Summer in the Okanagan

July 2004 There is something for everyone in BC this summer. Reading through all the places to visit and events to attend, the only problem is in choosing among so many. There is music playing everywhere, it seems. A person could, if they wished, spend the entire summer traveling from one festival to another. For the 'Baby Boomers' there is the well-known 'Legends of Rock and Roll' party in Osoyoos, complete with Elvis impersonators and the famous Jordonaires. Then we go to the Merritt Mountain Music Festival that has to be seen to be believed! There is the Jazz Festival in Kaslo and the Heartland Festival in Kelowna, with Reba McEntire. For the 'western' enthusiasts, there is the Cowboy Campfire, with songs and poetry, at Rock Creek. Those traveling and RV folks heading north could attend the Discovery Coast Music Festival in Bella Coola, while doing a little fishing and whale watching? If you enjoy history with your holiday, then you have wonderful choices as well. If you have the chance to take the children or the grandchildren, these 'living museums' are the ideal way to introduce youngsters to the excitement of Canadian history. Nothing boring about these places! The action at Barkerville continues all summer, with two theatre performances each day in the 'saloon'. Kids can pan for gold, visit the old-time dentist, and older ones might ponder a walk through the cemetery, where so many headstones mark the graves of very, very young men and women. Combine Barkerville with the rousing 'Billy Barker Days' in Quesnel, and it will be a holiday to remember. For those traveling in the south, there is Fort Steele, named for the impossibly adventurous Sam Steele. The fort and 60 buildings have been restored to recreate the world of the 1890's. If anything happened in western Canada between 1880 and 1900, Sam Steele was there. He was the lone member of the fabled NWMP who met Sitting Bull's army of warriors following the Little Big Horn. He was at the Klondike Gold Rush, sitting at the top of the Chilkoot Pass making sure everyone who entered had sufficient supplies for the winter. When the Pass closed he moved down into Dawson to manage law and order and, before there was a bank, miners could keep their gold dust in an iron box under Sam's bed. Everyone knew it was there, but no one ever dared to touch it. He was there when the 'Last Spike' was driven to complete the CPR and, rather than retire, he and his band of soldiers set off for the Boer War. There is nothing dull about Canadian History when there are people like Sam! It is even possible to combine history and music by attending Penticton's popular show "The Song of the Sicamous" which runs through August 27th. If you plan to take summer visitors to this show get your tickets well ahead of time. Finally, for those of us that like the quiet life, there are garden shows and gardening, sports shows and fishing, and just sitting. Few things are more pleasant than sitting in the shade on a hot Okanagan summer day, enjoying a cold drink, looking at the beauty of the Valley, and counting our blessings. Have a joyous July, and don't forget your sunscreen! Pat Archibald, Editor

 

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