For more than 60 years there has been a July 1 celebration to coincide with Canada Day festivities in Osoyoos and this year will be no different as the 64th annual Cherry Fiesta bursts into town Sunday.
“This year’s going to turn out just fabulous,” said Nancy Katerenchuk, president of the Osoyoos Festival Society.  “Osoyoos definitely comes alive, that’s for sure.”
The annual Cherry Fiesta started back in 1949 as a way to celebrate the annual blooming of the local cherry plants, which cover much of the land in and around Osoyoos. The festival was originally called the Cherry Carnival, but the name was changed during the 1980s when the Osoyoos Spanish Development Society gave the festival more of a southwest flavour.
Although the festival has been known as the Canada Day celebration for years, the event actually kicks off the night before with the Osoyoos Royalty Pageant at the OSS Mini Theatre at 6:30 p.m.
“We definitely support our royalty within Osoyoos,” said Katerenchuk.
Following a night of royalty, the 64th Cherry Fiesta will begin with the delicious annual $5 pancake breakfast hosted by the Osoyoos Lions Club from 7-11 a.m. at town square.
Following the breakfast is the annual parade, but before that, it’s time to get a little wet.
“Our traditional water fight will again take place this year and that starts before the parade,” said Katerenchuk.  “It starts at about 10:50 a.m. and goes to about 11 a.m.  It’s short, sweet and very wet.”
For years the water fight was held during the parade, but Katerenchuk said because of certain floats and spectators getting wet against their will, it is now held prior to the parade and ceases once the parade starts.
“Once the parade starts there’s no water at all so no one has to worry about getting wet,” said Katerenchuk.
The “water zone” for the traditional water war is between Home Hardware and Shoppers Drug Mart on Main Street, so if you don’t want to get soaked, it’s highly recommended people not stand there prior to the parade, said Katerenchuk.
Following the big splash down is the famous Cherry Fiesta parade, which Katerenchuk said already has 40 confirmed entries – a number she only expects to grow as the big day draws near.
“I have a feeling we could match or exceed last year’s entries, which we had close to about 85,” said Katerenchuk.
Last year the phone was ringing off the hook for the week prior to the parade and she expects the same thing to happen this year.
Parade entries will be accepted right up until parade time on July 1, but she would prefer people to get them in as soon as possible so she can plan ahead of time.
Following the parade is a day of fun and excitement across the entire town.
Down at Gyro Park there will be a slew of different activities and events, including craft and food vendors, the Elk’s beer garden, entertainment at the Gyro Bandshell from noon until 10 p.m., the cherry pie eating contest at 2:30 p.m., the cherry pit spit at 3 p.m., and of course, to finish the day off, the second largest fireworks display in Canada, which begins sometime around dusk (10 p.m.).
Katerenchuk said she expects the festival to draw between 8-10,000 people this year. A big part of the draw for people is the fact that everyone is in the mood to celebrate Canada’s birthday, and what better place to do it than in Canada’s warmest town?
“This is a celebration everybody has enjoyed for years,” said Katerenchuk.
Finally, Katerenchuk said she would like to remind everyone all lanes on Highway 3 (Main Street) through Osoyoos will be closed at the lights between the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 3 and the junction of Highway 3 and Kingfisher Drive to accommodate the parade route from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
“Everybody relax, enjoy themselves, try to find a place to park if you can and just be safe with all the traffic and everything going on,” said Katerenchuk.