<div dir="ltr">Dear editors and communications team,<div><br></div><div>Please accept this news release from the Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture about our 2024 Festival in Vernon, BC on Sept. 20 and 21.</div><div><br></div><div>The second annual festival launches the start of Culture Days across Canada and promises to be bigger, and brighter, than ever.</div><div><br></div><div>Thank you for your consideration in sharing the news about Sundog, </div><div>Please contact us if you require any further information or have any requests.</div><div><br></div><div>Yours sincerely,</div><div>Kristin Froneman</div><div>Sundog Festival</div><div>Communications Coordinator</div><div><a href="mailto:sundogfest@gmail.com">sundogfest@gmail.com</a></div><div><br></div><div>cc </div><div>Shawna Patenaude</div><div>Arts Council of the North Okanagan</div><div>Executive Director</div><div><a href="mailto:ed@acno.ca">ed@acno.ca</a></div><div><br></div><div>Heath Fletcher</div><div>Sundog Festival</div><div>Co-Chair</div><div><a href="mailto:sundogfest@gmail.com">sundogfest@gmail.com</a></div><div><br></div><div><img src="cid:ii_lzu080u82" alt="Sundog_Logo-02.jpg" width="528" height="155"><br></div><div><br></div><div><span id="gmail-docs-internal-guid-29a16e41-7fff-35cd-4eae-59edda69da0d"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;text-align:right;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Aug. 14, 2024</span></p><h2 dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:18pt;margin-bottom:6pt"><span style="font-size:17pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sundog Festival Announces Exciting Lineup for 2024</span></h2><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-style:italic;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Join us in celebrating the rich arts and culture scene in Greater Vernon when the second annual Sundog Festival kicks off Culture Days, Sept. 20 and 21.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">VERNON, BC— Get ready to kick off your fall with a splash of arts and culture at the second annual Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">On September 20 and 21, Polson Park transforms into a vibrant hub of creativity and celebration, featuring live music, cultural performances, artisan vendors, artist demonstrations, and food trucks. This year’s festival is bigger and brighter, marking the start of Culture Days—a national celebration of arts and culture running for three weeks in the fall.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Thanks to the Arts Council of the North Okanagan, Tourism Vernon, the Regional District of the North Okanagan, Fortis BC, and local supporters, the festival is free to attend. Shawna Patenaude, Executive Director of the Arts Council of the North Okanagan, highlights the festival’s community spirit, noting, “We are thrilled to bring this diverse lineup of musicians, performers, and artists to Greater Vernon. It’s all made possible by our sponsors, participants and volunteers.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">The Polson Park bandshell will be buzzing with energy, featuring a diverse selection of music from all over Western Canada. This year’s headliners include Dakota Bear on the Friday night and Five Alarm Funk on the Saturday night. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Dakota Bear, a nationally recognized Indigenous hip hop artist, and Five Alarm Funk, BC’s favourite party band who are coming off a super-charged performance at the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival, promise to deliver unforgettable performances that cater to diverse tastes,” said Heath Fletcher, Sundog Festival founder and committee co-chair. “</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(20,24,39);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">All the bands performing have been booked by our partner Local Losers Underground, and are geared to highlight the culturally diverse place we call home.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">In addition to the music, the Polson Artisan Market will showcase local artists and craftspeople, while food trucks will keep the crowd well-fed. New this year is The Oasis, offering beverages from local breweries, cideries, and wineries. Live painting and art demos will also add to the creative atmosphere.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.2;text-align:justify;margin-top:12pt;margin-bottom:12pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Don’t miss out on this exciting two-day kick-off to Culture Days. For more details and to see the full list of Sundog and Culture Days events, visit</span><a href="http://www.sundogfest.ca" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Sundog Festival's website</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> and the</span><a href="https://culturedays.ca/en/hubs/fd3b29f7-c09b-4d1d-92b0-9d42f43fae4d" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> Sundog Culture Days Hub</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">.</span></p><span style="font-size:15pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:15pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">About the Sundog Festival:</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">A sundog is a natural phenomenon that is recognized by people all over the world. They have no </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap">boundaries, borders or associations with any particular race, culture, or religion. Scientifically, they </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap">are a natural occurrence that takes place when sunlight refracts through ice crystals suspended in </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap">the air. Symbolically, the sighting of a sundog signifies a shift in your life, and multicoloured halos </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;font-size:11pt;white-space:pre-wrap">bring news of unification, balance & harmony.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Taking its name from this phenomenon, the Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture has a mission to educate, entertain, uplift and inspire and is funded through local governments and programs in alignment with Culture Days in BC.</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Organized by the Sundog Festival Committee, a volunteer collective of locals representing a broad range of artistic expressions of culture, including artists, non-profits, tourism and small businesses, the Sundog Festival of Arts and Culture will see events take place in Greater Vernon from Sept. 20 to Oct. 13, 2024..</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Along with two days of events with free entertainment and activities at Polson Park on Sept. 20 and 21, the festival provides opportunities for our entire community to participate in whatever way they can. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><br><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">For more information, please contact:</span></p><br><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.26;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Shawna Patenaude</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.26;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ACNO Executive Director / Festival Co-Chair</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.26;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="mailto:ed@acno.ca" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">ed@acno.ca</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.26;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">250-351-7410</span></p><br><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Heath Fletcher</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Festival Co-Chair </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="mailto:sundogfest@gmail.com" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">sundogfest@gmail.com</span></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">250-309-5226</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></p><br><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-weight:700;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Link to Photos:</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><a href="https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1uYb9_SU_3_Ig5V0EqOAlIDrkxjulaINK?usp=sharing" style="text-decoration-line:none"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;text-decoration-line:underline;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">2024 SUNDOG FESTIVAL IMAGES</span></a></p></span><br class="gmail-Apple-interchange-newline"></div></div>