No Time to Hibernate: It is Event Season!
Having barely polished off our Thanksgiving leftovers, excess Halloween candy, and Black Friday bargains, there is still no time to hibernate. If we snooze, we lose the chance to take in all the special pre-Christmas activities with which the Okanagan is teeming.
I am particularly fond of the BC Wine Information Centre in Penticton Annual Open House. In offering advice to wine touring visitors to the region, it is always at the top of my list. It is a great place to orient yourself to wineries and what types of wine are available in BC before you begin your onsite visits. Should you regret at the end of your tour not buying a selection from a winery you visited, there is a good chance you can snap it up there. Plus, the staff are so knowledgeable about BC wine and cider, and the other products offered in the store. You will find an astonishing array of complementary items such as glassware, table settings, books, jewelry, crackers, cheese, and chocolate to name a few.
At the Open House, sample many products, and participate in draws and special savings. This year it was November 15 from noon to 5 pm. Even if you miss the event, it is a great place to shop for unique selections and there are often wine tastings. https://www.pentictonwineinfo.com/
Save-On Foods is another option to source BC wine and ciders. The Penticton Wine Department has its annual Friends & Family Appreciation on November 20: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17e3pNX1Ne/
Where To Get the Scoop
There are far too many events from now until Christmas to list them all here. However, here is a little cheat sheet on sources to seek them out. The events tab on the local tourism organizations is a great place to start:
Destination Osoyoos: https://destinationosoyoos.com/event/
Destination Summerland: https://visitsummerland.com/
Oliver Tourism: https://visitoliver.com/events-landing/
Similkameen Valley: https://similkameenvalley.com/things-to-do/events/
Tourism Kamloops: https://www.tourismkamloops.com/events/
Tourism Kelowna: https://www.tourismkelowna.com/events/
Tourism Vernon: https://www.tourismvernon.com/things-to-do/events
Visit Penticton: https://www.visitpenticton.com/event/
On these websites, you will also find information on the various touring companies that are still operating tours with a focus on the harvest and Christmas season.
Winery Associations and Breweries
While some wineries and affiliated businesses operate completely independently, many unite to leverage their marketing impact. These links offer helpful connections although they will not capture all the individuals.
Bottleneck Drive Summerland: https://www.bottleneckdrive.com/events
District Wine Village in Oliver offers the opportunity to visit wineries and other boutique operations all in one setting: https://districtwinevillage.com/events/
Kelowna Downtown Grapes & Grains: https://kelowna.com/articles/exploring-kelownas-wine-route-a-must-do-for-wine-lovers/
Kelowna Lakeshore Wine Route: https://www.facebook.com/lakeshorewines/
Lake Country Scenic Sip: https://www.scenicsip.ca/events
Naramata Bench Wines: https://naramatabench.com/events/
Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country: https://oliverosoyoos.com/
Similkameen Independent Winegrowers: https://www.similkameenwine.com/events/
Sip Southeast Kelowna: https://sipsoutheastkelowna.ca/calendar-of-events
The Heart of Wine Country: https://www.thewestsidewinetrail.com/events
Westside Wine Trail: https://www.thewestsidewinetrail.com/events
Social Media
If you are on social media such as Facebook and Instagram, seek out those organizations to follow. While membership clubs and specialized email lists often receive first notice, most organizations are quick to amplify the news on their social media streams.
News Streams like Gonzo Okanagan
News streams offer another option to find events with the caveat that they are only as good as the organizations contacting the media and investing in them to bring them to their attention.
Castanet: https://www.castanet.net/events/
Gonzo Okanagan: https://gonzoevents.com/
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.ca/d/canada–okanagan/events/
Art, Crafts, Farmers Markets, and Theatre
Be sure to check out the local art galleries, theatre companies, crafts groups, and farmers market associations, too. While most of the events by these groups will be captured by the local tourism posts, it pays to go to the source.
There is no shortage of things to do. Organizations are especially creative this time of year with special collaborations to attract your attendance.
Have fun out there. You can take a breather later!
