Generations of Canadian families have sung along to his gentle melodies and now, Fred Penner is bringing his beloved brand of music and magic to the Penticton Peach Festival for Valley First Kiddies Day.
Penner, presented by Patan Heating and Air, will headline Kiddies Day on Sunday, Aug. 10 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Okanagan Lake Park.
Fred Penner has been a household name for generations, delighting audiences as a singer-songwriter, actor, author, and the star of the beloved CBC television show Fred Penner’s Place, which ran for 13 seasons and nearly 1,000 episodes. His music and gentle storytelling have touched the lives of countless children and families, earning him four Juno Awards and prestigious honours such as the Order of Canada and the Order of Manitoba.
“Fred Penner isn’t just a performer, he’s part of Canadian childhoods,” says Chuck Thompson, Vice President of the Penticton Peach Festival. “So many people grew up watching him crawl through that hollow log on Fred Penner’s Place and now they’re introducing his music to their own kids. This is going to be a really special experience for families and people of all ages.”
Beyond his contributions to music and television, Penner has served as a spokesperson for organizations including World Vision, UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Canadian Down Syndrome Society. His life’s work is rooted in compassion, creativity, and a belief in the power of music to inspire and uplift.
With a career spanning five decades, Fred Penner continues to perform and create, proving that his impact on children’s entertainment, and on the hearts of Canadians, is as strong as ever.
Valley First Kiddies Day is one of the most anticipated family events of the Peach Festival. The morning kicks off the final day of PeachFest with the Minuteman Press Kiddies Day parade and an afternoon of entertainment in Okanagan Lake Park for kids and families including the return of magician Leif David.
Families are encouraged to arrive early, bring a blanket or lawn chair, and get ready to sing along to some of Fred Penner’s most beloved songs.
Following the Kiddies Day entertainment is a day packed with the iFlip team and local music culminating with headliners Hillside Outlaws and Dawson Gray, presented by Kettle Valley Memorial. Peach Festival runs from Aug. 6 to 10 and is five days of free, family entertainment.
