Built in 1938 by the Grindler Brothers as a grocery store, in 1942 this building was converted to a hardware store. In 1955 it became somewhat of a historic icon as it was expanded using reclaimed lumber and beams from historic
Camp McKinney. Founded in 1896, Camp McKinney is today a ghost town in the Boundary Country region of British Columbia. Established on the seemingly bright future of several gold mines, Camp McKinney thrived until about 1904, when the mines were played out and the miners and entrepreneurs moved on to other prospects.
For a number of years the building has been the home of
Home Hardware, a large Canadian hardware chain. The wording on one of the plaques indicates that Home Hardware itself was responsible for the mounting of the photos and plaques.
This, the story of the Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta, is the third one from the left, when facing the group of five. Still an annual event held each Canada Day (July 1st) the fiesta is today produced by the Kiwanis Club, Legion, Board of Trade, Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Osoyoos Board of Commissioners.
THE FIRST OSOYOOS CHERRY CARNIVAL WAS HELD ON JULY 1, 1949. ESTABLISHED AS A COMMUNITY EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE CHERRY HARVEST. THIS EVENT, NOW KNOWN AS CHERRY FIESTA, HAS HOSTED NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, FROM THE PARADE, TO THE CHERRY PIT-SPITTING CONTEST, TO OUR AMAZING FIREWORKS DISPLAY. THIS MURAL IS DEDICATED TO THE MANY VOLUNTEER'S WHO OPEN DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY, PAVE AVENUES OF SUCCESS, FORTIFY THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR TOMORROW'S GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.