There are just some things that may never change.

One of those things appears to be the Pentastic Jazz Festival and its knack for getting people up and dancing.

At least that鈥檚 how Michael Campbell sees it, who says the event brings just as much energy to music lovers in the city today as it did when he started it in the 1990s.

鈥淚 really do love it and even though some of the music has changed, the energy has always been there,鈥� said Campbell, as he welcomed back nine bands from across the globe to Penticton鈥檚 Pentastic Hot Jazz and Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 9.

Campbell鈥檚 love for music, his wife鈥檚 desire to extend Penticton鈥檚 鈥渉igh season鈥� past Labour Day and public demand are among the things that helped sparked the festival鈥檚 inaugural event in the mid-1990s.

The festival typically brings in more than 1,200 people to the city for the weekend.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been very successful so far this year,鈥� Campbell said.

Returning acts from 2022 were joined by bands that hadn鈥檛 been featured at the Penticton festival in almost 10 years.

Montreal-based Le Dixie Band, for instance, was featured at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Saturday, for the first time in nine years.

鈥淥ne of my favourite parts of the festival is the camaraderie that we enjoy with the bands,鈥� Campbell said. 鈥淪eeing them back was great.鈥�

It鈥檚 also the more than 100 volunteers that Campbell thinks about, including those who have dedicated their time to help with the event since Day No. 1.

鈥淭here鈥檚 one volunteer who was with was during the first year, and she showed me the shirt we gave her from that festival,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淰ery cool.鈥�

Campbell says that by the late 1990s, the festival had carved out its core audience, as well as found its way with recruiting high-level entertainment to perform.

鈥淲e want to provide world-class entertainment at an affordable price,鈥� he said.

The festival is celebrating 25 years in Penticton this weekend.

Campbell says the festival donated several dozens of tickets to first responders across the community.

There are nine bands set to perform at four different city venues through Sunday, Sept. 10.

Tickets for Sunday鈥檚 entertainment can be found

logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com