The long running festival, Centrepiece, is returning to the Lake Country Museum and Okanagan Centre Park, Sunday August 24 from 11 am to 3:30 pm.
The 1920s-style event is known for many attendees dressing up in old fashioned costume for the Devonshire Tea. Many more people come for the hot dogs, hamburgers, children’s games and floats in one last summer opportunity to come together as a community.
One of the organizers, Eleanor Geen, says plans are coming together well with several new additions to the festival this year. Well-known antiques appraiser Peter Blundell will be on site to give information and valuations of your treasures, in a format loosely based on the TV show Antiques Roadshow. (More details below.)
And the museum will have an old fashioned, dress up photo booth, where you can have your picture taken (and printed) in period costume.
The Big White Events Team join Centrepiece this year with mascot Loose Moose, a bouncy castle, and fun games for the kids.
The festivities will include live music from the Westside Ramblers and local musician Ron Short.
The children’s games and entertainment are free with tickets to be purchased for the food.
The Devonshire Tea begins at noon. Scones, whipped cream and fruit confit will be served. Some ladies from the community have been attending the tea for more than 25 years.
“This is for all of the residents of Lake Country,” said Geen. “A lot of people stop in while on their way past the park on Okanagan Centre Road.” Geen hopes everyone knows just how welcome they are at Centrepiece, “The community can come together and enjoy summer.”
Heirloom Discovery Day
Book your appointment right away for Heirloom Discovery Day, through the Lake Country Museum.
If you have been wondering about that one-of-a-kind item you found in your attic, or the value of your latest antique find, here’s the time, place and perfect person to get answers.
Antiques appraiser Peter Blundell will be on site during the Centrepiece Festival on Aug. 24, with his almost magical verbal Opinion-of-Value session to help you identify your treasure and to give you a value of what it might be worth if found for sale, or perhaps even for a donation to your favourite museum for a tax credit.
Blundell is a Vernon resident and an accredited art and antiques independent appraiser with the Canadian Professional Appraisers.
He has many specialties including furniture, art, silver, china, porcelains, glass, bronzes, oil lamps, pocket watches, and collectibles and will be giving opinions on the value of your items on-site, with some exceptions. He cannot appraise jewelry, coins, stamps, guns or wristwatches.
However, pocket watches and swords may be brought in.
Individuals who wish to have large furniture pieces assessed are asked to bring in a portion of the piece, such as a drawer, along with a photograph, and the item’s measurements. Please note that items thought to be over 400 years old cannot be assessed at this event.
“The demand seems to be increasing,” Blundell said on a recent visit. “There are a lot of people out there who are downsizing, and even more who are collecting antique finds at garage sales. We’re really busy with appraisals this year and look forward to offering an Heirloom Discovery Day at Centrepiece.”
With Heirloom Discovery Day, Blundell invites people to reserve a 15-minute appointment, during which he can appraise up to three items for $36.25 (incl. GST).
The appraisals will run from 11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Lake Country Museum’s Centrepiece Festival, and must be booked in advance.
Payment is required at the time of booking in order to reserve your time slot.
Demand for such expert opinion is always high and there are already only a few spots left.
To reserve your spot, please phone or visit the Lake Country Museum at 11255 Okanagan Centre Rd West, Lake Country, call the museum at 250-766-0111, or send an email to info@lakecountrymuseum.com.