Ogopogo - Kelowna, British Columbia
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T0SHEA
N 49° 53.444 W 119° 29.717
11U E 320774 N 5529467
The Fruit Stand is located between Smith Avenue and Cawston Avenue, known as “Kelowna’s Artwalk”. It connects pedestrian traffic through the Cultural District. The Rotary Centre for the Arts is at this location offering other amazing sculptures.
Waymark Code: WMGPQH
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Date Posted: 03/29/2013
Views: 4
The Fruit Stand is a whimsical tribute to Kelowna’s agricultural history. There are seven concrete and terrazzo fruit forms: apples, pears and peaches some whole; others sliced. Under the fruit are five benches, accompanied by mosaics of vintage fruit box labels from the 1930’s and 40s’ by artists: Glen Andersen & T.S. Thomas. The Fruit Stand was completed in 2002.
The “Ogopogo” vintage label shows Ogopogo with a large red apple in its mouth. “Canadian Apples” is inscribed across the bottom of the label. On both sides of the label are waves from Okanagan Lake. “Ogopogo” is one of five mosaics displayed along the walkway.
Apple crate paper labels started in the early teens replacing the hand stamping method of the time.
The apples, peaches and pears were handpicked, by mostly migrant workers, and brought to one of the local packing houses. Once the fruit were inspected, hand wrapped, and placed in wooden crates: labels were attached. The crates were now ready for shipment throughout Canada, US and the world.
Work in the packinghouse was performed mostly by women. The women were sent to school to learn how to wrap the fruit properly. It was considered an art form.
One side of the walkway are planted grape vines representative of the area’s wine industry with the fruit forms and the mosaics fruit box labels paralleling the walkway on the opposite side.
Benches are provided for visitors and local pedestrians an opportunity to relax and enjoy their surroundings.
Who is Ogopogo?
The legend of Ogopogo living in the Okanagan Valley has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries, long before the coming of the European settlers. Sighting reports were often of an unusual animal surfacing, submerging and swimming swiftly through the waters of Okanagan Lake.
The First Nations people feared this sacred creature, which they named N'ha-a-itk, "Water Demon". The early settlers also reported sightings patrolled the shores to protect their families.
In the 1920’s the lake creature was dubbed Ogopogo and since then tourists have flocked to Okanagan Lake hoping for a glimpse. A sighting in August 1980 captured worldwide attention.
Ogopogo is described as shy and allusive snake like creature to being a vicious killer in the appearance of a whale. Over the past 50 years, many scientific research projects were conducted on Okanagan Lake in search of Ogopogo. Scientists from throughout Canada, Japan and other worldwide countries have come in search for Ogopogo.
To learn more about Ogopogo: (
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