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Kelowna, British Columbia

contributed by city of Keloma

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British Columbia

Kelowna is a city of approximately 100,000 located in the Central Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. It is approximately 80 miles north of the British Columbia/Washington State (USA) border, spreading across both sides of Lake Okanagan, a long (30 miles or so), deep freshwater lake. Kelowna is about 250 miles east of Vancouver, B.C. The area is known for its mild climate and fresh fruit production. It is a tourist destination area and retirement center.

The City of Kelowna's flag is 1/2 width to length, the same as the Canadian flag. It has two royal blue bars, one at each side of the flag, leaving a 1/1 white square in the middle in which the city coat of arms is shown.

The Kelowna Coat of Arms was officially accepted by the City Council on January 3, 1955. The Shield, with wavy blue lines on white at the base, depicts Okanagan Lake from which rise three white piles, representing mountains; above these are two apples of gold. Astride the shield, knightly armour, surrounded by a wreath, supports an apple tree bearing apples. At the base of the tree, the ancient crosscut saw is emblematic of the lumber industry and early pioneers. The Supporters are, on the dexter side, a grizzly bear, indicating the derivation of the city's name, and, on the sinister side, a seahorse, which in heraldry is the closest approximation of a mythical lake creature (something akin to the Loch Ness monster) called "Ogopogo". The Motto is "Fruitful in Unity", which alludes to the City's steady progress, largely attributable to its basic fruit industry and the community mindedness and cooperation of its citizens.

I have not been able to determine whether or not the city flag has been officially adopted by act of the City Council, but it has, at least, been in use by the City of Kelowna for more than 20 years.

The City of Kelowna will not allow the use and/or reproduction of the Coat of Arms (or flag) for commercial purposes. Non-commercial use is permitted in the discretion of city management or where City Council has provided endorsement or approval. Brian James Erickson, 7 April 2004