Pigs, history collide in app

Photo: Contributed - Kelowna Museum

Pigs on Bernard Avenue in Kelowna's early days.

Pigs will run down Kelowna's Bernard Avenue as part of Heritage Week.

Not for real, but in a virtual reality partnership between Kelowna Museums Society and edutainment gaming company QuestUpon. 

Pigs On Bernard is a historical quest that combines cutting edge technology called augmented reality, (where virtual objects live and move in the real world), with Kelowna’s history and heritage. It’s basically a walking tour guided by your smartphone, turned into a game.

“The partnership of Kelowna Museums and QuestUpon is innovative and inspiring. By pairing up cutting edge virtual technology with the telling of the story of Kelowna’s rich, cultural heritage, we bring the past to life in a brand new way,” says Linda Digby, executive director of Kelowna Museums Society. 
 
All this week, anyone who completes the Pigs on Bernard tour and comes into the Okanagan Heritage Museum will have a chance to enter their name into a draw to win their own herd of chocolate pigs from Annegret’s.
 
The tour begins on Bernard Avenue and guides the user through the downtown area, finishing their experience at the Museum.
 
One enthusiastic QuestUpon user stated, “I really love the treasure hunt; watching my position on the map dynamically change as I walk around. The trivia is fun and educational. My daughter loves it. Highly recommended.”  Another user commented, “Watching pigs running down Bernard was a blast. Try it… you will be amazed!"
 
Get started by downloading the free QuestUpon app for Apple or Android smartphones.

This week in Heritage Week.

The theme is "Main Street at the Heart of your Community."