Center of Gravity sports and music festival returned to City Park for its 8th year in a row, and it was rad as hell.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Let's talk about the plethora of stellar sporting events that went down over the three-day festival. The events included Freestyle Motocross, beach volleyball, skateboarding, BMX riding, wakeboarding, and the newest addition to the sporting line up, the Gauntlet Games. Most of the sports showcased BC athletes, many of whom hailed from the Okanagan and surrounding area.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
The freestyle motocross was insane!
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
This event showcased some crazy dudes on dirtbikes jump 75 feet across two ramps, while reaching heights of up to 35 feet in the air. Oh yeah, did I mention they would also be doing some death-defying tricks whilst jumping said ramps?
This extreme sport and it's extreme athletes seemed to be the perfect fit for this Monster Energy sponsored event. People were equally entertained as they were worried for the riders. After all, it wasn't titled "Mayhem Session" because they were just popping a wheelie here and there.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
The highlight of the festival, and likely it's main selling point, was the killer lineup of EDM and Rap artists that were taking to the main stage throughout the weekend.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Friday night may have been the biggest night musically, but Saturday night would have been an EDM lovers nirvana. With heart pumping performances from Afrojack and Showtek, even the security guards were busting a move!
Photo Credit: KelownaNowAfrojack
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Impressive supporting acts from Kap Slap, Party Favour, and Eminence ensured the hype of the crowd never died down as they danced for nearly six hours straight.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Let's not forget the absolute madness that was Machine Gun Kelly's set on Sunday.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
From lying across speakers to climbing the stage towers, MGK's performance was everything anybody could have wanted.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
The only act to have a fully equipped live band, with MGK himself playing the guitar, brought a sound that I can only explain as the love child of Trap music and Metal to the ears of festival attendees. Not only did he play his best hits, he also covered some Blink 182 which only added to the crowd's excitement. MGK's performance was not one to miss and was something any music lover could respect and appreciate.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Finishing off the weekend was EDM superstar and trailblazer, Skrillex. His engaging and uplifting performance made him the perfect man for the job. The juxtaposition of his heavy bass fueled mixes and his sweet, kind demeanor was enticing and only drew his fans in more and more.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Skrillex was really unlike any other EDM artist that performed throughout the weekend. Apart from his unique mixes that included almost any hit song you could think of from a number of different genres, he also took the crowd on a trip packed full of emotion asking them to "shine a light for anyone who couldn't be there with them tonight" while still managing to keep their excitement level at a high.
His finale may have been the best of the weekend as he started things slow with the famous Queen ballad 'Bohemian Rhapsody', before mashing it up with his top track 'Bangarang', making the crowd go mental.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Extreme sports, EDM, Rap, and weather that has mood swings – what does one wear to a festival that combines all of this and is located on a beach? Well, whatever they want! It's hard to pinpoint a specific fashion trend that was followed. Some wore the typical Coachella inspired ensembles, others went full on rave. Here is what I can tell you; there was a lot of spandex, lace, crop tops, high waisted shorts, and bright colours.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
Photo Credit:KelownaNow
One thing is for sure, C.O.G certainly was not boring. It had so many different activities going on for festival goers to get involved in, from shopping the vendors tables to watching the bikini contest, or taking a free fall into a giant inflatable pillow.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
All in all, Center of Gravity 2016 was a weekend filled with incredible music, intense sports, and was fueled by some amazing people. Festival attendees can attest to this.
Photo Credit: KelownaNow
