На авиационно-автомобильном фестивале в Келовне медведь стал главным аттракционом

Black bear steals the show at third annual Wings and Wheels event in Kelowna Published 8:56 am Monday, August 24, 2026 Classic cars, gleaming aircraft, aviation and car enthusiasts filled the grounds at Kelowna International Airport (YLW) on Saturday for the third annual Wings and Wheels event, but the unexpected star of the show wasn’t a Lamborghini or an airplane – it was a black bear that had climbed a tree near the entrance. Thousands of people flocked to the event in anticipation of setting their sights on hundreds of fancy cars and airplanes, but eyes quickly turned to the flashing lights of a Conservation Officer vehicle and a black bear stuck in a tree. Organizers told Black Press Media the animal was spotted in the early morning hours during event setup, with evidence of a mother and her cubs earlier in the form of bear scat droppings near the front gate. “We had a wildlife encounter this morning with a bear,” confirmed Kent Hardisty, president of the Kelowna Flying Club. “The conservation people are here currently, coaxing the bear out of the tree. They’ve tranquillized it, but the bear is currently having a nice nap, and so we’re just trying to keep the sound down a little bit.” Motor enthusiast Jim Harris described the situation in more detail, watching from the other side of a fence moments before the bear fell from the tree and landed on the pavement about 12-15 feet below. “The bear has been up there since 5 o’clock this morning. The conservation officers came. They put some darts in her, but then they said the next step was to call the fire department, so here they are,” explained Harris. With hundreds of curious spectators, conservation officers and firefighters worked together to clear the area before the bear fell from the tree. It appeared dazed and unable to walk or keep its head up, and there was a general feeling of concern from the public about the bear’s well-being. Despite the distraction, crowds continued to stream into the event, ready to check out what Wings and Wheels had to offer. More than 130 cars were lined up from end to end, as well as 35-40 aircraft. Last year’s event drew roughly 3,000 people, but the president was predicting an even bigger turnout. This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Ariel Tyk, a club member who first came up with the idea of combining cars and aircraft in an annual event at the Kelowna Flying Club. Tyk passed away earlier in 2026. The free family-friendly event showcased all types of vehicles, including classic cars, modern machines, supercars and more. It also featured a wide variety of planes and helicopters, which were greatly appreciated by those in attendance. Donations were encouraged, with proceeds supporting the YLW Scholarship Fund, which helps local students pursue an aviation career in the Okanagan. The event also aims to grow interest in general aviation and the Kelowna Flying Club. Kent Littleton, manager of the Kelowna Flying Club program, tells Black Press Media the one-day event was about making the club visible and approachable. “If you love planes, you belong in the club. We’ve got a lot of members who are non-pilots; some are just plane enthusiasts,” explained Littleton. The Kelowna Flying Club membership offers flying hours with additional time available at hourly rates. The club currently has between 130 and 180 members, ranging from ages 14-80. Even with the bear drawing attention away from the show, visitors were thrilled with the overall experience. Organizers and visitors all hoped the bear situation would resolve safely. The status of the bear is not known at this time, but Black Press Media has reached out to BC Conservation, the Kelowna Fire Department and YLW for more information.