Kelowna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kelowna
City
City of Kelowna
From top, left to right: Downtown Kelowna from Knox Mountain Park, the peaks of Central Okanagan, Mission Hill Winery and Bell Tower, the William R. Bennett Bridge on Okanagan Lake, Okanagan Lake near Rotary Beach Park
Flag Coat of arms Logo
Nickname(s):  Orchard City, K-Town, Sun City
Motto(s):  "Fruitful in Unity"
Kelowna Location in British Columbia
Country	Canada
Province	British Columbia
Regional district	Central Okanagan
Settled	1879
Incorporated	May 5, 1905
Government
• Type	Elected city council
• Body	Kelowna City Council
Area  (2021)
• City	211.85 km2 (81.80 sq mi)
• Metro	2,904.86 km2 (1,121.57 sq mi)
Elevation	344 m (1,129 ft)
Population  (2021)
• City	144,576
• Density	682.445/km2 (1,767.52/sq mi)
• Metro	222,162
• Metro density	76.47942/km2 (198.0808/sq mi)
Gross Metropolitan Product
• Kelowna CMA	CA$11.3 billion (2020)
Time zone	UTC−08:00 (PST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−07:00 (PDT)
Forward sortation area	V1P, V1V – V1Z, V4T
Area code(s)	250, 778, 236, 672
GNBC Code	JAFUV

Kelowna (ⁱ/kəˈloʊnə/ kə-LOH-nə) is a city on Okanagan Lake in the Okanagan Valley in the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada. It serves as the head office of the Regional District of Central Okanagan. The name Kelowna derives from the Okanagan word kiʔláwnaʔ, referring to a grizzly bear.

Kelowna is the province's third-largest metropolitan area (after Vancouver and Victoria). At the same time, it is the seventh-largest city overall and the largest in the Interior. It is the 20th-largest metropolitan area in Canada. The city proper encompasses 211.85 km² (81.80 sq mi), and the census metropolitan area 2,904.86 km² (1,121.57 sq mi). Kelowna's estimated population in 2020 is 222,748 in the metropolitan area and 142,146 in the city proper. After a period of suburban expansion into the surrounding mountain slopes, the city council adopted a long-term plan intended to increase density instead — particularly in the downtown core. This has resulted in the construction of taller buildings, including One Water Street — a 36-story building that is the tallest in Kelowna. Other high rise developments have already broken ground or been approved since then, including a 42-storey tower on Leon Avenue which will be the tallest building in the city, and among the tallest in B.C.

Nearby communities include the City of West Kelowna (also referred to as Westbank and Westside) to the west, across Okanagan Lake; Lake Country and Vernon to the north; Peachland to the southwest; and Summerland and Penticton to the south.

History

• 

  Kelowna, 1909

• 

  Kelowna, 1920

So far exact dates of first settlement are unknown, but a northern migration led to the peopling of this area some 9000 years ago. The Indigenous Syilx people were the first inhabitants of the region, and continue to live in the region.

Father Charles M. Pandosy, a French Roman Catholic Oblate missionary, arriving in 1859 was the first European to settle at Kelowna, a place named "L'anse au sable" (Bay of Sand) in reference to the sandy shoreline. Kelowna was officially incorporated on 4 May 1905.

In May 2005, Kelowna celebrated its Centennial. In the same year, new five lane William R. Bennett Bridge began construction to replace the three lane Okanagan Lake Bridge. It was part of a plan to alleviate traffic problems experienced during the summer tourist season, when the influx of tourists adds to the commuters between West Kelowna and Kelowna. The new bridge was completed in 2008. The bridge has done little to alleviate traffic problems.

