Heritage Week 2024

"Layer by Layer": Heritage Week February 19-25, 2024

Heritage Week Events

 

Saturday Feb 17th: 

2pm and 7pm Kelowna Canadian Italian Club: “The Casorsos: La Prima Famiglia” documentary will be screened at the Okanagan College Theatre at 2pm and 7pm. Join us for this fascinating story of how one Italian Family made a home here in the Okanagan Mission and set in motion a chain of migration that would form the foundations of an Italian community for the next 140 years. Tickets are $10 + GST  For more information check: kelownaitalianclub

1pm to 4pm Lake Country Museum Crawling Critters Come and learn about the natural world of bugs.  There will be arts, crafts, and learning stations available to explore the natural history of insects. Free family event. Also free ‘Stroll Guides’ during Heritage Week. For more information: Lakecountrymuseum&archives

 

Monday Feb 19th (Family Day): 

10am to 3pm Heritage Week Opening Event at the Kelowna Community Theatre: There will be displays by various organizations celebrating the heritage, culture and history of the valley. FREE Hot chocolate and hot apple cider will be available. For more information on Heritage Week, please visit:   okheritagesociety  or the individual participants’ websites.

10am to 3pm Crafting and Storytelling at Sncewips Heritage Museum: Free Family Day event will include a number of family-friendly activities: Storytelling by Coralee Miller and Crafting inspired by traditional practices, including making your own ‘Birch Bark’ basket.  For more information: sncewips.com/events

11am to 4pm “Families of the Okanagan” at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Celebrate BC Family Day with games, artifacts, activities and crafts and the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Learn all about Okanagan families past and present. Free event, for more information check: Kelowna Museums or 250.868.4836

La Nostra Famiglia Italiana: Our Legacy in Kelowna. Join us for our closing celebration of this exhibit and hear Kelowna Canadian Italian Club members present stories about significant historical Italian families of Kelowna. Free event, for more information check: Kelowna Museums or 250.868.4836 or kelownaitalianclub.com/legacy

11am to 4pm Lake Country Museum Crawling Critters Come and learn about the natural world of bugs.  There will be arts, crafts, and learning stations available to explore the natural history of insects. Free family event. Also free ‘Stroll Guides’ during Heritage Week. For more information: Lakecountrymuseum&archives

 

Tuesday, February 20th:

7 to 8pm Kelowna & District Genealogical Society, in partnership with the Okanagan Regional Library, Claire Smith-Burns will present a free zoom talk on, “Discover Your Ancestral Story”; to register, please go to the ORL’s Events Calendar: orl.evanced.info/signup/Calendar, scroll down to Tuesday, Feb. 20, 7pm.

Watch The Daily Courier for this year’s COHS Heritage Award Winners!

 

Wednesday, February 21st: 

8:30 to 11:30am Birding Walk- Heritage Week. Michael Howard of the Central Okanagan Naturalist Club in partnership with the Friends of Mission Creek will lead a walking tour to observe birds along the lower stretch of Historic Mission Creek. Free but Registration is required: regionaldistrictcentralokanagan  There are a limited number of spots. 

1 to 3pm Kelowna & District Genealogical Society will have their “Genealogists in Residence” at the Kelowna Downtown Library to give advice on starting (or making progress on) your Family History project. This is a free service on a first-come, first-served basis - no reservation required. For more information: genealogist-in-residence.

7 to 9pm Central Okanagan Heritage Society’s 40th Annual Heritage Awards presentation will take place at Benvoulin Heritage Church (2279 Benvoulin Road). Light refreshments will be available after the presentation. This event is open to all Heritage Week participants as well as the general public.  For more Information: cohs@telus.net or 250-861-7188. Admission by Donation

 

Saturday February 24th:

9am to 4pm “Gardening into the Future: Evolving practices to ensure sustainability” by the Kelowna Garden Club: Celebrating their 100th anniversary at Trinity Church.  Topics will include:Okanagan-specific gardening issues like drought-tolerant plants, pest management, vegetable gardening, and small-space container gardening.  Tickets are $50, For more information: kelownagardenclub

