At present, the Village of Keremeos has a population of 1,502 people. The name originated from the Similkameen dialect of the Okanagan language word "Keremeyeus" meaning "creek which cuts its way through the flats" referring to Keremeos Creek. Keremeos was Incorporated Oct 30, 1956.
Keremeos is the Similkameen’s second largest town and styles itself
The Fruit Stand Capital of Canada, with an abundance of fresh produce from Spring to Fall and endless orchards, vineyards and farms.
Memorial Park is located within the heart of the Village and draws its name from the Cenotaph located in the northern portion. It offers a playground and a splash pad, a large gazebo with picnic tables, Age-Friendly Outdoor Exercise Park added in 2016, swimming pool and public washrooms. The Visitor Information Centre and the Keremeos Senior Centre are near the park.
Small towns, as a rule, make good use of their parks, both for daily use and for hosting events throughout the year, such as Music in the Park, Movies in the Park Easter Egg Hunts, Remembrance Day Ceremonies, Show & Shines and a host of other events, both annual and one-time events.
A variation on the theme is the
Chili Cook-off, an event held annually in Keremeos' Memorial Park for several years now. Each year the event, known as the
Similkameen Sizzle, rates a full write up in the local paper, the
Keremeos Review, and the 2018
Similkameen Sizzle was no exception.
Sizzle sure to be hot, hot, hot
Hot pepper festival kicks off Friday with a free family dance and main events Saturday in Keremeos
Sep. 13, 2018
No matter the weather, the Similkameen Sizzle is expected to be hotter than ever.
The event,
happening this Saturday at Memorial Park, is expected to have more vendors, more chilli cook-off entrants, and more things to do than previous years.
Colleen Christensen, one of the event organizers being put on by Similkameen Country, the Keremeos and Area Chamber of Commerce said there’s excitement in the air around this year’s event.
“It’s only a few days away and everyone is getting really excited. This is going to be a great year and we’ve got quite a few new things for people to check out,” she said.
New things this year include dancing by East Indian elders, and later in the day salsa dancing lessons with professionals. A wide variety of vendors, eateries and inflatable games for adults and children will fill Memorial Park.
The event kicks off with pre-event on Friday night at 6 p.m, which includes a family dance with band the Fender Benders, and food vendors setup as well as a beer garden.
Saturday starts with pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. put on by the Keremeos Elks, followed up by the famed chilli cook-off at 11:30 a.m. where friends, neighbours and organizations compete against each other for who makes the best chilli. There’s also a jams, jellies and hot sauce competition where the judges are sure to set their mouths on fire determining who has the best offerings.
Throughout the day a DJ will play music as people peruse through vendors alley or play on the different inflatables setup. The Elks will cook up lunch as appetite grows for the annual hot pepper eating contest. The contest pits heat lovers against each other for a cash prize.
The day also includes auctioning off hot pepper plants, raffles, 50/50 and is licensed for those needing to quench their thirst.
From the Keremeos Review
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