The Dogfather
A.K.A. Heath Fletcher
Heath is the mastermind behind the Sundog Festival, the driving force who came up with the idea and put together the team that made it happen in 2022. With a strong background in event management, marketing, and creative direction, his passion for crafting unforgettable experiences and talent for planning strategically have played a huge role in the festival’s success. As our fearless leader, Heath keeps inspiring and guiding the Sundog pack to reach new levels of artistic innovation and community celebration.
Top Dog
A.K.A. Shawna Patenaude
Shawna is the hardworking Executive Director at the Arts Council of the North Okanagan and a crucial force behind the Sundog Festival. With a deep passion for the arts, Shawna keeps the dream alive by expertly managing operations and ensuring everyone is connected and ready to go. She’s great at bringing people and organizations in the arts community together, fostering collaboration and unity. Her dedication not only drives the Sundog Festival but also supports the success of BC Culture Days, making her a vital leader and advocate for the arts.
Mad Dog
A.K.A. Rusty Gahr
Dogma
A.K.A. Tanya Laing Gahr
Tanya has a profound background in stage and theatre, Tanya brings a wealth of creativity and leadership to the festival team. As a high-level strategist, she inspires everyone to connect deeply with their artistic side while ensuring that Indigenous Engagement and Reconciliation are integral to the festival’s ethos. Tanya’s dynamic presence and unwavering commitment to these principles make her an invaluable asset to the Sundog Festival, fostering a space where art and community thrive together.
Dog Control
A.K.A. Kristine Larson
Kristine is the organizational powerhouse behind the Sundog Festival. Known for her meticulous attention to detail, she ensures that everything runs smoothly. From managing agendas and meeting schedules to overseeing to-do lists and action items, nothing slips through the cracks under Kristine’s watchful eye. Her exceptional ability to coordinate the chaos means every aspect of the festival is perfectly in sync. And when it comes to herding cats, Kristine might just be the only one who could pull it off with a smile!
Lucky Dog
A.K.A. Erin Kennedy
Erin brings boundless energy and a keen eye for talent. A champion of contemporary circus and live performance, she’s led big conversations, served on industry boards, and even fetched the BC Touring Council’s Presenter of the Year award in 2022. Before calling Vernon home, Erin roamed stages from Montreal to Vancouver, crafting unforgettable theatre magic. Now, as part of the Sundog Festival team as Talent Acquisition Manager she’s on the hunt for the next show-stopping line-up!
Hotdog
A.K.A. Sierra Bronkhorst
Energetic, creative, and always moving full speed ahead, Sierra keeps Sundog Festival’s marketing and creative vision on course. With a sharp eye for detail and a hunger for developing great content, she ensures every project lands smoothly. Loyal to the team and full of drive, Sierra loves turning big ideas into festival magic.
Show Dog
A.K.A. Rebecca Barton
Charismatic, quick-witted, and always chasing the spotlight, Rebecca keeps tails wagging as Sundog’s MC and show host. With a sharp nose for marketing and a talent for fetching connections, she makes every event and conversation feel effortless. Loyal to her pack and full of drive, Rebecca ensures the show always goes off without a hitch—on air or on stage—earning treats and applause wherever she goes.
Big Dog
A.K.A. Jared Larsen
Friendly, dependable, and always ready to help, Jared is a gentle giant behind the festival’s logistics and communications. With a knack for handling challenges with calm authority, he keeps the moving parts in line with ease. Loyal to the pack and full of energy, Jared’s presence ensures everything runs smoothly—big ideas, big heart, and big results.
Barkitect
A.K.A. Evan Meyer
Loyal to the pack and driven by design, Evan has a nose for branding and a knack for fetching eye-catching graphics, he keeps the festival’s identity strong from posters to merch. Always ready to dig into new ideas and refine the details, Evan makes sure Sundog’s visuals stay sharp, consistent, and full of energy—giving the festival a brand that truly has bite.
