The City of Kamloops says Music in the Park – a summer staple at Riverside Park between July 1 and August 31 – will be returning this year.

In a statement, the City’s Events Supervisor, Sean Smith, says he’s excited to see it return after COVID-19 played havoc with the last two editions of the festival. The 2020 edition was cancelled, while the already shortened 2021 edition was shortened even further because of increased public health measures.

“We’re so happy to have it back in Riverside Park this summer,” he said, in the statement, while encouraging past and new artists to apply for an opportunity to perform at the festival.

“The wide variety of music is what makes this event a success.”

“We look forward to welcoming artists back to our community and encourage our out-of-town friends to come and enjoy the longest-running series of its kind in North America,” Henry Small, who has coordinated the outdoor concert series since 1994, added, noting he is looking forward to putting together this year’s lineup.

Another staple of the Kamloops summer – Ribfest – is also going ahead on August 5, 6, and 7 after two straight years of COVID-19 related cancellations in 2020 and 2021.

Canada Day celebrations at Riverside Park will also be returning in-person, according to the Barbara Berger, the City’s Recreation, Social Development, and Culture Manager. It too was held in both 2020 and 2021.

“We are going to be actually doing some communication about both Canada Day and Music in the Park at the end of the week,” she said at the March 29 City Council meeting.

“They are going ahead.”

Organizers of the Kamloopa Powwow have also announced the return of the event set to take place between July 29 and 31 after a two year hiatus.

In nearby Merritt, the Rockin’ River Music Festival is also making a grand return between July 28 and 31, with Tim McGraw and Darius Rucker set to headline the festival.