Peaches in Peachland

[matai]

Yesterday I was talking with another Peachlander, and we were discussing the lack of "peach" in Peachland.

Obviously, we talked about the actual fruit: Peaches.
Then it veered to the absence of any type of festival, carnival or activity that contains the word "peach".
And finally, how tourists are dissapointed thinking they will find peaches in Peachland, from comments we heard from them.

Knowing the rich orchard history of Peachland and how Peachland got its name, and for tourists who by reading the name thinks there are peaches in Peachland, would you like more "peach" references in Peachland?

If so, what are your suggestions? Then we can make it happen!

As an example, it could be to add a peach logo on each street sign before the street name, instead of simply having a plain blue and white sign.

Another example could be to have a nice peach tree on Beach Ave with an historic information panel explaining how Peachland got its name and how Peachland grew around orchards.

After all, Peachland is all about tourism, and the welcome sign (decorated with a peach logo), invites people to the Historic Peachland.

[TreeGuy]

When we moved to the Okanagan I was surprised that Peachfest was in Penticton, that doesn't make all that much sense.

[samsquench07]

I think it originally got its name in 1979, when a truck full of peaches crashed, on its side, and spilt them all where the old museum is today. Peach-Land.

[southernfrau]

The only fruit stand that still probably sold peaches on the highway near the restaurant closed out.
The tourist booth used to be on the boat launch parking lot back in the 70's.

No peach orchards left it seems. How about a peach pie contest? Peach Pit throwing contest?
I would think the Peach Festival name is probably trademarked and not usable. Peachland Peach Carnival would be okay. Best costume as a peach.

[Frisk]

J.M.Robinson, a mineral prospector, stopped at a settler’s cabin on Trepanier Creek and was given fresh peaches to eat grown on a tree beside the creek. He was so impressed with the delicious peaches that he decided to promote fruit growing instead of prospecting. He and his company purchased land and subdivided it into small orchard lots. Mr. Robinson named the new community Peachland and settlers soon arrived to plant trees and harvest the abundant fruit.

A severe cold winter in 1949-1950 killed or damaged many fruit trees which then required replanting. Most of the orchardists sought outside work while their newly replanted orchards got started once again. Slowly the orchards were abandoned as most owners found outside work more profitable than trying to live off the uncertain incomes generated by growing fruit.

Read more about Peachlands history here: http://www.peachland.ca/cms/wpattachments/wpID167atID312.pdf

[Persian Apple Country]

Let`s start with lighting up the Peachland signs at night, so people on highway 97 know that they enter our beautiful little town.