Events of significance

• On July 3, 1877, George Mercer Dawson was the first geologist to visit Kelowna.
• On 6 August 1969 a sonic boom from a nearby air show produced an expensive broken glass bill of a quarter million dollars while at least 6 people were injured. The incident was caused by a member of America's Blue Angels during a practice routine for the Kelowna Regatta festival: He accidentally went through the sound barrier while flying too low.
• Winter 1986 was the last time that the Lake completely froze over. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police helicopter successfully rescued an SUV that had tried to drive across the Lake and fell through the ice.
• 2000s, Kelowna builds the tallest building in between the Lower Mainland and Calgary: Skye at Waterscapes, which is a 26-floor residential tower.

Area seasonal wildfires

• On 7 May 1992, a forest fire consumed 60 hectares of forest on Mount Boucherie in West Kelowna across Lake Okanagan from Kelowna proper: no homes were damaged, however.
• In August 2003, a nearby wildfire destroyed 239 homes and forced the temporary evacuation of approx. 30,000 residents. During the 2003 fire, many trestles of the historic Kettle Valley Railway were destroyed. All the trestles have been rebuilt to look like the originals but using smaller dimension beams.
• In late August 2005, a 30 hectare fire caused multiple evacuations in the Rose Valley subdivision across the lake in West Kelowna.
• In July 2009 wildfires destroyed hundreds of hectares of forest and a number of buildings in West Kelowna; 17,000 residents were evacuated.
• In July 2009, a 100 hectare fire near Rose Valley resulted in the evacuation of 7,000 people. No structures were lost.
• In July 2009, a 9,200 hectare fire behind Fintry resulted in the evacuation of 2,500 people. No structures were lost.
• On 12 July 2010, a 30 hectare fire in West Kelowna destroyed one home and caused multiple evacuations.
• September 2011, a 40 hectare fire in West Kelowna's Bear Creek Park caused the evacuation of over 500 people.
• In July 2012, a 30 hectare fire caused the evacuation of the small community of Wilson's Landing just North of West Kelowna.
• In September 2012, a late season, 200 hectare fire destroyed 7 buildings and resulted in the evacuation of 1,500 people in the community of Peachland.
• In July 2014, a 340 hectare fire behind the West Kelowna subdivision of Smith Creek caused the evacuation of 3,000 people.
• In August 2014, a 40 hectare fire above Peachland resulted in the evacuation of one home.
• In July 2015, a 55 hectare fire in the Joe Rich area caused the evacuation of over 100 properties.
• In July 2015, a 560 hectare fire near Shelter Cove caused the evacuation of 70 properties.
• In August 2015, a 130 hectare fire burned near Little White mountain just south of Kelowna.

Geography

Landmarks

Climate

Kelowna experiences a borderline Oceanic/Humid continental climate (Köppen Cfb/Dfb) due to its coldest month having an average temperature slightly above −3.0 °C (26.6 °F), with dry, hot and sunny summers, cold, cloudy winters and four seasons. The official climate station for Kelowna is at the Kelowna International Airport, which is at a higher altitude than the city core with slightly higher precipitation and cooler nighttime temperatures. The moderating effects of Okanagan Lake combined with mountains separating most of BC from the prairies moderates the winter climate, but Arctic air masses do occasionally penetrate the valley during winter, usually for very short periods. The coldest recorded temperature in the city was −36.1 °C (−33.0 °F) recorded on 30 December 1968.

Weather conditions during December and January are the cloudiest in Canada outside of Newfoundland thanks to persistent valley cloud. As Okanagan Lake hardly ever freezes, warmer air rising from the lake climbs above colder atmospheric air, creating a temperature inversion which can cause the valley to be socked in by cloud for weeks on end with no respite. This valley cloud has a low ceiling however, and often bright sunshine can be experienced by driving only 20 minutes or so up into the nearby mountains, above the cloud. Summers in Kelowna are hot (sometimes extremely hot) and sunny, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 32 °C (90 °F). The hottest recorded temperature at the airport was 39.5 °C (103.1 °F) on 24 July 1994, and the highest temperature ever recorded in the city was 41.0 °C (105.8 °F) in August 1998 near but not at the airport. It is not at all unusual for heat waves to occur in July, August and even June and September on occasion, where temperatures above 30 °C persist for weeks. During summer clear, dry air allows night-time temperatures to fall rapidly. The city averages about 380 millimetres (15 in) of precipitation per year, with about 1/5 of the precipitation falling as snow, the bulk in December and January; however, June is the wettest month of the year.

