Casino antes up Funtastic festival cash

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star - May 11, 2008

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LAKE CITY Casinos general manager Bridget Armstrong contributes $7,500 to Funtastic executive director Jason Gilbert, making the casino title sponsor for the June 27 to 29 music festival.

jennifer smith/morning star

Lake City Casinos is putting its money down on a winning bet towards hitting the jackpot of fun.

With less than two months until the 24th annual Funtastic Music Festival rocks the DND grounds, Lake City Casinos has once again stepped up as title sponsor.

The support, to the tune of $7,500, goes to the Funtastic Sports Society for the June 27 to 29 event, headlined by Kim Mitchell.

Yet every dollar will actually go right back into the community.

“We basically take that money and reserve it right away and put it towards sports fields,” said Jason Gilbert, Funtastic executive director.

Funtastic is known for its good times, both on the fields with slo-pitch, soccer and lawn bowling and on the entertainment stage. But as Vernon, Armstrong and Enderby play host to the games and excitement, the communities also benefit from recreational support.

Thanks to sponsorship funds like those from Lake City Casino, combined with proceeds raised from the annual tournament/music festival, Funtastic can donate to expanding and improving sports fields and parks.

Over the past 23 years, Funtastic has helped build 13 fields, five playgrounds and has donated money to numerous sports charities.

Building on that support, as well as the fun had by all, is what organizers are again gearing up for.

“We are looking forward to staging another weekend of sporting fun and music which also provides significant economic benefits to our region,” said Gilbert.

Therefore it was an easy decision for Lake City Casinos to once again pitch in and assist Funtastic’s efforts.

“Lake City Casinos has a long history of supporting community events, we are very pleased to work with Funtastic again this year,” said Bridget Armstrong, Lake City Casinos general manager.

“The entertainment is always great and the community really enjoys the event.”

The Lake City Casino Funtastic Music Festival, which entertains 10,000 people over the weekend, is headlined by guitarist, singer and songwriter Kim Mitchell. The man best known for mid-’80s hits like Go For A Soda and Patio Lanterns, takes the entertainment stage Saturday at 10:30 p.m.

Prior to his performance will be March Hare, the versatile group which rocked the Ford World Women’s Curling Championships.

“I heard they put on a Vegas-style show,” said Gilbert. “They even change costumes on set.”

Kicking off the entertainment-filled weekend Friday will be Fleetwood Mac tribute band Dreams and ABBA tribute band Arrival.

The entertainment wraps up Sunday with BC/DC along with local favourites The Young’uns.

Tickets for the festival go on sale June 1 and will be available up and down the valley at Lake City Casinos as well as both local Husky gas stations.

Spaces for the slo-pitch tournament are filling up fast with nearly 300 signed on and only less than a dozen remaining.

For more information visit www.funtastic.org.

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Casino antes up Funtastic festival cash

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