Thanksgiving is often linked to the 1612 harvest feast held by the Puritans in Plymouth, Massachusetts, but many criticize this association for promoting a colonial myth. In reality, harvest celebrations long predate European settlement in North America. Some historians argue that the first Thanksgiving in North America took place in Canada in 1578, following Martin Frobisher’s safe arrival in Newfoundland after a failed attempt to find the Northwest Passage. Even earlier, Indigenous Peoples had their own traditions for honoring the Earth’s abundance during the fall season.

In Canada, starting in 1921, Thanksgiving and Armistice Day were observed on the same day in November. To better honor veterans, Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day in 1931 and set as November 11 each year. Thanksgiving, meanwhile, did not become an official holiday in Canada until 1957. At that time, E.C. Drury, a former premier of Ontario and a farmer, lamented that “the farmers’ own holiday has been taken over by the towns.”

Beairsto School Harvest sale circa 1955. GVMA #3295.

Despite Drury’s concerns, today Thanksgiving remains closely tied to food and the celebration of the harvest. In the Vernon News, there was little mention of the holiday until 1934, when seasonal advertisements started to appear. Interestingly, turkey did not seem to the main dish of choice at the time. Purity Grocery at the Hudson’s Bay Company store promoted hams at 50 cents per pound, along with jellied mint sauce for 29 cents per 16-ounce jar, as well as a selection of cheese, pickles, and desserts. While P. Burns & Co. Meat Merchants did include turkey and chicken in their ad, they also featured lamb shoulder at 14 cents per pound, leg of lamb at 22 cents per pound, and pork and beef roasts at 16 and 15 cents per pound, respectively.

Harvesting apples in the Okanagan circa 1911. GVMA #18602.

Of course, the Okanagan Valley’s bountiful harvest has always extended beyond meat and animal products. Apples are a standout example, with different varieties rising and falling in popularity over the years. In the 1910s, McIntosh and Jonathan were the favorites, later replaced by Spartan, Fuji, Gala, and Jonagold. Today, Ambrosia, a variety native to the Valley, is among the most popular, prized for its perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Other staples of the Okanagan harvest have included pears, plums, tomatoes, squashes, grapes, and root vegetables. This abundance reflects the valley’s rich agricultural heritage and its diverse, fertile land.

Archives Manager, Gwyneth Evans