowna is likewise known for Sun-Rype, a popular fruit juice and snack manufacturer. The City is the seat of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the third largest metropolitan area in British Columbia. It is likewise the third largest within the British Columbia Interior. The city of Kelowna has lots of beautiful lakes and mild weather condition, that makes it one of the fastest growing cities within North America.
