Why not slip away for a few days on Penticton’s beautiful beaches? Check out the great July room specials offered by the Tiki Shores Beach Resort, located right at Penticton’s Okanagan Beach in the heart of the destination resort district.
Canada’s largest and most fun regional bridge tournament runs from June 9th to the 15th. The 2008 Penticton Regional Bridge Tournament hosted by District 19 of the ACBL will take place at the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre. Visitors from around BC, Washington State and Alaska will join local bridge players for a chance at team trophies. It’s not all serious bridge, however: players will enjoy food, wine, entertainment and plenty of fun while enjoying all the local attractions that Penticton offers, including wine tours, golf and plenty to see, do and enjoy.
Upcoming events of note for visitors are the Peach City Beach Cruise, June 20 - 22 and the Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival which runs June 27 - 29.
The Beach Cruise, which bills itself as: “Canada’s premier three day family oriented Car Event” with “hundreds of the finest hot rods, millennium, antique and classic cars from all over Canada and the United States” has thrilled thousands of fans since it began.
Celebrating “the life and music of the greatest entertainer ever known… Elvis Presley”, the 6th Annual Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival brings together top tribute artists and thousands of Elvis fans for a fun-filled 3-day event.
This year’s Spring Wine Festival, which has now grown to 10 days and more than 90 events, was a resounding success with close to sold events attracting thousands of food and wine fans. Bacchanalia, held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and a perennial favourite, was again sold out and a new event, Chefs and Wine at the Penticton Trade and Convention centre attracted almost 200 people to sample culinary works from three outstanding Okanagan chefs and wines from 26 participating wineries. The event was sponsored by Terasen Gas. The chefs worked in a portable kitchen that allowed them to give a televised commentary as they worked.
In Penticton, the May long weekend is the start of the summer season. Visitors arrive to soak up the sun on the beach, head out to visit wineries and explore wine country, the season’s first hikers and bikers venture along the Kettle Valley Trail, climbers tackle Skaha Bluffs, golfers tee up on the beautiful, challenging courses and shoppers throng the Saturday Farmers Market.
The May long weekend also features the Meadowlark Festival that celebrates the Okanagan’s superb environment with its abundance of unique habitats, plants and wildlife.
When you envision BC’s Okanagan Valley, probably the last thing you’d expect to find would be a fleet of ships. Yet for much of its history vessels were the lifeblood of the Okanagan and lucky visitors to Penticton have the opportunity to see and explore a few of these heritage vessels firsthand.
Just at the western end of Okanagan Beach sits the Okanagan Inland Marine Heritage Park, home to the completely restored steam sternwheeler, S.S. Sicamous and her companions, the steam tug Naramata and Tug No. 6 as well as the stern saloon of the S.S. Okanagan - the sole remnant of this once-proud sternwheeler.
Stepping aboard the Sicamous is a wonderful journey back in time, to the beginning of the last century. Visitors can explore the elegant ol’ gal, from her boilers and engines to her main deck with its staterooms and even turn the wheel and blow the whistle in the pilothouse. All around the boat are period furnishings and historical displays, including an incredible collection of photographs (many of them showing the Sicamous on the lake) and photography equipment. Youngsters of all ages will delight in the scale model of the historic Kettle Valley Railroad located on the cargo deck.
The steam tug Naramata is also on display, and one can quickly understand the working conditions that Okanagan sailors had to contend with in their vital occupations. The restoration of CN Tug No. 6 is currently in progress as is the painstaking restoration of the S.S. Okanagan’s stern saloon.
In fact the story of the saving and restoration of these legacy vessels is interesting all on it’s own.
The Okanagan Inland Marine Heritage Park is a must see for visitors - actual surviving examples of BC’s heritage are rare and in an age of cell phones and Internet connections, these boats remind of much simpler times. Visit the Park’s website for more information.
The Crown Resort Motel at Penticton’s Okanagan Beach is offering guests a “Spring Fling” Getaway: pick any three nights* in April, May or June to enjoy the Celtic hospitality of the Crown Resort Motel, spend your days enjoying the Okanagan and your last night is on us (Stay for 3/Pay for 2). For more information or to book your room go to www.crownmotel.ca or call 1-866-447-9610
* Some date exclusions apply.
Penticton and the surrounding wine country is abuzz with excitement as the 2008 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival starts today. Expanded from its original four-day framework, this years spring festival will run from May 1st - 10th with a host of new events to chooses from.
One event you don’t want to miss is Hillside Estate Winery’s LobsterFest. This will be the winery’s 9th annual Lobsterfest, held every year during the Spring Wine Festival. Since these are such popular events, they’ve extended it to four evenings of fabulous wines, fresh Atlantic lobsters and fantastic entertainment. These events sell out quickly, so book your table early. See the menu and make a reservation on the links below or by calling (250) 493-6274: www.hillsideestate.com/restaurant_menu_lobster.asp
http://www.hillsideestate.com/RestaurantReservations.asp Hillside will also be hosting a Barrel Tasting on Saturday, May 3rd with winemaker Kelly Symonds from 1-3 PM at a cost of $5 per person.
Also of special note, Hillside is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year. This year the Spring Wine Festival will see the release of their 2007 Reisling, 2007 Gewürztraminer, 2007 Muscat Ottonel, 2007 Rosé, 2006 Old Vines Gamay Noir, 2006 Cabernet Franc, 2006 Pinotage and 2005 Reserve Merlot. No wonder Hillside was voted “Best Winery in the South Okanagan”!
It has taken over 4 years, but the trestles which burned in the devastating forest fires of 2003 have been replaced and it is now possible to traverse the whole Kettle Valley Trail once again. Good news for hikers and bikers who have enjoyed the wonderful experience of the Okanagan that the trail offers.
Many thanks to the Myra Canyon Trestle Restoration Society and all those who have contributed to rebuilding this fascinating piece of British Columbia’s heritage!
May is a good month for lovers… wine lovers and lovers of the outdoors specifically.
The 2008 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival kicks off May 1 and runs through to May 10 with over 100 wine and food & wine events to take part in. Highlighted by new releases from the wineries, plus the gorgeous spring sunshine and Okanagan Wine Country scenery, you’ll enjoy everything from opportunities to taste wines, enjoy everything from hors d’ouevres to full gourmet dinners, many hosted by the famed winemasters who have crafted the fine wines you’ll sample with the meal. Contact the Penticton Visitors Centre for local event information.
The 11th Meadowlark Festival runs May 15 - 19 (The Victoria Day Weekend) and with over 90 events to choose from this festival is a delight for folks who love the outdoors with plenty of opportunities to experience the magnificent natural beauty and diversity of our Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys. Choose from among bird watching, exploring Canada’s only desert near Osoyoos or sub-alpine meadows, learning about local flora and fauna, horse-back riding, geology, First Nations cultural events, literary, childrens’ and family events. It’s a great excuse to getaway to Penticton! Check our events page for more information.