While some smaller communities such as Blue River and Golden get less wind, Kelowna has the greatest percentage of "calm" wind observations for any major city in Canada (39% of the time). The four-year average wind measured at the airport has been less than 5 knots on average 10/12 months of the year between 2008 and 2011. As shown in the climate chart below, Kelowna has an average high temperature that is above freezing every month of the year - an exceptionally rare phenomenon for a Canadian city that is located inland. In fact, average high temperatures in January surpass those of St. John's, Newfoundland, which experiences heavy moderation from the warm Atlantic current. Kelowna's average year-round high temperature of about 14.6 degrees is also one of the highest in Canada - largely thanks to the rare combination of high summer temperatures typical of continental climates, along with relatively mild winters - a very rare feature of a continental climate.

Weather facts:

• Driest Year (1952) = 186 mm (7 in)
• Wettest Year (1996) = 541 mm (21 in)
• Warmest Year (1998) = 11.4 °C (53 °F); 9.2 °C (49 °F) at the Airport
• Coldest Year (1955) = 5.6 °C (42 °F)
• Highest Extreme Temperature (August 1998) = 41.0 °C (106 °F)
• Lowest Extreme Temperature (December 1968) = −36.1 °C (−33 °F)

Sectors and neighbourhoods

Kelowna consists of ten sectors with multiple neighbourhoods within the sector boundaries.

View of Kelowna and Okanagan Lake from Knox Mountain

Neighbourhoods

Central City

Central City is a linear commercial sector along Harvey Avenue, from downtown to Highway 33. Major commercial developments include the Capri Centre Mall, the Landmark buildings, and the Orchard Park Shopping Centre. Commercial activity is mainly concentrated along or near Highway 97 (Harvey).

Dilworth Mountain

Dilworth Mountain is a relatively low, isolated mountain just over 2000 feet near the city's geographic centre. Adjoining Knox Mountain to the west, it is part of the eastern heights that form Glenmore Valley and rises about one thousand feet above the rest of the Okanagan Valley. It has been extensively developed in recent years, with scenic suburban-influenced neighbourhoods only minutes from Central City. Like many other Kelowna residential districts, Dilworth has gone from relative isolation and wilderness to a community hosting hundreds of homes, many of which are considered relatively high-end.

Downtown

Downtown Kelowna from Dilworth Mountain in 2021

Central Kelowna is a tourist district alongside Okanagan Lake. It is officially defined as all land north of Highway 97, south of Clement Avenue, east of Okanagan Lake, and west of Richter Street. There are two main routes through the downtown core, along which attractions and commerce are concentrated. These include several parks and beaches, boardwalks and other walking trails, Kelowna Marina and Yacht Club, the Delta Grand Hotel and Casino, and Prospera Place arena. The other main route through downtown is Bernard Avenue from Richter Street to the lake, with more shops and restaurants designed for locals and tourists. Although Bernard Avenue continues east well past downtown, it is not part of downtown and is zoned residential. The commercial segment lies within its downtown section between Richter and Abbott streets, the latter of which is lake-adjacent.

..... The red zone extends from Okanagan Lake to the west, Lake Avenue, Rowcliffe to Ethel and Ethel to Stockwell, Doyle and back to the lake. The red zone was identified in 1992 to reduce street crime. ..... Kelowna was the second British Columbia city to declare a red zone.

Glenmore

Glenmore is a suburb primarily within Glenmore Valley, a subsection of the Okanagan Valley in the Kelowna area. It has been extensively developed in the past two decades, transforming from a small suburb with a rural character to large suburban neighbourhoods, including several elementary schools and a rapidly growing commercial hub. While most of its homes are on the relatively flat valley bottom, several large and more recent neighbourhoods, including the community of Wilden, are being built into the adjacent mountains.

