iN VIDEO: Mysterious footage emerges of Okanagan cigarette plant

Mystery surrounds a recently published video that depicts the 1960 opening of a cigarette factory somewhere in the Okanagan.

The YouTube video, presented by Reel Life/Canada Motorsport, describes the footage as the official opening of a Benson & Hedges cigarette plant somewhere in the Okanagan Valley, B.C.

The video includes an aerial shot of the new factory, taken as a helicopter arrives at the new factory with participants to take part in the opening ceremonies and includes footage of the cigarette production line in operation.

READ MORE: How Kamloops' once booming cigar industry went up in smoke

Reel Life is asking viewers to help identify people in the film, the location of the factory and other details.

Tobacco was an important agricultural crop in the Okanagan at one time.

Viewers can add any information they might have to the comments section of the YouTube video, according to Reel Life.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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