Giddyup – country culture in full stride

The Canadian Country Music Association event this week in Kelowna isn’t just an awards show – it’s a whirlwind cultural celebration of artists, creators and fans of the genre.

It is also an example of how Kelowna has stepped onto the big stage once again to showcase its ability to host major events with flare and enthusiasm. Leading up to the main event – the awards and performances at Prospera Place on Sept. 13 – Country Music Week in Kelowna has more related events than an Appaloosa has spots.

“As a world-class event-hosting city, we are proud to showcase our community on the national stage,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas. “After a multi-year process to bring the CCMA Awards here, Kelowna is set to come alive with concerts and celebrations across the city, delivering a welcome boost to our local economy during the shoulder season.” 

Kelowna hosted the Brier national curling championship this year, and will be the host city for the Memorial Cup, the national junior hockey championship in 2026.

Kelowna is the smallest city to host the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, but the impact of its professionalism and organization is expected to raise the bar on how immersive this event can be. 

The City has partnered with community organizations such as Tourism Kelowna, the Downtown Kelowna Association, Prospera Place and many others to take our shot at attracting this high-profile event.

Experience and research confirms these large events have a positive and meaningful impact on our quality of life, economic stimulus, and the shared experience that helps shape our community’s identity. 

Kelowna is competing with cities nationally and globally all the time, cities that also have event strategies to attract events produces many benefits. It's as competitive as the Entertainer of the Year award at this years CCMA.

The Kelowna Event Strategy, in place since 2022, recognized that an “eventful city” is more than renting space or hosting several separate events – it takes a committed approach to maximize how events can achieve community priorities.  

These events serve as a way to animate and bring vibrancy to the community, and they advance the City’s efforts to create an environment where urban centres are lively and businesses enjoy the benefits of concentrated human activity.  

Now, City-created events such as Meet Me On Bernard – the annual pedestrian street program on our “main” downtown street – give people a reason to get out and enjoy the experience as it is extended to integrate with the CCMA Awards and tie into the festivities with a country flavour. 

The City invited local artists to pitch immersive art installations displayed downtown during Country Music Week. From a life-sized sketchbook that shows a day in the life of a country music artist visiting Kelowna, to Lime scooters donned with horseheads, these pieces offer a boot-scootin’ twist sure to stirrup excitement across the city.  

“City staff have been working hard behind the scenes on logistics like transportation and parking, decorating the city with banners and art, as well as business engagement to ensure they can provide a great visitor experience,” said Chris Babcock, Event Development Manager. “It was also important for us to develop activations around Kelowna that provide an opportunity for the broader community to get involved.”  

It’s gonna be a great week for fun-lovin’ folk, and a great week for Kelowna’s economic and cultural vivaciousness. Giddyup.

To learn more about other events happening around the city, as well as learn more about how the City was able to bring the CCMA Awards to Kelowna, visit www.kelowna.ca/majorevents