Midtown

The Midtown area, bordered by Enterprise Way on the north and Springfield and Baron Road on the south, is a popular shopping destination for locals. Orchard Park, the shopping complex in BC's interior, is here. Since most of Midtown consists of large, car-oriented big-box stores, it is often criticized for its plainness; its contributions to urban sprawl and the decline of the pedestrian-oriented Downtown; and its lack of green space, as the area was formerly a linear park and golf course.

Mission

Known locally as "the Mission" (or "Okanagan Mission") to differentiate it from the Lower Mainland city of Mission, this area was a separate jurisdiction before being amalgamated with Kelowna in the mid-to-late-20th century. It features a vibrant secondary commercial centre separate from the downtown, with low- to moderate-density residential areas between them. Its northern border is K.L.O. Road. It is often differentiated as Lower Mission and Upper Mission.

The Lower Mission contains most of the aforementioned commercial areas, such as shopping malls, grocery stores, coffee shops, and boutiques, and also has extensive recreational facilities. Mission Recreation Park has six softball diamonds, soccer fields, community gardens, playgrounds, and trails while neighbouring H2O is Kelowna's largest indoor recreation facility with a 50 m pool, water slides, diving boards, and surfing waves. Gyro Beach and Rotary Beach, two of Kelowna's most popular beaches, are also located in the Lower Mission.

The Upper Mission begins to extend into the foothills and higher terrain, and many parts of this area boast magnificent views of the city, mountains and Okanagan Lake. As a result, this part of town is widely regarded as luxurious and is indeed one of the most expensive neighbourhoods of Kelowna. It is not unusual to see homes worth one million dollars or more, the most costly of which can reach 5 million or even slightly above.

Rutland

Rutland is Kelowna's largest neighbourhood by far. Although most of the area sits on the valley bottom and is therefore relatively flat, the fringes continue up into the hills and are thus built at higher elevations and possess more expansive views than the rest of the neighbourhood; these homes are correspondingly more expensive. This is the exception, however, as the majority of Rutland is among the most affordable of Kelowna housing. Additionally, the presence of numerous low-rise apartment buildings contributes to a higher population density compared to other areas of the town. Rutland was a town until it amalgamated with Kelowna in 1973, and this union has resulted in Rutland having a distinct commercial centre with many shops and restaurants. An improvement and gentrification effort has been ongoing for the past decade, with new parks, widened sidewalks, bike lanes, a renovated YMCA, a rebuilt high school, and many new shops and condominiums being added.

Economy

The service industry employs the most people in Kelowna, the largest city in the tourist-oriented Okanagan Valley. In summer, boating, golf, hiking and biking are popular, and in winter, both skiing and snowboarding are favourite activities at the nearby Big White and Silver Star ski resorts. Tourism in the Greater Kelowna Area has now become a $1-billion a year industry, as of 2016.

Kelowna produces wines that have received international recognition. Vineyards are common around and south of the city where the climate is ideal for the many wineries. At least two major wineries were damaged or destroyed (now rebuilt) in 2003 due to the Okanagan Mountain Park Fire. Kelowna is also the home of Sun-Rype, a popular manufacturer of fruit bars and juices.

Okanagan College and University of British Columbia are the predominant centres for post-secondary education. Over 8,745 students attend Okanagan College and 8,718 students attend the University of British Columbia. In addition to vocational training and adult basic education, the college offers a highly regarded university transfer program. University of British Columbia's Okanagan campus has a student population of over 8,000 full-time students enrolled in diverse undergraduate and graduate programs.

