The Kootenay Outdoor Recreation Enterprise Initiative (KORE) held their first annual KOREfest and Localpalooza in the Kimberley Platzl on June 28 and 29.
KORE board chair "Powder" Matt Mosteller told The Bulletin that executive director Kevin Pennock believes that "bringing together music, mountain culture, outdoor craft gear makers in one place connects community together in a very powerful way," and thus KOREfest and Localpalooza were born.
"No better way to drive collaboration, creativity and connection than bringing together the arts and mountain community," Mosteller said.
The event was a collaborative effort of KORE alongside Centre 64, the Kimberley Arts Council, Kimberley and District Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Kimberley, the City of Kimberley and the Kimberley business community, plus a huge group of local volunteers and KORE members.
The two-date event featured 10 local bands and showcased a multitude of Kootenay-based outdoor gear makers.
The event featured performances from Mike Stack, Oliver McQuaid, Oracle Jones, Velvet Vixen, the Howard Street Blend, Lennan Delaney, the Spruce Tops, Trena and the Kimberley Crew, Heather Gemmell and Fyfe Williams.
KORE's Rehub program was also on site providing free mending, patching and other repairs to outdoor gear, including jackets, sleeping bags, backpacks and more.
"It hits the right notes for Kimberley," Mosteller said. "People hear love good music and people here love outdoor recreation, so there is a real win-win.
"Having the outdoor gear makers' market — like a farmers' market, but instead of produce it was outdoor gear — and music in the same walking experience really provided a very special experience. Both the talent of the craft gear makers and the talent and calibre of musicians is amazing. What a way to truly showcase the creative skills that both have."
Mosteller said that having the event on the same weekend as the same weekend as the Kimberley Underground Show and Shine was a bonus as people were out and about in the community checking out both things.
"Great events happen because of the dedication and passion of the key people that had the spark or inspiration for the event idea," Mosteller said. "Kudos to Kevin Pennock and Peter Kearns for getting together and brainstorming this idea and then actually making the dream come true for the community
"We have great leadership now in many of the key community non-profits so it is a great opportunity for the community to try new events like this and also to continue to great reasons why people live here, what makes this place special and different from other communities."
Stay up to date with everything KORE has happening at koreoutdoors.org
