SS Sicamous
Image Credit: Steamfest
April 10, 2014 - 3:15 PM
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan’s oldest locomotive is celebrating its 100th birthday this spring.
On May 19, the public is welcome to a free tour and show at the SS Sicamous between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. A Centennial Launch Party at the SS Sicamous will be held the following weekend on Saturday, May 24. There will be wine and beer tastings, food and live music.
The events are part of Okanagan Steamfest — the centennial celebrations for the SS Sicamous, SS Naramata and the Kettle Valley Railway system, all of which are turn 100 in 2014 and 2015. Steamfest starts with Steamfest Week and an outdoor Steam Show on Victoria Day. Local residents are welcome to register homemade steam-craft and gadgets online.
“The museum community in the Okanagan is very excited to be celebrating the history of steam travel to the region. The centennial of the SS Sicamous Sternwheeler and the Kettle Valley Railway is such a unique aspect of Okanagan heritage — what better way to recognise Steamfest than by bringing together a field full of pumping steam engines,” said Peter Ord, Curator of the Penticton Museum.
The SS Sicamous was built and launched from Okanagan landing May 19, 1914. She transported passengers, including WW1 soldiers, and cargo to market, up and down Lake Okanagan for three decades.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Meaghan Archer at marcher@infotelnews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014