The Nuttall’s cottontail is a rabbit species which in B.C. is only found in the South Okanagan-Similkameen. It is sometimes observed at the Osoyoos Desert Centre. The Osoyoos Desert Society is celebrating this bunny in its Easter fundraiser at the Sage Pub on Saturday. (Justin Wilde photo)
The Osoyoos Desert Society is tying a new fundraising event to the Easter Bunny.
Or rather the event Saturday night at the Sage Pub is being tied to the South Okanagan’s own bunny, the Nuttall’s cottontail, which exists nowhere else in B.C.
The name of the event is “Bunnies, Beer and Burgers,” says Lee McFadyen, president of the society.
“You get a beer and you get a burger, but you don’t get a bunny,” said McFadyen.
Instead, there will be a short presentation about this local rabbit species, which is often seen at the Osoyoos Desert Centre.
Tickets for the event are $20. It takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, the evening of Easter Eggstravaganza.
Tickets are available at JoJo’s Café, Yore Movie Store, at the door and by calling 250-495-0728.
The event will feature a live auction for local experiences rather than items. Among the experiences being auctioned are a beginner’s fly fishing lesson taught by Peter Beckett; a sailing experience offered by Ken Baker with a lunch from JoJo’s Café and wine from Kismet winery; three traditional archery lessons taught by gold medalists Brock Paton or Sarah Martin; family passes to Swiller’s Pond Petting Farm; and a sailing outing in a Sea Spray or catamaran offered by the Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club.
There will also be raffles and 50/50 draws.
McFadyen noted that Easter Eggstravaganza is for children, but this event will provide some evening fun for adults.
Funds raised will be used to help with improvements to the Osoyoos Desert Centre, McFadyen said, adding that an upgrade to the boardwalk is a major priority.
The non-profit society holds its major fundraising event, Romancing the Desert, in August, but this is the first time it is holding other events to raise funds, McFadyen said.
This year’s Romancing the Desert will see some substantial format changes, she added, although she wouldn’t provide details except to say that the event will now be held the first Saturday of August each year instead of being timed to coincide with the full moon.
“It will be the same theme of course,” she said. “But we’re going to change the format and I think that the changes are quite exciting.”
The Nuttall’s cottontail, also called the mountain cottontail, has a range that extends south to California. In B.C., however, it only occupies a small area roughly between Osoyoos, Summerland and Keremeos.
“He likes wild spaces,” said McFadyen. “Its range has been severely eroded by all the development that has happened… It’s not a species that harms human activities like gardening or orchards or vineyards. It’s very, very charming. It’s our rabbit and this is its home.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
