Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol: Round 2— Provincial

The Search for B.C.’s Best Symbol completes its second round today with a series of matchups about man-made provincial icons that can be found in different areas across British Columbia.

The battle of Okanagan icons — wineries vs. Ogopogo — highlight the 4 matchups in today's votes

Justin McElroy · CBC News · Posted: Jul 24, 2025 9:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: July 24

A collage consisting of the N licence plate, the B.C. flag, a Terry Fox statue and an environmental protester. — Terry Fox statues, the B.C. flag, the 'N' licence plate and tree huggers are four of the final eight provincial symbols in the Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol (CBC News)

Centred around its long, slithering lake, British Columbia's Okanagan region has a geography and culture all its own in this province — and that extends to its symbols.

"Both these stories are about hope … we want to believe something is out there, and have it keep going," said Christine Campbell, a wine specialist and writer at Girls Go Grape, in talking about the similarities between Ogopogo and a bottle of Okanagan wine.

In Ogopogo's case, the connection is clear — a mythical monster that resides in the lake, known to the Westbank First Nation as n ̓x̌ax̌aitkʷ, both protecting the waters and inspiring people to be more mindful of the lake.

Why B.C.'s lakes inspire legends and myths of monsters

"It is a tourist draw. There's books, there's stuffed animals, there's tours. It's a bit part of the Okanagan," said Jason Hewlett, a researcher and author who starred in Cursed Waters, a recent film exploring the legend of Ogopogo.

But is a mysterious sea creature you can't see a more powerful symbol of the province than a multi-billion dollar industry visible from one side of the Okanagan to the other?

"I think the Ogopogo is a charming lake legend, but I think that I prefer merlot to myth, and I like tasting and seeing and touching and feeling what makes B.C. most wonderful," said Campbell.

The Early Edition9:03The search for B.C's best symbol goes to the Okanagan Valley today. One of the matchups is Okanagan Wine vs. Ogopogo

The legendary folklore of Ogopogo competes with the Okanagan Wine in the bracket to find B.C's best symbol. Producer and author Jason Hewlett represents Ogopogo and Christine Campbell is a Wine Judge & Educator speaking on behalf of Okanagan Wines.

How the provincial section of the bracket has played out so far (CBC News)

16 symbols remaining after today

The Search for B.C.'s Best Symbol completes its second round today with a series of matchups about man-made provincial icons that can be found in different areas across British Columbia:

Ogopogo vs. Okanagan wine.
B.C. flag vs. Highway route markers.
Mr. PG vs. Terry Fox statues.
Tree huggers vs. "N" licence plate stickers.

The four winners today will join the four winners from the Animal, Nature, and Coastal quadrants in the final 16.

ANIMALS: Orca, Steller's jay, spirit bear, sockeye salmon.
NATURE: Redcedar, Okanagan cherries, gold nugget, Dogwood.
COASTAL SYMBOLS: Totems, Nanaimo bars, Cowichan sweater, First Nation Northwest Coast art.