July is whizzing by, but there’s still plenty of summertime fun to be had in the Okanagan before the end of August.
For the second year in a row, O’Keefe Ranch is offering family-friendly programming every weekend in July and August as an opportunity to get outside and have fun as a family without 21st century technology.
Each Saturday, guests can participate in a Victorian school lesson in the 106-year-old Balmoral Schoolhouse.
“This is a favorite of our elementary school students, and adults love it too,” said program coordinator Desiree Maher-Schley. “This program is free for all visitors with general admission and requires no RSVP. Just drop by the school house at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. on Saturdays and be ready to be entertained while you recite your three Rs.”
Related: Cowboy entertainment returns to O’Keefe Ranch
The fun continues into Sunday. Each morning, beginning at 11 a.m., visitors can participate in a variety of old-fashioned games. Sundays are also when the Historic Ranch hosts Crafternoons, beginning at 2 p.m. Visitors can take part in an historical craft or art activity, such as making potato stamps or paper hats.
“As a not-for-profit historic site, a big part of our mandate is education,” says ranch curator Carla-Jean Stokes. “We love to be inspired by the history of the Victorian period, but learning about history doesn’t have to be traditional and it can be a lot of fun. The best way to learn how people used to live is to give it a try yourself.”
Related: City of Vernon hands over remaining O’Keefe Ranch funds
O’Keefe Ranch is open daily until Sept. 30. Ranch hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. O’Keefe Ranch also has numerous period buildings to tour, artisans on site, and the Greenhow Museum at O’Keefe Ranch has four new exhibitions for the 2018 season.
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