Fun at O'Keefe Ranch

It's the second event of its kind this summer as O’Keefe Ranch hosts Family Fun Day on Sunday, Aug. 20th in celebration of the ranch turning 150 years – the same age as Canada.

A grant from Community Foundation of the North Okanagan means kids can play all day at the ranch for free.

“We have a variety of activities related to ranching and local history that we don’t normally offer on a daily basis. Things like learning the Morse code, taking a stagecoach ride, making butter, or learning the two-step,” said Glen Taylor, the ranch's general manager.

“All the activities taking place at Family Fun Day are just that – good old fashioned fun for the whole family.I encourage everyone to bring someone new to the ranch, to learn and explore how people lived in the past.”

Activities also include:

• sing-a-long dance party for children by “Kiki the Cowgirl”
• storytelling of “Stone Soup” by Beverley Peacock
• two-step lessons by Lorna Robb of Cheek to Cheek Dance Studio for both children and adults
• tractor rides and tours of the ranch by horse-drawn wagon or tours of O'Keefe Mansion

Kids can create their own pastel landscapes in the O’Keefe Kids Korner, inspired by the exhibition 'Leading Ladies' on view in the Greenhow Museum.

Miniature horse, Sherriff Wally, will be on-site for selfies with his fans, and pony rides are available for the youngest guests.

The North Okanagan Chapter of the BC Carriage Driving Society will practice their driving skills in a derby competition in the Greenhow Arena.

You can also try your hand in the scavenger hunt exhibition entitled 'The History of O’Keefe Ranch in 50 Objects', where most of the items are on display in the museum but others are hidden in various locations.

Another big draw is the ranch's massive corn maze.

More information can be found online.