Daring departure proposed from Kelowna’s traditional Ogopogo float theme

KELOWNA – For the first time in ages Ogopogo may be out as the theme for Kelowna’s parade float.

“It’s been that way for as far as I’ve looked back,” event development supervisor Mariko Siggers says.

Instead, look for a lake and mountain landscape with with a variety of recreational equipment bursting forth from it, like paddle boards, kayaks and bicycles.

Last updated in 2010, the official city float is themed around the famed lake monster and has been for ages.

There are four concepts on the table, including the Ogopogo theme, but Siggers says they are recommending another option with the theme Active By Nature, which at this point does not include the lake monster.

"You have about 10 seconds to get an image of a float into someone's head," she says. "At this point, we're looking at changing gears. I know Ogopogo has a strong place in tourism history in Kelowna but we think its time for change, to show a different side of the city.”

The current float has appeared in over 100 parades — logging 42,000 kilometres travelling to more than 55 cities — and is starting to show its steady use.

Siggers admits she’s not sure how councillors will react to changing a long-standing tradition.

“A lot of people in this community have a soft spot for Ogopogo and it’s (council's) decision to make so we will see."

Council has already approved a $20,000 make-over for the float and if they approve the concept at the April 25 council meeting, it can be ready for this summer's parade season, she says.


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John McDonald

John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.

It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.

But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.

If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca

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