The Cannery Trade Centre parking lot was the scene of a little party Sunday afternoon. It was such a cool party, in fact, that a radio station was there to document it.
That radio station was CFUZ-FM, also known as Peach City Radio, and it wasn't overly surprising they were on hand to spin some tunes and discuss the goings-on. It was, after all, a CFUZ party.
But let's back up a bit. Peach City Radio has been broadcasting online since 2013. In February, with their new studio at the Cannery Trade Centre complete and all the legal, licensing, and logistical hurdles jumped, they finally added an FM presence. And Sunday's "launch party" was the station's chance to say they're here to stay and to congratulate everyone on a job well done.
As Jackie Del Rizzo, president of the Peach City Community Radio Society, yapped with the crowd, Ian Mackinder played the role of on-air personality. Not only is Mackinder the Peach City Radio secretary, he's also the music director and the organizer of the society's legendary annual record sale, Okanagan Vinyl Fest.
And today, he was adding an extra show to the two other shows he does each and every week.
"We all wear a lot of hats here," he said with a laugh. "The main thing that draws us all together is our love of radio and music."
"Today is the launch we've worked for ten years to see. In that time, we've built the studio and built the infrastructure. This is a 'Hey, we're here' thing. We want to get our name out, we want people to start listening. We're looking for sponsors, we're looking for people who want to become a member and voice their interests and passions."
And yes, that last bit means Peach City Radio is actively pursuing local folks who might like to host their own radio show.
Said Mackinder, "Anybody can do it. You have to become a member, and there's some training you have to do. We're very much an organization that nurtures and helps people get to that point. Even if you have no experience, we're there to help and support you."
Later, Del Rizzo said the launch party was a confirmation of sorts. "We didn't really know how it was going to go when we turned on that transmitter for the first time in February. We did that, and now today we know things are moving along smoothly and we're at a point where we're trying to get more people aware of what we're doing."
She also echoed Mackinder on the society's desire to find additional on-air hosts, called "programmers."
"We want people to become programmers. You come to one of our Radio 101 sessions, which happens monthly. It's a free session where you can find out where you want to be involved. And if programming is your thing - being an on-air host - we have a nice little pathway for you to take."
And, she said, programmers don't need a conventional radio voice. "We want you to sound like you're talking to your neighbour. It's all about community members talking to each other."
Also on hand Sunday was Craig Henderson. Henderson, a real estate agent by trade, lives in Naramata and founded a Naramata-centric website called MyNaramata back in 2009. He's been volunteering with Peach City Radio since 2011, is on the board of directors, and now commands his own show that focuses on, not surprisingly, Naramata.
"Dave (CFUZ program director Dave Del Rizzo) and I pretty much built this studio," he said Sunday, "doing the drywall and the floor and putting the windows in place. This is now a great space to make radio in."
"And today is a day where we can celebrate the accomplishments of so many and look forward to the future. To take a pause and say yeah, we've done something here."
Peach City Radio can be found at 92.9 on the FM dial. To tune in online or find out more about the station, the society behind it, and potential involvement, go here.