Kelowna is the seat of the Regional District of the Central Okanagan, the third-largest metropolitan area in British Columbia after Vancouver and Victoria and the largest in the British Columbia Interior. With scenic lake vistas and a dry, mild climate, Kelowna has become one of the fastest-growing cities in North America. The appropriate management of such rapid development (and its attendant consequences) is a source of significant debate within the community. Kelowna is the fourth least affordable housing market in Canada, currently maintaining the classification of "Severely Unaffordable." Because of the Okanagan's climate and vineyard-filled scenery, it is often compared to Napa Valley, California.

Kelowna's use as a film locale

• Fido, a comedy/horror/thriller movie about zombies, was filmed in Kelowna and debuted on September 7, 2006, at the Toronto International Film Festival.
• Part of the movie Mee Shee: The Water Giant was filmed in Kelowna.
• The movies Shred and Shred 2 were partially filmed at Big White, a ski hill near Kelowna.
• Flicka: Country Pride, released in 2012, was filmed in Kelowna at several locations, such as Mission Creek Ranch, Kelowna Secondary School, and Gemstone Equestrian Centre.

Kelowna's use as a market trial location

Due to its moderate population, Kelowna is often used as a market trial area where national businesses and organizations can test a new product. Examples include:

• The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority piloted new whole body imaging technology for passenger screening at the Kelowna International Airport from 2008 to 2009.
• Telus Mobility re-launched its Clearnet discount mobile phone brand in Kelowna and Red Deer, Alberta, in 2011.
• Kelowna was the first city in Canada to have a permanent flow-rider located at the H2O indoor water park.
• Peachwave opened its first Canadian store in Kelowna in 2013.
• Overwaitea Food Group opened its first Urban Fare location outside of downtown Vancouver in Kelowna.

Demographics

In the 2021 Canadian census conducted by Statistics Canada, Kelowna had a population of 144,576 living in 62,209 of its 67,115 total private dwellings, a change of 13.5% from its 2016 population of 127,390. With a land area of 211.85 km² (81.80 sq mi), it had a population density of 682.4/km² (1,767/sq mi) in 2021.

At the census metropolitan area (CMA) level in the 2021 census, the Kelowna CMA had a population of 222,162 living in 94,335 of its 102,097 total private dwellings, a change of 14% from its 2016 population of 194,892. With a land area of 2,902.45 km² (1,120.64 sq mi), it had a population density of 76.5/km² (198/sq mi) in 2021.

In 2011, 48.4% of residents were male and 51.6% were female. The predominant language spoken in Kelowna is English.

Children under five accounted for approximately 4.8% of the resident population of Kelowna. This compares to 5.2% in British Columbia and 5.6% for Canada. In mid-2001, 18.4% of the resident population in Kelowna were of retirement age (65 and over for males and females), compared with 13.2% in Canada; the average age is 41.1, compared to an average age of 37.6 in Canada.

Kelowna's population growth has been driven primarily by the movement of Canadians from BC and other provinces into this region, not by international immigration. Only 15.1% of the population is foreign-born. On February 10, 2016, Statistics Canada declared the 3.1% Kelowna census metropolitan area growth rate as being the highest in Canada.

Religious groups

According to the 2021 census, religious groups in Kelowna included:

• Irreligion (76,215 persons or 53.8%)
• Christianity (56,270 persons or 39.7%)
• Sikhism (3,665 persons or 2.6%)
• Islam (1,560 persons or 1.1%)
• Hinduism (1,090 persons or 0.8%)
• Buddhism (895 persons or 0.6%)
• Judaism (530 persons or 0.4%)
• Indigenous spirituality (95 persons or 0.1%)

Ethnic groups

Homelessness

Women make up nearly half of Kelowna's homeless. In other Canadian cities, the overwhelming majority of homeless are males.

On 12 May 2003, the Kelowna Homelessness Networking Group conducted a limited census, and enumerated 198 people: 54 individuals from the street and 144 individuals in shelters.

On 24 February 2016, as part of the Government of Canada's Homelessness Partnering Strategy, the Central Okanagan Foundation conducted a coordinated Point-in-Time (PiT) Count of Kelowna's homeless population. The survey found at least 233 people were homeless, and another 273 were living in temporary housing.

