Spring into Osoyoos this Season
The vibrant South Okanagan destination brings on the spring sun and blossoms along with cultural, food and wine experiences to savour
Spring has barely sprung in British Columbia, but in the South Okanagan community of Osoyoos, a warm welcome and many fresh-blooming seasonal activities are already waiting to be discovered.
Mark your calendar for the following springtime events:
Osoyoos Oyster Festival, April 19 & 20
The Osoyoos Oyster Festival returns with two delicious events, pairing West Coast oysters provided by Kelowna’s CodFathers Seafood Market with award-winning local wines.
The Sip & Shuck on Friday, April 19, from 5 to 7:30 pm, takes place at the Osoyoos Golf Club, with live music. Guests will enjoy freshly shucked oysters and local wine samples from Kismet Estate Winery, Nostalgia Wines, Nk’Mip Cellars, Gold Hill Winery and Road 13 Vineyards: vote for your favourite pairing! Tickets are $75 plus tax.
The festival’s signature event, the Pearls in the Desert Gala on Saturday, April 20, from 5 to 9:30 pm, takes place at Walnut Beach Resort (which offers special room rates in a weekend package). An Oyster Bar of Plenty presented by CodFathers is the centrepiece of a seafood-rich culinary offering with Okanagan-inspired canapés, a pasta bar, and wine pairings from River Stone Winery, Moon Curser Vineyards, Culmina Estate Winery, Gold Hill Winery, Nostalgia Wines, Kismet Estate Winery and more. Leslee Hatherly and Diane Ball provide live entertainment throughout the evening. Tickets are $150 plus tax.
Tickets for both events are available at osoyoosoysterfestival.ca.
Pig Out Festival Weekend, May 3 to 5
The favourite Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country wine and food festival returns, with a whole-hog weekend full of delicious food and local wine experiences.
Pig Out Wine Dinner, on Friday, May 3, at The Bear, The Fish, The Root & The Berry at Spirit Ridge Resort. Chef Murray McDonald and team go snout-to-tail with an innovative menu, served with pairings specially presented by winemakers and proprietors from local wineries. Savour a range of pork delights, from terrine to crispy chicharron, alongside a whole suckling pig. To finish: maple bacon cheesecake or pecan bacon pie. Tickets are $109 plus tax and available here.
Pig Out Fiesta, on Saturday, May 4, happens at Cellar Door & More, home to Jackson-Triggs and Inniskillin, just north of Oliver. This year’s colourful theme brings a pork rib and artichoke paella from The Paella Guys, smoked bacon buns from Rollands Meats and red-wine pork belly with umami slaw from Arterra Wines chef Shawn Cheer, just to name a few must-try bites.
Tickets (adults 19+ only), include festival entry, tokens for food and wine sampling stations and shuttle service from Oliver or Osoyoos, here, for $109 plus tax.
Big Porker Breakfast on Sunday, May 5, at The Bear, The Fish, the Root & The Berry on Sunday, May 5 is the final opportunity to go whole hog. Sausages and molasses pork baked beans round out a full breakfast including eggs, toast and grilled tomatoes.
Reservations available here, with breakfast priced at $28 plus tax.
Tickets for the wine dinner and festival, as well as reservations for the breakfast, are available at oliverosoyoos.com/pig-out-weekend.
Osoyoos Farmers’ Market returns May 4
The popular weekly farmers’ market returns to Town Hall Square on May 4 and runs every Saturday through October 5 from 9am – 1pm. All products are made and grown locally, including a variety of artisan crafts, local fruit and vegetables, baked goods, and wine, cider, beer and spirits
Learn more at osoyoosfarmersmarket.ca.
Osoyoos Spring Festival, May 15 to 19
Hosted by the Osoyoos Arts Council, this annual event features several performers (including Juno Award winner Jack Semple on May 17 and Elvis tribute artist Steve Elliott on May 18) performing ticketed concerts at various venues around town. Plus, an admission-by-donation “Cultural Day” happens at Gyro Park on Sunday, May 19, featuring live entertainment, food options, cultural displays and an artisan market.
Details and tickets from $20 to $28 or “Golden Ticket” pass pricing at osoyoosartscouncil.com/osoyoos-spring-festival.
INAUGURAL EVENT: Osoyoos Smoke Off on the Lake, May 18
Indulge in the ultimate brisket competition at the inaugural Osoyoos Smoke Off on the Lake, taking place at Gyro Beach Park on Saturday, May 18 from 2 to 8 pm. Each ticket grants access to five sample servings of brisket prepared by local chefs, professional competitors and food truck operators, along with accompanying sides. In addition to delicious brisket, the event will include a Beer Garden, on-stage demonstrations, live music and a Kid Zone with a bouncy castle, a balloon artist and more. The funds raised from the event will go to support local community programs through the Rotary Club of Osoyoos.
Tickets are $45 per adult, $20 per child and free for kids under 6, available here.
