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If you like your music analog, where records and turntables and manual effort take the place of playlists and streaming and "Okay, Google," there's one place you need to be on September 22.
It's the Penticton Seniors' Drop-In Centre at 2965 South Main. Starting at 10 a.m. that morning, or 9 a.m. if you want to fork over a bit more money for an earlier look, the 2019 Okanagan Vinyl Fest will satisfy your old school desires with a wealth of gently used LPs, 45s, cassettes, and even the audio gear you'll need to play them.
And yes, there'll be a compact discs too for those who don't mind digital recordings.
It's the eighth year for Vinyl Fest, and it's been a happening deal from day one. Indeed, as worldwide interest in records continues to rebound from a turn-of-the-millennium low point, interest in Vinyl Fest seems to have grown right along with it.
Ian Mackinder is the Vinyl Fest chair. He's also the secretary of the organization behind it, Peach City Radio (C-FUZ 92.9 FM). The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the non-profit community radio station.
And Mackinder is the natural choice to spearhead it.
"I've collected records since I was five," he said in C-FUZ HQ yesterday afternoon. "I still have the first record I ever owned - The Beatles' Abbey Road."
"I love the way they sound. I love a properly set up stereo. I like the whole process of putting it on and listening to a whole side like the artist intended. And you get lavish album art in many cases," he added.
"If you listen to Spotify, you don't actually own anything once the song ends. But a record is a beautiful, tangible thing in a world of intangible stuff."
One of his favourite pastimes is showing off his home stereo setup to folks accustomed to streaming music through a single Bluetooth or WiFi speaker.
"My living room stereo, people come in and ask 'What is that?' And I say 'That's stereo.' It's not right and left, it's right there present in the middle of the room. There's a warmth to it. You're immersed in it. It's a completely different experience."
As in previous years, Vinyl Fest will feature vendors from across the province selling various forms of audio media and audio gear. And the folks from Peach City Radio will be selling stuff too - most of which has been donated.
"We organize a donation drive at the beginning of every September, and we gather donations of audio and vinyl collections that we then sell at the festival."
Mackinder says the day is a ton of fun.
"We'll have great DJs playing fun music, and we'll broadcast it live on FM radio. There's food and beverages. And if you like vinyl, there'll be lots of vendors selling fabulous vinyl at good prices. It's a nice, tight-knit community of people who are all passionate about vinyl and good sound."
The event officially begins at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m., and a mere $2 gets you in the door. However, anyone who wants to check out the merch before it's been picked over can do so by forking over an extra $3 for the 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. "Early Bird" hour.
Moreover, the first hundred people through the door get a goodie bag.
And, Mackinder has a tip. Some of the day's best bargains may be in stereo components.
"For example, I have a lovely donated system that you can pick up for about $250. And you'll end up with a beautiful set of Polk speakers from the 80s, a Harman Kardon amplifier, and a Toshiba turntable with a good cartridge and a new belt."
One other thing – this year's donation drive is still active, and Mackinder would love to hear from anyone who'd like to chip in.
"We'll take records and cassettes, and audio gear as long as it's working. We're primarily looking for rock, jazz, and country. Not so much easy listening or classical."
If you have any of the above, reach out to Mackinder at info@peachcityradio.org.
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