(UPDATE: Sept. 8 @ 7:45 pm) – "I announce, that I'll be putting my name forward to remain your mayor for our city of Kelowna," proclaimed Colin Basran.

This evening, the incumbent mayor kicked off his campaign for his third run at being the head of Kelowna's city council.

The event opened with Shannon Christensen, founder of Mama's for Mama's , emceeing the evening at Red Bird Brewing, with speeches from Andre Blanleil and Ryan Donn endorsing the present mayor. 

With only a month before the election, Basran admitted he waited to announce his candidacy because he wanted to enjoy the summer with his family without having to worry about campaigning. 

"It's been a difficult couple of years for everybody, and I'm no different," said Basran.

"This was unprecedented what we have been through and so I really wanted to take this summer, in particular, to spend quality time with my kids."

KelownaNow will have a more in-depth look at campaign promises and goals with Basran at a later date. 

Kelowna residents will have a chance to vote who will be taking on the role of Kelowna's mayor on Oct. 15.

(ORIGINAL STORY: Sept. 8 @ 4:25 pm) – Colin Basran is going for a three-peat.

The incumbent mayor is holding an event at Red Bird Brewing this evening and as guests and media arrived, the secret was very much out of the bag.

The brewery was decorated with campaign signs calling for people to re-elect Basran as mayor in October.

His slogan: “Real vision! Real progress!”

Photo Credit: KelownaNow

After a single term on city council, Basran assumed his role as Kelowna’s mayor when he defeated Sharon Shepherd with 56.89% of the vote in the 2014 election.

Four years later, he was re-elected with a nearly identical share of the votes, this time holding off Tom Dyas at the polls.

Dyas is once again considered Basran’s main competition ahead of the Oct. 15 election.

KelownaNow reporter Sarah Jones is at Basran's campaign launch and this story will be updated this evening with further details.