It was a scorching hot day in Osoyoos for the 65th Cherry Fiesta, though the 36 degree heat fell a bit short of the record temperatures that had been forecast.
The event coincides with Canada Day and featured a parade, fun and games, live performers and a fireworks finale at dusk.
With the humidity that day, a water fight with firefighters was a perfect way to cool off. Osoyoos firefighters dressed as drag queens while Anarchist Mountain firefighters also participated, but dressed in more normal firefighting gear.
The parade was headed off by Osoyoos RCMP in red serge, while many businesses and organizations followed with elaborate floats.
(Photos by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Claudine Neilson, secretary treasurer of the Osoyoos Lions Club had pancake making down to a science at the club’s pancake breakfast during Cherry Fiesta.
Dozens of kids and adults engaged in a water fight before the Cherry Fiesta parade. All guns were aimed at the Osoyoos firefighters, who dressed as drag queens and used their heavy artillery. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Kids aimed high-powered squirt guns at each other and at firefighters before the Cherry Fiesta parade. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Firefighters dressed as drag queens fire back with pumps and hoses in a major water onslaught at Cherry Fiesta. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
A team of water marksmen fires long-distance rifles at the firefighters. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Kids and firefighters shoot each other with water at close range. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Representatives of the Osoyoos RCMP Detachment wore their red serge uniforms – an appropriate colour for Canada Day and the 65th Cherry Fiesta. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Children ride a parade float decorated in Canada Day red and white. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
A young woman hands out colourful balloons to those watching the parade. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Hockey may be the last thing on many people’s minds during a blistering hot day, but the Osoyoos Coyotes were out to greet the crowds at the Cherry Fiesta parade. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Children of all ages watch the Cherry Fiesta parade in excitement and anticipation. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Osoyoos firefighter Chris Hanson tried to prove that redheads have more fun when he and other firefighters dressed as drag queens for the Cherry Fiesta parade. A pre-parade water fight gave kids and adults alike a chance to cool down on a blistering hot day. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
A girl cools off with a drink of bottled water and a shower from the hose of one of the Anarchist Mountain Fire Department trucks. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
An Anarchist Mountain firefighter aims his hose into the air to cause a refreshing rain. Temperatures reached about 36C — not as hot as forecasted, but there was substantial humidity for this dry part of the country. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Members of Osoyoos town council served up a giant cake, giving a slice to anyone willing to stand in line. This is the 65th Cherry Fiesta, although in the early days it was called the Cherry Carnival. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Councillor Sue McKortoff hands out cake to those in line while councillors Michael Ryan, Mike Plante and CJ Rhodes cut it and put it onto plates. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Mikkal Kassam spits a cherry pit as the first contestant in the pit spitting contest. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
It’s all in the shape of the lips and movement of the head when it comes to cherry pit spitting. Emma McLaren fires off a pit in the spitting contest. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Local singer Kayla Turnbull entertained the crowds at Gyro Park in the middle of the afternoon. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Charlie Burton (right) still has more cherry pie left as Matteo Rabbai (left) inhaled his pie in a couple quick gulps. Rabbai won the pie eating contest for his age group. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
At a round for women in the cherry pie eating contest, the women showed they could be just as gross as the men. Contestants had to keep their hands behind their backs as they raced to eat pies. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
Cherry Fiesta ended with a spectacular fireworks display over Osoyoos Lake. (Photo by Richard McGuire, Osoyoos Times)
