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Heritage Days on the May long weekend is a great time to celebrate Lake Cowichan’s 75 years

Logging truck parade, art and museum displays, lots for the family to see and do
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Enjoy the Heritage Days logging truck parade on Saturday, May 18 in Lake Cowichan. It leaves OK Tire at 11 a.m. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette file)

Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Town of Lake Cowichan and honour its history by joining the celebrations on the May long weekend.

Heritage Days is back, with lots of fun.

It all starts on May 13 with the annual “gently read” book sale at the Royal Bank, which runs until May 17.

However, Friday, May 17 is the kickoff for Heritage Days. A lot of the activities are focussed on Saywell Park, on South Shore Road.

At the Kaatza Station Museum, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there’s a 75th anniversary display, and the IWA/Wilmer Gold historical photos display and the planting of a London plane tree to honour the Town’s 75 years of existence.

At Youbou’s Heritage Lanes, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., there’s family bowling plus a photo display.

And, at Lake Cowichan’s Centennial Hall, by the arena on South Shore Road, check out the 75th anniversary Cowichan Lake photography exhibit and the annual Kaatza Art Group show from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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On Saturday, May 18, there’s lots to see and do in town.

At the Kaatza Museum, along with the displays that opened Friday, there’s also the museum’s used book sale.

And, at 2 p.m., there’s a special ceremony to celebrate the opening of the museum addition: a project that’s been exciting volunteers for years and adds significantly to the archive space at the facility.

At Saywell Park, at 10 a.m. the Communities in Bloom hanging basket sale starts under the gazebo. It only continues until they’re all gone and they go quickly, so if you want one, nip down there early.

Saturday’s fun also includes the annual Logging Truck Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. at OK Tire at the east end of town, and then finishes up at the Saywell Park parking lot, where you can check out the rigs and enjoy talking to their owners. Tea, coffee, and cookies are available.

New this year is a Jake’s at the Lake burger bar and Red Arrow beer garden from noon to 4 p.m. under the gazebo.

There’s also a Pooch Parade within the park itself. The last chance to register your pet is 11:30 a.m. The parade starts at noon. A $2 entrance fee goes to the Animal Rescue Society.

A Kids’ Bike Parade within the park starts at 1 p.m. The $2 entrance fee to this one goes to support youth programs.

Meanwhile, at the Marina, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. there’s the 75th anniversary Fishing Derby weigh-in.

If you’re not fishing and you didn’t see them Friday night, why not visit Centennial Hall for the Kaatza Art Group annual art show and the 75th anniversary Cowichan Lake photography exhibit? It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And then, put on your dancing shoes, warm up your vocals and dust off those stage clothes.

The Lake Cowichan 50+ Activity Centre is holding a Talent Night on Saturday, May 18. Showtime is from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Register at 250-749-6121 or at the Centre’s hostess desk.

Don’t feel like performing? Come along and be part of the audience. Performers love a good house, clapping and cheering.

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On Sunday, May 19, there’s again a Jakes at the Lake burger bar and Red Arrow Brew Garden from noon to 4 p.m. under the gazebo.

At the Kaatza Station Museum, from 1o a.m. until 4 p.m., check out the Town of Lake Cowichan 75th anniversary display and the IWA/Wilmer Gold historical photo display. The museum’s book sale continues Sunday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, outdoors, enjoy a self-guided tour of the Rhododendron Memorial Park, off nearby Point Ideal Road. You can get information at the museum.

At the Marina, there’s the 75th Anniversary Fishing Derby weigh-in from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by the Fishing Derby award dinner at the Riverside Inn for those who took part.



lexi.bainas@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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