Overlander’s Day shows off the best of the North Shore

Aug 22, 2016 | 11:14 AM

KAMLOOPS — Quite often, the North Shore gets a bad rap, but organizations like the North Shore Business Improvement Association are working to change that. On Saturday, the NCBIA helped host the 4th annual Overlander’s Day; a celebration for businesses and residents from North Kamloops, Brock, Westsyde, and beyond.

By the time the noon hour rolled around, the sun was baking McDonald park; despite the heat, people flocked to Overlander’s Day.

“In 2013, a bunch of us got together at the [NCBIA] and said there’s no big family… and summer event on the North Shore, for the North Shore,” NCBIA Executive Director Steven Puhallo explained. “It’s been going ever since. [This year] is our fourth annual.”

The event was an opportunity for North Shore businesses to show their stuff, and for families to come out and have a fun day in the park.

Mike Ward, who owns Reubin’s Diner said the event is all about hosting a day with a distinctly North Shore flavour. “I’m really proud of the North Shore,” Ward said. “I work on the North Shore, I’ve lived on the North Shore, so too see how it’s grown is really special to me.”

Along with all the activities, one of the highlights of the day is the ‘Taste of the North Shore’, where local restaurants showed off their best dishes, all in support of Interior Community Services.

According to one North Shore resident, the neighbourhood is awash with unique little restaurants. “We have a lot of really great restaurants on the North Shore,” he told CFJC Today. The resident also said it was great to have such a great event, like Overlander’s Day so close to home. “I live a block away, and it’s really nice to have events like this you can walk over to, and bring your family over and enjoy.”

The event drew several thousand people to the park, throughout the day. It’s all part of what many hope is a renaissance on the north bank of the Thompson River.