2 to 3pm Visite guidée du musée  Visit your museum in French! Join us for a guided tour in French as we dive into the history and culture of the valley at the Okanagan Heritage Museum. Topics include early settlers, the resurgence of local francophonie and the region’s incredible biodiversity.  Admission by donation. kelownamuseumsvisite-guidee-du-musee

4 to 6pm Westbank Museum and Sncewips Heritage Museum are celebrating this year's heritage week with this one-of-a-kind Trivia night hosted at Grizzli Winery. Partaking in fun & educational trivia questions dedicated to testing your knowledge of the history of Westbank, our extraordinary BC wine country and for our music lovers, bonus rounds with 10-second musical clips have been added! Free Event. For more information and to register: www.exploretock.com/grizzliwinery/event

 

Sunday February 25th:

1 to 2:30pm Kelowna Museums is offering a talk at the Laurel Packinghouse called “na̓ʔk̓ʷulamən (what we do) How Names Were Given: Winter is a time for storytelling. Immerse yourself in the captikʷɬ of How Names Were Given. This program is great for kids and families, as well as anyone looking for a deeper understanding of this story. $15 per person or $20 for a caregiver & child; registration is required.  For more information check: kelownamuseumsstorytellinghownamesweregiven or 250.868.4836.

2 to 3:30pm Kelowna Tree Protectors present a talk by arborist Anton Artuso with Microbe Tree Services on ‘big tree care’. Anton Artuso is a qualified and experienced arborist with expertise in working with big trees in Australia, Ontario and British Columbia. The event is free but donations to Kelowna Tree Protectors will be accepted with thanks. At the Benvoulin Heritage Church, 2279 Benvoulin Road. For more information check:   www.facebook.com/neighbourwoodsKelowna 

 

 

 On Going Events During the Week:

The Kelowna Downtown Library will have a number of “Heritage Personalities” displays from Feb. 18 to the 25th. These displays have been researched and created by members of Kelowna & District Genealogical Society. (Library is closed Family Day, Feb 19th)

 

See all the Heritage Week events on:

facebook.com/heritageweekokanagan

or

OKHeritagesociety.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heritage Week Brochure 2024.pdf

