Your COG 2018 recap
Story and Photos by: Savannah Bagshaw Video created by: Nick Csek
Waking up on Monday morning is hard enough, but waking up on the Monday following what may have been the best weekend of your summer? Now that is just downright awful.
For those who attended Center of Gravity this weekend, the feeling mentioned above is all too real, as just last night you were dancing your worries away alongside French Montana before bidding a bittersweet farewell to another year of the festival.
We don’t want to keep reminding you that you have another 362 days left to go until you get to party it up in the sunshine on the shores of Okanagan Lake in between extreme sporting events and stellar sets.
So instead, we want to help you reminisce one last time on the glorious sun-soaked weekend we got to be a part of.
Here it is, your 2018 COG recap!
DAY 1
Although the Friday of COG is the shortest day for the festival it is undoubtedly the most energetic. Attendees fresh off of work, or out of the car after travelling many kilometres to get here all have one thing on their mind— letting loose.
Wristbands on, sunscreen slathered, and water bottles replenished, a massive crowd of just over 8,000 flooded the main stage to kick off their weekend.
An EDM lovers dream, Friday night hosted some of the hottest DJs and producers topping charts today, including LOUDPVK, Kill The Noise, Illenium, Tails, and EDM titan ZEDD.
Getting back into the swing of things, day one is all about familiarizing yourself with the festival grounds and fashions.
Trends we picked up on this year included a lot of throwbacks to the 90s, bathing suits and body suits with fanny packs, bandanas and a ton of glitter to accessorize.
Finishing off Friday night with some music magic, ZEDD launched us into the weekend with a feel-good set of jams, bright lights and streamers.
Although day one was incredible, it did not go without tragedy.
Sadly, a young female attending the festival passed away after facing a medical emergency and being rushed to the Kelowna General Hospital.
Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to her family and friends.
DAY 2
Day one may take the trophy for that feeling of wonder, but day two is when things really get started. Ramping up bright and early with Center of Gravity’s signature extreme sports, Saturday kicks off the first official day of all COG activities.
From Beach Volleyball and Rugby Sevens to Skateboarding, BMX and of course, gravity defying Motocross, it was near impossible to feel any trace of boredom between adrenaline inducing events.
Click here for our full sports recap!
The Beach stage also woke up with the sun on Saturday, hosting a large spectrum of local, Okanagan talent, including KelownaNow’s own, Dylan McCullough (you may know him as Maple Jordan), along with the steaming Bikini Contest, a COG tradition.
To help you slay that festival fashion game, the Vendors Village returned this year with local businesses bringing their unique wares on site with everything from a glitter tent for an added sparkle and accessories to take your outfit to a whole new level.
We can’t forget to mention the Food Truck field as well, from poutine and pizza to pad thai, lemonade and snowcones, all your cravings and hankerings were satisfied.
And last but not least, Saturday gifted us with the ultimate memory that we can cherish for a lifetime — the chance to see all nine original members of the Wu-Tang Clan!
A remarkable experience for fans, media and those even listening from the park, the original pioneers of Hip-Hop set the COG stage ablaze by performing their debut album, 36 Chambers, in its entirety with as much passion and guts as they had 20 plus years ago.
DAY 3
Although Sunday meant a bid farewell to COG 2018, attendees chose to give it their all one final time rather than dwell on the approaching end.
After Saturday's shenanigans, Sunday had a bit of a slower start for attendees, however all the sporting activities, vendors and food trucks were ready to welcome their patrons one last time.
Once the concert bowl opened it's gates, things got turned up a few notches.
A different vibe than the first two afternoon's of COG, Sunday was a rave paradise with DJ's Lazy Syrup, Spag Heddy and Jauz dropping the beat and bringing massive whomps for fans to have one last head bang session to.
Closing out the final hour of COG 2018, French Montana hit the stage bringing with him a fleeting but hype setlist.
Whether he was taking on A$AP Ferg, paying homage to fellow COG headliner Juicy J or laying down one of his originals, Montana closed out a truly "unforgettable" weekend for an incredible group of people.
Another stellar year for the books, COG 2018 brought Kelowna sunshine, rad music, high intensity sports and some incredible people.
We can’t wait to see you all again next year!
