Remembering the Regatta...

[dle]

Neat little video - it's sure to stir up some great memories!

https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/2 ... e-Okanagan


I've often wondered why they never rebuilt the Aquatic when it burned down.....

[Anonymous123]

Insurance and Liability are the most likely culprits.

[okotoks]

Why was the regatta cancelled?

[60-YEARS-in-Ktown]

It was built in a day when everything was a firetrap..
Then after a few decades of firetraps going up in flames, folks said hey its ain't a good idea.
Also it attracted a few undesirables ( the Regatta), that wreaked havoc.
So the city Fathers decided that we would be better off a no fun zone city,and shutting down every party that made noise.. which was ok to the wealthier more successful folks because they could not stay awake after 1 pm.

And they thought they had it made in the Shade.. and started build many tall buildings to have even more Shade..
And they thought things were pretty good ....

Until 10 years ago and the homeless started showing up, in ever increasing numbers.. and soon they had an even bigger, Year Round problem.....
And insert chuckle.... they thought we had it bad in 69 when 100 to 200 Hippies showed up and hung out for the Summer..lol..

[ifwisheswerehorses]

Why was the regatta cancelled?

Riots and then people showing up just for that. Idiots ruined it for the rest of us.

[dle]

Why was the regatta cancelled?

Much as I love a cold suds or whatever (right now being winter it's Carolans in hot chocolate!) - I have to say I think the fellow in the video is bang on. Once the Aquatic burned down it took the Regatta in a new direction more away from the water sports and focused on the midway/fair type atmosphere and along came BEER GARDENS. Beer gardens, unfortunately, beckon to those of us who don't have to get ripping sideways as well as those that have no OFF BUTTON and do have to get ripping sideways. It totally changed the landscape of the Regatta with all the drunken brawls, riots, and card-carrying moronic IDIOTS who tried to destroy - literally DESTROY - the downtown area just for fun.

What started out as a fun little area to stop for a quick cold one or two as you made your way around the events, the beer gardens instead turned into a stupid free-for-all of drunken, classless duffusses who ruined a legend for all of us.

[southy]

Pentictons Peachfest went through similar challenges, yet, organizers have done a real good job of creating a week long FAMILY event with minimum booze involvement.

[dle]

Pentictons Peachfest went through similar challenges, yet, organizers have done a real good job of creating a week long FAMILY event with minimum booze involvement.

That's great! How have they minimized the booze involvement?

[southy]

Two simple words - FAMILY EVENT!

This might help you understand all the occurs: https://www.castanet.net/news/Penticton ... Peach-Fest

[alanjh595]

[Anonymous123]

Pentictons Peachfest went through similar challenges, yet, organizers have done a real good job of creating a week long FAMILY event with minimum booze involvement.

Back in the day Peachfest would be a ten day event in August, when the peaches ripened. It would include waterski demonstrations at Skaha, an air show, a rodeo, Peach Queen contest, Carnival, as well as the parade and all the other events. The rodeo grounds were on the fields behind the Peach Bowl (Trade and Convention Center). It was a great family event.
Nice to see that the family tradition continues.