It has been a difficult couple of months in the Okanagan. Certainly, throughout British Columbia. The devastating firestorm that occurred mid-August and stretched from Osoyoos to Salmon Arm has left an indelible imprint on the psyches of many of us. Several of my friends and neighbours lost their homes and are still displaced. We all know someone who was directly impacted – either by evacuation or direct loss. The result is that it can be difficult to remain positive and still see the immense beauty that exists in our region.

During the summer, I had the most incredible experience seeing the play “Every Brilliant Thing” put on by The Caravan Farm Theatre in rural Armstrong. The setting, the acting, the stage, are all world class. If you are unfamiliar, “Every Brilliant Thing” is a play about a girl growing up with a mother who suffers from depression. As a way of coping (and helping her mother with her depression), the little girl sets about creating a list of “Every Brilliant Thing” she can imagine. As a tribute to one of the greatest regions in Canada, I wanted to start my own list of “Every Brilliant Thing” about the Okanagan (credit to Duncan Macmillan for his works and to The Caravan Farm Theatre for their excellent representation). Whether you call the Okanagan home, have visited the area in the past or are planning to settle here eventually, I encourage you to create your own list of “Brilliant Things” and celebrate the diversity of people, places, and things to do in one of the most truly remarkable places in the world.


Here we go:

The Caravan Farm Theatre (Armstrong)
The Armstrong Fair and Rodeo
Sicamous (what a cool name)
Shuswap Lake
Lake Okanagan
Myra Canyon trestles
The rail trail
The 1.5 kms of waterfront between the Delta Hotel and City Park in Kelowna
The District Wine Village in Oliver
Hiking to Paul’s Tomb
Summerland Christmas train
The Penticton sign
Boating to Peachland and having a picnic in the park
Rattlesnake Island
The Bennett Bridge
Earls on Top
Craft Beer Market
Frind Winery
Summerhill Pyramid
The Mara Lake pull off and picnic area
Turtle Bay Pub
Intrigue Winery
Spion Kop hiking trails
Home Hardware in Osoyoos (Seriously, it’s amazing!)
Sun-Oka beach
Rock The Lake
Peachfest
Big White
Silver Star
J-Wok Express (lower mission)
Sparkling Hill Resort
The “new” Costco
Cook Road boat launch and parking lot (Kelowna)
Knox Mountain Regional Park
Every dog friendly pub and restaurant
Two Eagles Golf Course and the 19th hole restaurant
Skaha Lake beach during the last week of July
Prospera Place
Westside Daze
Vine Kitz brew your own wine in West Kelowna
The Penticton channel float
LocoLanding Adventure Park (Penticton)
Rotary Beach
Tickleberry’s in Okanagan Falls
Orchard Park Mall
Canada Day at City Beach in Kelowna
Bernard St (Kelowna)
The Kangaroo Farm (Lake Country)
Picking fresh… cherries, peaches, apricots, apples, prunes…
Naramata 

This is just a start. I’m going to continue working on my list of “Brilliant Things” about the Okanagan. I look forward to hearing about yours.