Festival Promoters, the GSL Group, celebrate their success with artists, fans, and the community, including a major fundraising and charity initiative, which resulted in over $20,000 in donations for the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Charitable Society.
Rock The Lake (RTL) music festival, presented by GSL Group’s Sports & Entertainment division, completed its 8th edition with an unprecedented multi-generational, all-Canadian summer bash this past weekend. The annual event takes place outside Prospera Place, which is owned and operated by GSL Group, in downtown Kelowna.
From pop punk legends to emerging stars, this year’s artist lineup showcased the incredible depth of Canadian music, with standout performances from Simple Plan, Down With Webster, JJ Wilde, Sam Roberts Band, and more. Over the three days, more than 8500 fans attended the festival over the weekend, and more children than ever before were introduced to the rock festival.
“This year’s programming allowed us to bring together fans across generations,” said Trish Jelinski, VP Sales, Sports & Entertainment, GSL Group. “Whether you attended for the headliners or to enjoy the Kelowna summer atmosphere, the entire weekend was a celebration of music and community that feels genuinely ours. We’re very proud of our team and partners for coming together to create a gathering place for rock fans of all ages.”
That Canadian-first and inclusive mindset extended well beyond the lineup, with an all-Canadian partner list and more community initiatives than ever before. This included hiring local bands to open on Saturday and Sunday, commissioning designs from local artists, and partnering with the Kelowna Professional Firefighters Charitable Society (KPFCS) to raise vital funds through the Canadian Wildfire Prevention Foundation.
Through GSL Group’s $1 donation per buyer commitment, onsite initiatives and activations, and GSL’s $5,000 match, a total of $10,438.24 was raised for the KPFCS through festival activities. The festival also donated over $10,000 worth of passes to ensure firefighters and their families could attend and enjoy the event, bringing the organization’s total donations to the non-profit to over $20,000.
Our foundation was so proud to facilitate this new charity component between the festival and the Kelowna Professional Firefighters’ Charitable Society,” said Michelle Lee, Director of the Canadian Wildfire Prevention Foundation. Beyond the dollars raised, the partnership was a meaningful showcase of what can happen when community and creativity come together for a purpose. The awareness and visibility surrounding the vital work firefighters do in Kelowna is something we’re proud to highlight and celebrate.
The onsite experience offered much more than just music, with highlights including the Chances Casino Festival Market, Acera VIP Lounge, Kelowna Hockey Fest x YMCA Kids Zone, Inkroom Tattoo Studio, and complimentary tastings at Sandhill Wines’ downtown tasting room.
Organizers have received positive feedback from artists, attendees, and partners following the event and are already planning the 9th edition of Rock The Lake, scheduled for July 10-12, 2026.
Very limited Early Bird 3-Day GA Festival Passes are now available for $129 plus fees and taxes at rtlkelowna.com or selectyourtickets.com
