Several hundred people ignored the threat of an imminent rainstorm late Friday afternoon and early evening to pack the 100 block of Ellis Street for the third annual Ellis on the Rise block party. Even before the official start time of 5 p.m., the action was ramping up.
One of the most impressive parts of the event is that it really did live up to its "all ages" billing. Sure, it featured lots of stuff for kids and young families. But adults had a zone aimed at them too - in the middle of the block, where grown up musicians Like Ari Neufeld played and sang, the Penticton Fire Department barbecue satiated hunger, and a beverage garden dispensed adult beverages courtesy of Ellis Street merchants Cannery Brewing and Mile Zero Wine Bar.
One of the busiest spots on the entire block - apart from the aforementioned beverage garden - was the SOTA Instruments tent. Normally, SOTA manufactures wellness products. And they'll soon be moving from their current Ellis Street location to a slick new premises just up the street.
But tonight they spent their time serving up an enormous cupcake/cake hybrid comprised of hundreds of normal cupcakes covered completely, end to end, by a thick layer of icing. Underneath, there were all those cupcakes. But from the top, it looked like one gargantuan cake.
According to SOTA rep and temporary dessert server Samantha, "It's an Ellis on the Rise cupcake cake that we're handing out. We're providing sugar to all of Penticton. It was made by IGA. I believe there are five hundred cupcakes in there, chocolate and vanilla mixed."
The longest kid lineups were arguably at the inflatable climbing wall, situated just outside HooDoo Adventures. And the reactions were priceless. Some climbers broke into tears when they finally looked down to see how high they'd climbed. Others behaved like veteran mountaineers.
But there was so much more to do. At the south end of the block, a vintage fire truck. At the north end, a chalk art tent where doodlers of all ages could leave their marks on the Ellis Street blacktop. In between there was face painting, a bouncy castle, and at least another dozen displays and tents. And, by 6:30 p.m., one heck of a crowd.
And of course there were food trucks. For Indian food there was Samosa Express. Pizzas were provided by the Ooknakanee Friendship Centre truck. Ice cream came courtesy of Peak Perfection. Add in that barbecue and all those cupcakes, and Ellis Street on this Friday evening was a dieter's worst nightmare.
And yes, even in the face of recent city controversy, plenty of folks were sitting on the sidewalks enjoying their tasty treats.
Out in the midst of it was Lynn Allin of the Downtown Penticton Association. The block party was the DPAs baby, and Allin was pleased.
"We had a plan today to do it rain or shine, and so far so good," she said, casting a glance to the darkening but so far dry sky. "It's our kickoff to all the summer events. It's a partnership of all the businesses down here, and it's been great. We're really happy."
