There are New Year’s Eve events in Osoyoos for different tastes this year, but tickets are going quickly for some of them.
As in past years, both the Royal Canadian Legion and the Osoyoos Seniors Centre are holding live music events to see in the New Year.
This year the Portuguese Canadian Cultural Society is also hosting a New Year’s Eve dinner and dance at the Sonora Community Centre.
Both the Owl and Sage pubs plan events with DJs.
While the major resorts aren’t planning public events to ring in the New Year, at least one, Mica Restaurant at Spirit Ridge, plans a special New Year’s Eve dinner.
The Osoyoos Legion is holding an event with Dale Seaman and Hwy. 97 playing pop, rock and country music.
Tickets are $25, which includes a late snack and also a free pick-up and ride home. Doors and the bar open at 7 p.m. and the event is in the hall upstairs.
Lori-Ann Parker, canteen supervisor, said there are 110 tickets for the event, but as of last Thursday there were only a few remaining and the event is likely to sell out.
Tickets, if available, can be purchased from the canteen.
There were a few more tickets available last week for the dinner and dance at the Osoyoos Seniors Centre, but that’s only because ticket sales were suspended for a while after the original performer, Rick Wood, had an accident.
Instead, local singer Diane Ball will be performing.
Tickets are $25. Doors open at 6 p.m. and there’s a buffet dinner with ham, scalloped potatoes and other foods at 7 p.m., said Bonnie Rhys, an organizer of the event.
The event is limited to 80 tickets to allow room for dancing. People wanting tickets can call the Seniors Centre at 250-495-6921 and pick them Monday to Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The Portuguese Canadian Cultural Society dinner and dance is billed as a family-friendly event with all ages welcome.
Doors open at 6 and dinner is at 7 p.m., with dancing following. The dinner is catered by Relvas Catering of Kelowna and music is provided by Randy Farmer of Sun FM. There’s a midnight snack and toast to ring in the new year.
Ticket prices are $40 for members and $50 for non-members. Children aged six to 12 are half price and children five and under are free. Tickets are available at Imperial Office. Only 200 tickets will be sold and they are not available at the door.
The Owl Pub will feature DJ Embassy. A $10 cover charge includes a mini bottle of champagne and a snack buffet. People can buy tickets in advance from the bartender or at the door, said Mayling Leong, bartender.
There’s also a DJ at the Sage Pub this year, said Allan Redekopp, one of the owners.
Instead of a fixed cover charge, it’s by donation in exchange for food and party favours.
Unlike last year, which featured a rhinestone cowboy theme and a roast pig, this year’s event is a little more traditional, he said. A midnight buffet is likely to feature finger foods like pizza, snacks, appetizers and garlic ribs.
Redekopp said the Sage could stay open until 4 a.m. if there are enough people, though he admitted he’d like to get home before that.
While the major resorts don’t have events to see in the New Year, Mica Restaurant at Spirit Ridge plans a special three-course prix fixe dinner for $40 a person.
Terry Hayashi, food and beverage director, said the meal is intended for people to enjoy before they go elsewhere to ring in the new year.
The dinner is available from 5 p.m. until the last seating at around 10 p.m., he said.
“It’s meant for a pre-midnight celebration,” said Hayashi. “Of course, if we have the people here, I would love to stay open and keep everybody here.”
Some other local restaurants and wineries may also be hosting smaller events. Check for ads in this week’s Osoyoos Times for details.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
