Cowichan Lake’s annual Heritage Days celebration, held mainly over the May long weekend, offers a variety of events for the whole family.
It all begins on Friday, May 20 with historical displays at several spots around the district including the Kaatza Station Museum, the Honeymoon Bay Community Hall and the Youbou Heritage Lanes bowling alley at the Youbou Community Hall.
There is also a self-guided walking tour around Lake Cowichan itself (get a map at the info centre or the museum), a gently-read book sale to benefit the food bank starts at the Royal Bank and the annual Kaatza Art Group show and sale starts at the Honeymoon Bay Hall.
On Saturday, the Kaatza Station Museum is offering (from 10 a.m. to noon) a chance to dress up in vintage clothes and have a photo taken at a special booth. A $5 donation goes to the Annex project.
The museum itself will also be open all day, showing off its railway display, collection of logging photos and a celebration of 85 years of Scouting.
In Ts’uubaa-asatx Town Square from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. there’s a farmer’s market to explore, and nearby at Saywell Park the Lake Bloomers Garden Club are holding their plant and hanging basket sale.
At 11 a.m. the colourful Logging Truck Parade leaves its marshalling point at Darling Tire and winds its way through town to the park, where awards will be handed out.
While you’re planning your Saturday, think about joining a couple of other activities at Saywell Park.
For dog owners, there’s a Pooch Parade and Show. Register with a $2 donation to the Animal Rescue Society at 10:30 a.m. for judging at 11 a.m.; the parade begins at noon.
And for the kids themselves, there’s a Bike Parade.
Registration starts at noon at the park’s gazebo; your child can get in for a $2 donation to support youth programs. The parade itself starts at 1 p.m.
Kids can also enjoy colouring in the park and a fish pond.
There will be food vendors at the site, too, so plan on spending some outdoor time with the family there.
On Sunday, the displays at the museum and the vintage photo booth are back and the art show continues.
There’s also a self-guided tour of the Rhododendron Memorial Park on Point Ideal Road, plus a special Heritage Trunk Treasures sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
A community picnic is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bell Tower School beside the museum, and a colouring contest and a children’s scavenger hunt are planned.
If you feel like performing, there’s a Heritage Talent Show as well.
Register at 11 a.m. at the Lake Cowichan Visitors Centre and get ready to strut your stuff starting at noon. Entry is a $5 donation to support the local Radio Cowichan station.