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Thanksgiving weekend starts Friday, and the Okanagan is doing what it does best: turning harvest season into a long-weekend excuse to celebrate.

From Friday, October 9 through Monday, October 12, the valley is packed with things worth leaving the house for.

Wine country in full harvest swing

Grizzli Winery's annual Fall Fest runs Saturday, October 10 from 2 to 6 p.m. — free and family-friendly, with a local vendor market, live music, apple bobbing, s'mores, a scavenger hunt, and a Thankful Tree.

Gray Monk Estate Winery hosts Jazz & Vines on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.

Peak Cellars throws its Oktoberfest the same afternoon, and Sandhill Wines offers line dance lessons for an Oktoberfest with a western twist.

Night owls can catch The Art of Magic & Illusion: Mind Games at Crown & Thieves on Sunday at 8 p.m.

Beer month is here

October is B.C. Craft Beer Month, and the 3rd Annual Central Okanagan Brewers Association Open turns local breweries into a city-wide mini golf tournament — putts, pints, and prizes.

It is a clever way to put independent breweries front and center during their biggest month.

Dinner and a show

The Kelowna Yacht Club is serving Thanksgiving dinner Friday and Saturday evenings — let someone else cook for once.

The Australian Bee Gees bring the disco to the Kelowna Community Theatre on Saturday at 7 p.m., and the Kelowna Rock Choir takes the same stage Friday at 7:30.

Family time

Kangaroo Creek Farm opens its gates October 10 through 12 for up-close time with the animals.

Davison Orchards in Vernon runs its U-Pick Pumpkin Tours all weekend, and the Annual Gratitude East Kelowna Market fills the East Kelowna Hall on Sunday morning.

Harvest season is the Okanagan's greatest economic engine wearing its Sunday best.

The farmers, brewers, winemakers, and vendors behind these events are the people who keep this valley working all year.

The best way to thank them is to show up, spend locally, and bring the family.

Happy Thanksgiving, Kelowna.