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Travel Story

Celebrating the Okanagan environment

PentictonÕs Meadowlark Festival is one of many in the Peach City

 

By Jack Christie

Photography by Louise Christie

Penticton, the ÒPeach City,Ó might just as easily be called the Festival City. In this town, thereÕs always some serious fun going on. Best known for its rockinÕ-good-time Peach Festival each August (now in its sixth decade), the city of 32,000 spread between Okanagan and Skaha Lakes also hosts Fest-of-Ale in April, multiday wine festivals in May and October, a campy Beach Blanket Film Festival in July, and a jazz festival in September. In addition, enough Ironmen (and Ironwomen) turn out annually for the August swim-bike-run triathlon to throw a compass seriously out of whack.

One of the cityÕs most successful gatherings is the Meadowlark Festival. Now in its eighth year, it features almost 100 events spread throughout the south Okanagan and neighbouring Similkameen Valley from May 19th to 23rd. The festival is staged by the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance, a group dedicated to promoting environmental awareness of one of CanadaÕs most endangered ecosystems. Although that hardly sounds as exciting as rolling out a barrel or casting a blanket on sun-baked sand, the festival, which attracts more than 3,000 knowledge-hungry visitors, couldnÕt be more engaging, particularly with those who enjoy celebrating the return of the western meadowlark, one of the most golden-throated denizens of the bird world. Consider what authors Nancy Baron and John Acorn have to say in Birds of Coastal British Columbia (Lone Pine Publishing, 1997): ÒMeadowlark songs are like cups full of music being poured from a pitcher. Once heard, they are not forgotten.Ó

Although this member of the blackbird group may be the festivalÕs poster child, a host of other life forms, such as toads, rattlesnakes, bats, bluebirds, and mountain goats, share top billing, at least when it comes to field trips that focus on these creaturesÕ respective habitats and which regularly are among the first to sell out. Such events are part of a showcase that focuses attention on an hourglass-shaped portion of the Okanagan Valley that lies between Summerland and Osoyoos (with Penticton at its hub) and serves as a concentrated area for bird and animal migration between the Cariboo and the Great Basin Desert to the south. With less than 10 per cent of the OkanaganÕs original habitat intact (a third of which lies undisturbed on Native lands), itÕs small wonder that this area is under increasing threat, especially as each year more land is developed into vineyards, golf courses, and residential property.

During a walking tour at a previous yearÕs event that focused on Native pictographs, Henry Michel, past co-director of the festival, pointed out that an astounding 25 per cent of CanadaÕs endangered species occur in the South Okanagan. Michel sees the festival as an occasion for community building. ÒIn the Okanagan language, penticton means Ôplace to stay foreverÕ and the Meadowlark Festival is an opportunity to understand what that really means.Ó

To that end, Michel hoped that one of the key things visitors take away from the festival is an understanding of ecological principles from an indigenous peopleÕs point of view. He was keen to draw attention to events that will take place around the EnÕowkin Centre (the Penticton Indian BandÕs educational facility whose goal is the revitalization of traditional ecological knowledge) and the nearby Locatee Lands on the shores of Skaha Lake. As part of this yearÕs festivities, a cultural gathering is planned at the Locatee Lands on the shore of Skaha Lake (May 22) which will feature sacred music by Native musician Selwyn Redivo, storytelling, arts and crafts, and traditional foods. (Although not on the official list of events at this yearÕs Meadowlark Festival, visitors should plan to view the EnÕowkin CentreÕs impressive art collection.)

Two of the highlights of the festival include a day-long Nature Expo (May 19) and the Okanagan Big Day Challenge (May 22) in which teams of birders from across Canada and the Pacific Northwest compete to see-and hear-the most species of birds over the course of 24 hours. In past years, winning teams have identified as many as 174 varieties.

Events are scattered throughout the south Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, including Princeton where the Vermillion Forks Field Naturalists host a dinner featuring a guest speaker and slide show (May 19). This yearÕs presentation is by naturalist David Pitt-Brooke, author of Chasing the Clayoquot: A Wilderness Almanac.

Those looking to spend some easy-going time in the saddle should check out the 35-kilometre cycle tour of the open forest and grassland section of the Kettle Valley Railway near Naramata (May 22). More ambitious types will gravitate towards the 20-kilometre pedal through the sagebrush grasslands and pine forests on the Osoyoos Indian Band Reserve with guide Ron Hall. This energetic ride leads along rugged trails through the scenic and wild desert plateaus. Cyclists will explore the area in an ecologically sensitive way while learning more about the cultural values of the Okanagan people.

For more information on events and field trip reservations, contact the Meadowlark Festival, 1-866-699-9453; www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca /. Note: Many events sell out well in advance of the festival. The EnÕowkin Centre (250-493-7181; www.enowkincentre.ca ) is located on Green Mountain Road. For general information on the South Okanagan, contact Tourism Penticton (888 Westminster Ave W; 1-800-663-5052; www.penticton.org ) Enophiles (and those who simply aspire to make informed conversation on the topic) should be sure to visit the Okanagan Wine Information Centre (250-490-2006), which shares space with Tourism Penticton, for an insight on the 300-plus varieties of wine produced in the region. ItÕs also a great place to plot a wine-tour itinerary.