Grand Reopening

The day that people around the world have waited for is almost here! Myra Canyon – virtually destroyed in the Okanagan Mountain Park fire in 2003 - will officially open on Sunday June 22 with a celebration for everyone. All trestles destroyed by the fires have been rebuilt to historical specifications using British Columbia wood and labour.

A fun-filled day has been planned to show our appreciation for the community and everyone who has been a part of the reconstruction of the trestles in Myra Canyon. The public is invited to come enjoy the stunning sights and sounds of Myra Canyon for a memorable day of walking or cycling throughout the canyon. You will meet historical characters from the past who helped build Myra Canyon, and you will enjoy complementary food, dance to live music, and breath in the history of this memorable Canadian heritage site located right above Kelowna, British Columbia.

How to Get to Myra Canyon
You have your choice of taking a free bus ride up to Myra Canyon from the main entrance to Okanagan College on KLO Road in Kelowna or you can drive up. The bus schedule is outlined below. If you plan to drive up, take KLO Road to McCulloch Road, follow McCulloch Road past Gallaghers Canyon Golf Course, until you reach Myra Forest Service Road. It is marked with signs. Follow that road 8 ½ kms to the rail bed and the Myra parking area. Avid cyclists may wish to access the festivities from the June Springs entrance on the west side of the Canyon.

Where To Go When You Arrive
At Myra Station, there will be parking for approximately 200 vehicles. Volunteers will show you where to park and you will be able to cycle or walk throughout Myra Canyon. Once you arrive at the parking area, the main activities will take place at a well marked staging area between Trestle 18 and Trestle 17. This is about a 20 minute walk from the main parking lot.

The following agenda outlines the activities for the Grand Re-Opening of Myra Canyon.

Agenda

8:15 - First Bus Leaves Okanagan College for Myra Canyon

Parking available at Okanagan College in the Residence Parking Lot on KLO Road in Kelowna. Complimentary shuttle service to the Myra Canyon parking lot starts at 8:15 AM to 1:45 PM leaving at half hour intervals. Shuttle service from the Myra Canyon parking lot to Okanagan College will run all day at half hour intervals until 4:00 PM. Please note that bicycles are not permitted on these buses. If you plan on bringing a bike, you must drive up.

9:00-11:00 - Flapjack Breakfast Sponsored by Sysco Kelowna and hosted by Mission Lions Club at Main Staging Area at Trestle 17

Come and enjoy the views to the west with the morning sun! The first 500 people enjoy a complimentary flapjack breakfast sponsored by Sysco Kelowna. Blithely Reekin' takes the stage at 10:00.

11:00-2:00 - Lunchtime BBQ Sponsored by Sysco Kelowna and hosted by Salvation Army and Mission Lions Club at Main Staging Area at Trestle 17

The first 500 people enjoy a complimentary lunch sponsored by Sysco Kelowna
Live music performed by:
The Kettle Valley Brakemen: 11:00 - 11:45 & 1:00 - 1:45
Blithely Reekin': 10:00 - 10:45 & 12:00 - 12:45

11:30 - Ceremonial Walk Through Myra Canyon to Trestle 11

Starting at Trestle 17 everyone is encouraged to join in the Myra Opening Walk led by a bagpipe procession, honouring Scottish Descent of the McCulloch family. The walk will take about 30 minutes and take you through two tunnels and across 6 historic trestles and finish on Trestle 11 for the last spike!

12:00 - The Driving of the Last Spikes into Trestle 11

Watch the driving of the last spikes driven in by Andrew McCulloch, the engineer who built Myra Canyon and other local dignitaries as they compete to see who is swiftest of hand and strength!

12:30 - Ceremonial Walk Back to Trestle 17

After watching the driving of the last spikes, return to Trestle 17 for a barbeque hotdog lunch, enjoy the music, inspect the trestles, visit historical displays enroute and visit the special presentation tent to see how the trestles were rebuilt.

3:00 - Event Wind-up

Amazing and exciting draw prizes await those lucky kids who participate in children’s activities

4:00 - Last Bus Leaves Myra Canyon

 

Help Us Plan by Pre-Registration! (no obligation to attend even if you pre-register)
Since we expect this to be a popular event, please help us with our planning! There is a link to our 15-second survey where you can RSVP that you are interested in coming. If you aren’t 100% positive about coming, that's okay; it still helps if you give us a heads up that you would like to come. Thanks for your assistance with our planning and please pre-register!

Activities to Watch For Throughout the Day from 9am through 3pm

Meet Historical Characters – We are pleased to present Andrew McCulloch, Sir Thomas Shaughnessy, Myra herself as key figures from the past come back to visit Myra Canyon and share their stories with you.

Walk or Cycle throughout Myra Canyon and see a presentation on the rebuilding of Myra Canyon.

Volunteers will be stationed throughout various points in Myra Canyon to share their knowledge of the rebuilding process.

Pictures and Information will be on display on many trestles including information from builders and arts displays from schools in the Kelowna area.

Children's Activities running all day and tons of prizes will be awarded throughout the day! As well, elementary school children can win prizes by submitting answers to a simple quiz found on the myratrestles.com web site prior to June 16.

Enjoy Live Music – Sit back and enjoy the famed Kettle Valley Brakemen and Blithely Reekin' on the main stage by Trestle 17.
Blithely Reekin' will play at 10 - 1045 am & 1200 - 1245 pm
Kettle Valley Brakemen will play 1100 - 1145 am & 1:00 - 145 pm.

Sysco Kelowna's Appreciation Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy flapjacks and coffee or juice in the morning, just like the trestles workers had. After breakfast, a full BBQ lunch of hot dogs and beverages will be available. Breakfast and lunch are free to the public and are hosted by the Mission Lions Club and the Salvation Army.