This weekend, Canada’s houseboat capital welcomes the return of the Sicamous Antique and Classic Boat Show.
It’s the second year for the show, which organizer Paul Harrison says will be much like last year’s successful event, with up to 40 boats dating back to the ’30s on display at the Main Street landing wharf, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 10 to 12.
“Last year was a pretty good success, it was very well attended,” says Harrison, who hope the show will bring some positive attention to the community. “The town was very supportive and has been even more so this year and hopefully events like this will draw favourable attention to Sicamous. “I think they’ve been given a bad rap in the media because people thought the whole town was obliterated by the flood when that wasn’t the case.”
The show ran in the Okanagan up until 2007 when, due to a lack of dock facilities, it had to be relocated, explains Harrison, a member of the Okanagan Antique and Classic Boat Society who summers in Sicamous.
“The Shuswap is beautiful and a lot of people, even in B.C., haven’t been up here and we thought it was a natural venue for this type of show,” says Harrison. “The Main Street landing is so well protected, it is a great venue for people to come and look at boats, and also a great place for the boat owners to go and view the boats. So that’s why we brought it up here.”
In addition to the boats, Harrison says there may be a few classic cars on display upland. And he’s considering expanding the show next year to turn it into more of a “keels and wheels” attraction.
Hot on the heels of the Sicamous Burnout – from bikes to boats – Harrison says he’s impressed with Sicamous’ willingness to attract different summer events and festivities.
“I think it’s key to this town in getting some growth back and getting some momentum, and I find they’re very easy to work with and I like their progressive attitude towards events like this,” he said.
Harrison also commended the Sicamous chamber, which is hosting the Moose Mouse Sand Fest on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Sicamous Beach Park.
This marks the ninth year for the sandfest, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. As always, the event will include its famous sandcastle competition, sponsored by Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union. There will be various bounce-and-play toys in the park, sponsored by Waterway Houseboats, the Sicamous Volunteer Fire Department will be setting up its very popular bubble area, and there will be a vendors market with a variety of tantalizing eating options to satisfy one’s hunger.
For more information, visit http://www.sicamouschamber.bc.ca/events/.