Transportation

Kelowna faces severe suburbanization and urban sprawl promoted by the popularity of low-density car-oriented developments. As of 2007, Kelowna has the highest car dependency rate in Canada and has the second highest per-capita road transportation carbon footprint in British Columbia. Despite having a metro population of about 230,000, the greater Kelowna area is slightly bigger than that of Metro Vancouver. Road transportation accounts for more than 65% of total greenhouse gas emission in the city.

Roads and highways

The city is served by Highway 97 and Highway 33.

Public transport

Kelowna Regional Transit System is operated by FirstGroup, providing public bus transportation services in Kelowna and its surrounding areas. Funding for the transit system is shared between the City of Kelowna, Central Okanagan Regional District, District of Lake Country and BC Transit.

Air travel

Kelowna International Airport (IATA: YLW), north of the city core, is one of the busiest airports in Canada. There are regular flights to and from Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria, Cranbrook, Whitehorse, and Seattle, as well as seasonal service to Las Vegas, Phoenix, Montréal, Cuba and Mexico. Three major passenger airlines serve the airport; Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, and WestJet. The airport is also the main hub of cargo airline KF Cargo.

Local services

Emergency services are provided by the Kelowna General Hospital, the British Columbia Ambulance Service, Kelowna Fire Department, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Venues and attractions

Kelowna's welcome sign on Highway 97

• Prospera Place, a 6,800-seat indoor arena
• Apple Bowl, a 2,314-seat outdoor stadium
• Elks Stadium, a 1,250-seat outdoor baseball stadium
• Kelowna Art Gallery
• Centre of Gravity Festival in City Park
• Kettle Valley Railway (Myra Canyon Trestles)
• Big White Ski Resort
• Okanagan Wineries

Culture and sport

Marina in Downtown Kelowna

• Westbank First Nation
• Kelowna Rockets – Major Junior hockey team in the Western Hockey League (Winners of the 2004 Memorial Cup)
• Kelowna Chiefs – Junior B hockey team in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League
• Okanagan Independent Film Festival
• Okanagan Sun – Canadian Junior Football League (Winners of the 1988 and 2000 Canadian Bowl)
• Okanagan Challenge – Pacific Coast Soccer League
• Kelowna Falcons – West Coast Collegiate Baseball League
• Okanagan All Stars Hockey Club
• World Community Film Festival

Education

Post-secondary

• University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus
• Okanagan College
• Focus College
• Justice Institute of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus)
• Sprott Shaw College (privately owned)
• The Centre for Arts and Technology (privately owned)
• VanWest College (privately owned)

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools in the Kelowna area are part of School District 23 Central Okanagan. (For a list of primary and middle schools, see the School District 23 Central Okanagan article)

• Secondary (grades 10–12 or 8–12):
  • Kelowna Secondary School (offers French immersion)
  • Rutland Senior Secondary School
  • Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School
  • Okanagan Mission Secondary School
  • George Elliot Secondary School
  • Central School − Central Programs & Services: Alternative High School

The Conseil scolaire francophone de la Colombie-Britannique operates one Francophone school: école de l'Anse-au-sable primary and secondary school.

Private schools

• Aberdeen Hall Preparatory School Preparatory School (pre-school, K−12)
• Kelowna Christian School (Pre-12)
• Heritage Christian School (K−12)
• Studio 9 School of The Arts (preschool−11)
• Okanagan Adventist Academy (pre−12)
• Immaculata Regional High School (8–12)
• St. Joseph Elementary (K−7)
• Kelowna Waldorf School (pre−8)
• Okanagan Montessori School (preschool and kindergarten)
• Okanagan Montessori, preschool-grade 6, after-school care
• Willowstone Academy (pre-school, K–9)

Public libraries

• The Okanagan Regional Library has three branches in Kelowna
  • Kelowna Branch (Downtown)
  • Rutland Branch
  • Mission Branch
  • UBCO Branch

