An American flag can be seen in Peachland, Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 as a film crew shoots a Hallmark movie titled "Romance at Crystal Cove."
Image Credit: SUBMITTED
September 02, 2020 - 5:24 PM
The stars and stripes can be seen flying in Peachland, and the mayor is asking residents not to make a big deal about it.
A Hallmark movie is being shot and the production crew is turning Peachland into a small American town so the flags are prerequisite.
American flags will be flying at three locations in Peachland for the duration of the CMW Summer Productions Inc. shoot for Romance at Crystal Cove, a film set in an American seaside town.
Mayor Cindy Fortin took to Facebook asking residents to "not make this a bigger issue than it is."
"While I knew that a Hallmark special was being filmed in Peachland, I did not know that they would be flying an American flag," Fortin said in the post. "No, we are not being invaded. This is just an innocent, feel good, Hallmark special. Nothing more."
Fortin pointed out movie productions provide a big boost to the local economy.
"If we want to take advantage of some of the economic benefit of the growing film industry in the Okanagan, we can’t start protesting things like a temporary flag for filming purposes, or the name of the town being changed to something American, or European, or elsewhere. We’ve had a few small films use locations in Peachland, and the names have been changed," she said.
Cheryl Wiebe, the director of community services in Peachland, echoed the mayor's comments saying flying the American flag is not a sign of disrespect. Peachland staff members reported some mixed reviews from residents when a flag went up.
“I’m sure that the flag is going to be a point of conflict," Wiebe said. "I’m sure some people will understand the value of the economic return while others may not appreciate that.”
Crews will be filming at Heritage Park and Ray Kandola Heritage Pier, Sept. 3 and 4, and possibly on Sept. 11 as well as other private locations.
Wiebe said in her 10 years at the District, this is the first time a film has been shot at Heritage Park, which she called exciting for the district.
There's no legislation preventing municipalities from changing flags, according to the Government of Canada.
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