While it wasn’t all smooth sailing, it was a successful return for Music in the Park in Kamloops this year.

That is according to Festival Coordinator Henry Small, who says he is glad as COVID-19 played havoc with the last two editions.

“We had a lot of challenges this year with people cancelling at the last minute because they would find work closer to home and gas was expensive, and we have a limited budget,” Small said.

“But overall, I think it was wonderful for the people of Kamloops to be able to get out in the air and be entertained for a couple hours a night.”

He says a number of these cancellations come at the last minute, causing a “bit of a scramble” for organizers.

“A lot of these cancellations happen the day of, or the day before but luckily we have a really talented pool of artists here in Kamloops,” Small added. “Most of the times we can replace it quite quickly. Sometimes it is a little bit more difficult, depending on the day, but we get it done.”

While Small – who has been involved in planning the outdoor concert series since its debut in 1994 – is looking for some downtime with the 2022 edition now behind us, he is also looking forward to the 30th anniversary next summer.

“I would like to do at least one more year and I think after that we’ll see,” he said.

“I have to honestly say, when I go down to the park at night and I see a lot of people having fun and kids dancing in front of the stage, I always think I’m tired of [planning] it but then when I experience that, I usually go, ‘well, maybe another year.'”

Music in the Park brings a variety of genres of live music to the Rotary Bandshell at Riverside Park everyday between July 1 and Aug. 31.

Shattered Blue to close out two months of live, outdoor concerts downtown.#Kamloops pic.twitter.com/vXT1552emL

— Victor Mario Kaisar (@supermario_47) September 1, 2022