Okanagan Chapter’s 14th Annual Boat Show was held at the Grand Hotel in the downtown area of Kelowna. This was an ideal location, but we weren't sure how matters would work out, since there was a change of management about a month before the show and we had to rework our contract with them. As it happened all went exceedingly well. The weatherman was cooperative, the staff were co-operative and we hit a whole new group of people to whom we could show our boats.
 

We were able to spread our booths around a much larger area and we didn't have to worry about tippy docks.
 

We had 50 boats on show, our largest turnout ever and they ranged from 34' cabin cruisers to 10' rowboats. In age they covered 1926 to the present; a wonderful eclectic group of boats, and all in excellent condition.
 

One big attraction was that in order to enter the lagoons where the boats were shown, we had to come through the locks which raised us up about 20 feet above lake level, a very unique experience. The lagoons are wave-free and the only problem that could arise would be high winds, and although there was a breeze, it was of little consequence.
 

Our Silent Auction was again a great success and our T-shirt booth is ever expanding with new products and was well patronized.
 

Our Friday night Welcome Reception was held on the patio and we were entertained with steel-drum music. The awards banquet on Saturday night was great fun with many fun awards as well as the awards for deserving boats. We were entertained during the meal by a local singer who was well received.
 

Because we were in the lagoons, we were unable to have a sail pass or the war canoe races, so this year we had one of our members build 3 - 5ft. rowboats for children's races. We held these morning and afternoon on both Saturday and Sunday and they were a huge success with both the youngsters and the parents. One of the highlights of the races was our president cycling on a water-bike, directing the kids around the course.
 

Everyone voted this year's show an excellent one and we are all looking forward to our 2004 show with renewed confidence.