Heritage Week Participants and Events 2024 Downloadable PDF 

Heritage Week Sponsors and Participants

Central Okanagan Foundation
Central Okanagan Foundation
Thank you Central Okanagan Foundation for your financial support!
COHS Logo
Central Okanagan Heritage Society
The Central Okanagan Heritage Society, incorporated in 1982, is a non-profit Society and a Registered Charity. COHS’ mission is to “build awareness of the distinct heritage of the Central Okanagan through conservation, collaboration, advocacy and education for the benefit of current and future generations.”
Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club logo
Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club
CONC is a naturalists’ club based in Kelowna, BC, part of the Central Okanagan. Please note that we are a group interested in birds, botany, cycling, hiking, and snowshoeing. We organize a variety of weekly activities and hold monthly meetings to discuss club business and see a presentation on a topic of interest to the club. A few members, active or retired professionals, produce scientific articles.
City of Kelowna
City of Kelowna
Thank you City of Kelowna for your financial support!
FRAHCAS Logo
Friends and Residents of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area Society
The Friends and Residents of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area Society is an active group who monitor new development and promote the goals of the Abbott Street Heritage Conservation Area.While we have a large membership, we are considered by the City as a “special interest group” rather than a neighbourhood association, and our area is within KSAN’s boundaries. KSAN and FRAHCAS always try to support each other and as such have a long history of working together to promote conservation in this area.
Fintry
Friends of Fintry Provincial Park Society
We manage, conserve and promote the history of Fintry Manor House and heritage site.
Genealogical Society Logo
Kelowna & District Genealogical Society
KDGS, a non-profit charity, held its first meeting in 1984. Its mandate is to assist people in discovering their family history through educational opportunities, providing a resource centre and other support.
Kelowna Canadian Italian Club Logo
Kelowna Canadian Italian Club
The Kelowna Canadian-Italian Club, founded in 1966, is the social and cultural centre of the Italian community in Kelowna.   As friends, we carry on our cultural traditions by promoting the Italian language and culture, through food, music, and wine.
Kelowna Garden Club Logo
Kelowna Garden Club
The club was established in 1924 with the objective to promote and increase interest in and knowledge of gardening as well as the culture of plants and flowers of all kinds. They are celebrating their 100th Anniversary this year.
Kelowna Museum Logo
Kelowna Museums and Public Archives
Since 1936 as a community interest and since 1951 as a registered not-for-profit society, the Kelowna Museums Society has provided the region’s residents and visitors with on-going interpretation of the Okanagan and beyond. There are three museums: Okanagan Heritage Museum, Okanagan Military Museum, and the Laurel Packinghouse.
Kelowna Pipe Band Logo
Kelowna Pipe Band
The Pipe Band, established is 1923, is one of the oldest Pipe Bands in B.C. It is a not-for-profit society that supports local community and private events and is open to welcoming new and existing pipers and drummers. Over the decades the band has led many local parades and toured countries around the world including Japan, the Netherlands and the U.S. Now, they are keeping the tradition strong on home turf.
KSAN
Kelowna South-Central Association of Neighbourhoods
Our mandate is to maintain and improve the quality of life for residents and to preserve and promote the historic character of our older neighbourhoods.
Kelowna Tree Protectors Logo
Kelowna Tree Protectors
We educate the public about Kelowna’s tree canopy, significant trees in the city and how to care for trees.
Lake Country Museum Logo
Lake Country Museum
Since its inception in 1985, the Lake Country Museum & Archives has been active in collecting, preserving and presenting to the public, artifacts, manuscripts and photographs documenting the history of Lake Country.
Métis Association of Central Okanagan
Métis Association of Central Okanagan
The BC Métis Federation (BCMF) is a non-profit association that works with Métis communities to ensure the well being of its members. Our local Partner Community in the Okanagan is MACO - Métis Association of Central Okanagan. Our Mission is to work towards the advancement of Métis knowledge, language, culture, wellness, and self-determination today and for future generations.
Okanagan Historical Society logo
Okanagan Historical Society Kelowna Branch
OHS is one of the oldest societies in British Columbia dedicated to the preservation of local history. Incorporated in 1925, the society published twelve reports with articles about various historical topics and, after the Second World War, has published a report every year.  OHS researches and records local history and provides information via articles, books and calendars to educate people about the history of the area.
ORL
Okanagan Regional Library
Provide information through books, media and talks. Our libraries are a haven for curious minds.
Rutland Residents Association
Rutland Residents Association
We support community concerns and help with historical and heritage events in the city.
Sncewips Logo
Sncewips Heritage Museum
As an Indigenous owned and operated business, we hold space for syilx voices, connect our community to opportunity, and maintain a safe space for open, honest conversation. We encourage everyone who lives and plays in the Okanagan to drop-in, book a tour, and do their part to learn about the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the syilx people.
The Daily Courier Logo
The Daily Courier
Thank you Daily Courier for your sponsorship for Heritage Week advertising!
The Trophy Den Logo
The Trophy Den
Thank you Trophy Den for your sponsorship of the COHS Heritage Awards plaques!
Ukrainian Canadian Volunteers Association Logo
Ukrainian Canadian Volunteers Association
Our main goal is to relief poverty in Ukraine and Canada by helping people who lack necessities of life. We want to share the history of Ukrainian Canadian Immigrants (both the first immigrants and the modern immigrants) and spread Ukrainian culture and food within Canada.
Westbank Museum Logo
Westbank Museum
The mission of the Westbank Museum is to be a cultural centre for the community and provide a repository dedicated to the ongoing collection, preservation, and interpretation of Westbank and the surrounding area’s history.