A sellout crowd packed Kelowna’s Apple Bowl on Saturday as the BC Lions took on the Calgary Stampeders in the first of two Canadian Football League games played as part of the nine-day Touchdown Kelowna festival.
The stadium was transformed to accommodate approximately 18,000 fans, many of whom traveled to the Okanagan to attend the game.
“Kelowna has made us feel welcome for sure, very welcome,” said a visiting fan from Abbotsford.
Many football fans booked their holidays on the two matches.
“We’re going to stay all week enjoying Kelowna and then come to the game next week,” said one Calgary fan.
The influx of visitors is already being felt by local businesses.
At the Kelowna Beer Institute, business is up nearly 30 percent as festival-goers explore the city’s restaurants, breweries and events between games.
“The town is buzzing,” owner Chris Stirling said. “There are events all around, between the two games, all over town. Luckily for us, they’re on both sides of our business. As they walk by, they see our yard, so it’s been great.”
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Nearby, Rollz Ice Cream has extended its hours and added staff to keep up with demand.
Next week is expected to be particularly busy with football fever and many participating in Canada Day celebrations.
“Because of Canada Day, visitors are coming, lots of visitors, from Calgary, from Vancouver,” said Mehak Dhindsa, who works at the ice cream parlor.
The City of Kelowna estimates that Touchdown Kelowna will generate between $50 million and $60 million in economic activity for the city and surrounding region.
Mayor Tom Dyas said the event is part of a wider strategy to attract major sporting and entertainment events throughout the year.
“Together when we look at the total of all the events that have been in the community over the last year, year and a half, it’s well over $100 million,” Dyas said. “We’ll continue to look at moving it forward, especially in the shoulder seasons.”
With another CFL game still to come this weekend and festival events continuing throughout the week, many businesses are hoping the momentum — and spending — continues.
“Small businesses like us struggle, and when the city makes an effort to bring in big events, we really see the difference,” Stirling said.
The second CFL game is scheduled for July 4 between the BC Lions and the Edmonton Elks.
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