Notable people

Politicians

• W. A. C. Bennett, late Premier of British Columbia
• William R. Bennett, served as Premier of the province

Military

• Charles Thomas, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

Athletes

• Steve Bozek, professional ice hockey player
• Aleisha Cline, cross skier, Winter X Games medallist
• Jason Crumb, professional football player
• Mike Crumb, professional football player
• Byron Dafoe, professional ice hockey player
• Scott Frandsen, Olympic rower
• Rob Friend, professional footballer
• Josh Gorges, professional ice hockey player
• Darren Jensen, professional ice hockey player
• Conrad Leinemann, Olympic beach volleyball player
• Rory MacDonald, professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter
• Heather Mandoli, Olympic rower
• Axel Merckx, professional road cyclist
• Kees Nierop, professional race car driver
• Taylor Ruck, Olympic swimmer
• Justin Schultz, professional ice hockey player
• Kelsey Serwa, Gold medal Olympic ski cross athlete
• Tyler Shelast, professional ice hockey player
• Kierra Smith, Olympic swimmer
• Paul Spoljaric, professional baseball player
• Ryan Stewart, professional ice hockey player
• Christie Van Hees, professional racquetball player, former US Open & World Champion
• Danny Watkins, professional football player
• Jackson Whistle, professional hockey player
• Jerod Zaleski, professional football player
• Jeff Zimmerman, professional baseball player
• Jordan Zimmerman, professional baseball player
• Tij Iginla (born 2006), ice hockey player, picked 6th overall in 2024 NHL draft by Utah Hockey Club

Entertainers

• Chad Brownlee, country music artist
• Conro, DJ and producer
• Datsik, DJ and producer
• Ryan Ellsworth, actor
• Excision, DJ and producer
• Jillian Harris, television personality
• Taylor Hickson, actress, singer-songwriter
• Janyse Jaud, actress/singer
• Paul Johansson, actor
• Taylor Kitsch, actor/model
• Evangeline Lilly, actress/model
• Julie Masi, vocalist, songwriter and musician (The Parachute Club)
• Lauren Glazier, actress
• Twistzz, professional Counter Strike: Global Offensive player for Team Liquid
• Lee Tockar voice actor
• Stutterfly
• Secret & Whisper
• Shreddy Krueger

Authors

• Fern G. Z. Carr
• Melonie Dodaro
• Alix Hawley
• Naben Ruthnum
• Jack Whyte

Sister cities

Kelowna has "sister city" agreements with the following cities:

• Kasugai, Aichi, Japan

Freedom of the City

The following People and Military Units have received the Freedom of the City of Kelowna.

Individuals

• Brigadier General Harry Herbert "H.H." Angle DSO ED: January 7, 1946.
• Barbara Ann Scott OC OOnt: October 24, 1949.
• The Honourable W. A. C. Bennett PC OC: December 8, 1952.
• George Howard Dunn: April 4, 1955.
• Stanley Merriam Simpson: April 15, 1957.
• William John Knox OBE: January 3, 1961.
• Major General, The Honourable George Randolph Pearkes VC PC CC CB DSO MC CD OD: April 24, 1967.
• Richard Francis "Dick" Parkinson: January 5, 1970.
• Walter Frederick Anderson: September 28, 1981.
• Blair Horn: September 11, 1984.
• The Honourable William Richards "Bill" Bennett PC OBC: November 1, 1988.
• James H. Stuart: July 1, 2001.
• Benjamin "Ben" Lee: July 1, 2001.
• Senator, The Honourable D. Ross Fitzpatrick OBC: May 26, 2008.
• Walter Gray: April 25, 2015.
• Andre Blanleil: April 25, 2015.
• Robert Hobson: April 25, 2015.

Military Units

• The British Columbia Dragoons: February 11, 1963.

See also

In Spanish: Kelowna para niños