05/26/2026
Please keep an eye out and spread the word.
This tent belongs to our charitable society and has been used at many events by many organizations in our community .
UPDATE: Well… social media apparently works.
After yesterday’s post about the stolen Oliver Volunteer Fire & Rescue Society event tent, the canopy was found dumped in the ditch out front beside the highway near the distillery.
Thankfully it appears to have been returned after the community started sharing the post far and wide.
We sincerely appreciate everyone who shared the post, kept an eye out, sent messages, and supported the effort to get it back. It clearly made a difference.
While we’re disappointed it was taken in the first place — especially from a volunteer organization that uses it for community events — we’re relieved it’s been recovered and can hopefully still continue serving local events and gatherings.
To whoever returned it: thank you for making the decision to bring it back.
And to this community: thank you for proving once again how quickly people rally together when something affects local community events.
TUESDAY: Last night, a large 20’ x 20’ peaked vinyl canopy tent belonging to the Oliver Volunteer Fire & Rescue Society was stolen from the Dubh Glas Distillery property near our community stage.
The tent had only been set out barely 24 hours earlier in preparation for our June 20 community anniversary event — a free local event that brings together musicians, families, volunteers, and hundreds of community members each year.
What makes this especially frustrating is that only the vinyl canopy itself was taken — not the poles or hardware required to actually use it as a functioning tent. It appears to have been a crime of opportunity, but unfortunately it leaves a volunteer organization and community event footing the bill for a replacement rental.
This tent has served our community for over 5 years after being donated to the Fire Department Society. It has been used for fire department events, training seminars, parks & recreation functions, and loaned out to help support other local organizations as well.
We’re hopeful this post reaches the right person and the tent can simply be returned. No questions asked. It can be dropped off at the fire hall or returned to where it was taken from.
If anyone saw suspicious activity in the area last night, or has security footage from the frontage road area nearby, please contact the Oliver RCMP and reference File #2026-2413. Surveillance footage in the area is currently being reviewed.
Stealing from volunteer organizations doesn’t just affect equipment — it affects community events that people enjoy together.
Please share.
