Penticton Peach Festival cancels events due to Bald Range wildfire

The Penticton Peach Festival organizers are reflecting on the 79th annual event, which faced significant disruptions due to the Bald Range wildfire. The blaze erupted near Summerland on the evening of August 7, 2026, leading to the evacuation of the entire community and prompting the festival to cancel its popular grand parade and several final-day activities.

Festival president Shawna Tinga stated that decisions to cancel events were made to prioritize community safety, keep critical routes open for emergency responders, and ensure volunteer resources were directed toward wildfire relief. Despite the cancellations, the festival successfully pivoted to support those affected, hosting a fire relief concert featuring Canadian artist Virginia to Vegas that raised over $5,000.

The festival had successfully completed several days of programming, including performances by Bif Naked and Madeline Merlo, before the wildfire situation necessitated the shift in focus toward community support.