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Steam, Stories & Tractors: Celebrating 25 Years of Okanagan Antique Power by BoostBC
- Alyssa
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
There’s something timeless about the sound of an engine rumbling to life, especially when it’s attached to a piece of history. This year, the Okanagan Antique Power Club is celebrating its 25th anniversary in a big way, inviting visitors of all ages to step back in time and experience the machines that helped shape agriculture in the Okanagan.
One of the biggest crowd favourites every year is the club’s operating steam tractor and for many guests, it’s the first time they’ve ever seen one in person. “Seeing it operate and understanding how it works is truly mesmerizing,” says the club’s president Brandon Mitchell , noting that the machine offers visitors “a real connection to how things were done in the past.”
While the steam tractor may steal the spotlight, choosing a favourite machine isn’t easy for club members. “Each machine is unique in its own way and tells a story of mechanical innovation, the history of agriculture, and honestly, a much simpler way of life,” Brandon explains. Every tractor, engine, and piece of equipment on display represents decades of craftsmanship and ingenuity that helped build farming communities across the region.
For the club’s leadership, preserving these machines is about more than nostalgia, it’s about sharing a passion with future generations. “Being the President of the Okanagan Antique Power Club has given me a meaningful opportunity to share my passion with the next generation,” Brandon says. “I’m proud to say that we’re actively working to inspire future enthusiasts and, hopefully, future members of our organization.”
This year’s event is especially meaningful as the club celebrates its 25th anniversary. What began as “a few friends wanting to show their tractors” has grown into something much bigger. “We’ve become a community and a family, working together and bonded by a shared passion for preserving agricultural history,” he shares.
To celebrate the milestone, the club is “pulling out all the stops,” including the return of the fan-favourite “Frustrator” challenge, a one-of-a-kind tractor competition that promises plenty of laughs and excitement for spectators. Organizers have also partnered with local companies to offer prize raffles throughout the event.
For first-time visitors, the experience is often full of surprises. “This show is truly like no other,” Brandon says. Guests can explore rare machinery they may never
have seen before, enjoy tractor train rides for kids, and even hop aboard a tractor themselves. “There’s so much to see that you really have to experience it in person to appreciate the passion our members have for their machines.”
Breakfast and lunch will be available on-site courtesy of the Kelowna Classics Car Club, and admission is by donation, with a suggested $6 per person or $20 per family. Whether you’re a longtime tractor enthusiast or simply curious about the machines that helped shape the Okanagan, this 25th anniversary celebration promises a memorable day for all ages.
