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Canada Day events in the Cowichan Valley

There are many celebrations of Canada's birthday to attend in the Cowichan Valley

Centennial Park, Duncan

 

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, in recognition of both Canada Day and Aboriginal Day, the CVRD Island Savings Centre and Hiiye’yu Lelum Friendship Centre are offering free activities.

Join them at the park for face painting, animal balloons, an imagination station, a watermelon eating contest, lacrosse, ball hockey, mini golf, a bouncy castle for the little ones and an obstacle course for the not-so-little ones, and a fun photo booth.

If you register upon arrival, you can get a free lunch, compliments of the Hiiye’yu Lelum Society.

For more information, contact 250-748-7529.

Downtown Duncan

 

The Canada Day Celebrations in downtown Duncan organized by the 39 Days of July festival are centred on Charles Hoey Park and the area near the train station.

There is plenty of entertainment on the CUPE Stage, starting at 11 a.m. with Steve McKinnon, followed by R. Ariel at noon and Andy Goessling at 1 p.m.

The stage clears at 2 p.m. for dancing as the Kathy White troupe pause on their way to Scotland for a presentation of highland dancing.

Then, at 3 p.m. the Hardware Girls bring their music to the stage followed at 4 p.m. by cool hillbilly group, Pat Temple and the Hi Lo Players.

At 5 p.m., the band Tropic Mayham steps up, complete with their Hawaiian shirts, bringing their beach party sounds to the park. At 6 p.m., it’s Annie Sumi and Tannie Slimmon. Finally, at 7 p.m., enjoy a show by Entangados.

This band of musicians and actors from Argentina performs as clowns, and also mix theatre with music genres such as rock, cuarteto, música balkánica, reggae, cumbia, ska, folklore, and tango.

Make tracks to the train station parking lot for the Identity Graphics Canada Cup Mixed 4 on 4 ball hockey tournament.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. competition will take place among teams consisting of six players, which always include a female on the court. Check the 39 Days of July Facebook page for entry forms.

At 4 p.m., there’s also a Canada Day celebration with free cake from Thrifty’s for all who attend.

Maple Bay

 

New this year, in addition to the annual parade, barbecue, displays and various waterfront activities, local artists will be participating by setting up booths to display and sell their artwork.

The parade offers lots of family fun. Muster at the Herd Road dog park across from the old firehall at 9:30 a.m. for a 10:30 a.m. start.

There are awards for the following categories: biggest family or group; best dressed pet; best dressed child, toddler, or baby; youngest participant; oldest participant; best bicycle; best decorated car; best float; best woman suffragette (this year’s theme) and latest Canadian citizen.

Once that’s over, there are activities down by the boat launch, including a band, a children’s marine creature park, food, and a Canada Day cake.

BC Forest Discovery Centre

 

The BC Forest Discovery Centre is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 1, 2 and 3 so pack a picnic basket and make tracks to the big park for some outdoor fun, and the chance to ride the train.

Note: This event is included in BCFDC memberships.

Shawnigan Lake

 

Canada Day in Shawnigan begins with a pancake breakfast at the Malahat Legion hosted by the Legion and the Mill Bay Lions Club, with the $7 entry fee supporting their community projects. Breakfast will be served from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.

After breakfast, the South End honours Canada’s history by raising the flag and singing O Canada at the flagpole at Cairn Park, across the road from the Legion hall.

Assembly for the annual Canada Day parade will happen near the park after the ceremony and then the parade will lead off at 11:30 a.m. down Shawnigan Mill Bay Road to the Elsie Miles school grounds.

Wave on local organizations, children on decorated bicycles, floats and more, sponsored by the Shawnigan Lake Community Association.

There will also be a giant birthday cake. The grounds will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m..

Chemainus

 

Canada Day celebrations take place at Waterwheel Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, July 1.

Families can enjoy lots of free activities, courtesy of the Chemainus Business Improvement Association, the Chemainus Valley Museum and Heritage Canada.

There’s a bouncy castle and games, plus pony rides and petting zoo by Tigerlily Farms, and crafts such as painting your own pet rock. Kids can also try “gold panning” for goodies courtesy of Silver Mine’s sand box.

The Chemainus Valley Museum is holding a garage sale. The national anthem will be sung at noon, and then everyone can enjoy pieces of a special Canada Day cake and a scoop of ice cream, supplied by 49th Parallel and Island Farms.

Cotton candy and popcorn are available, from Coastal Community Credit Union and Neighbourhood House.

The Chemainus Legion #191 and Chemainus Valley Museum will be cooking and plating barbecue lunches in the park. The Legion will be fundraising to ensure they can continue to support community events such as this one. The Chemainus Valley Museum will also be offering hotdogs. Impulse Pizza will be onsite with their hand made pies.

Tropic Mayhem and the Oh! Ogopogo group will be providing live music.

Mesachie Lake

 

At Mesachie Lake Skydome field on Canada Day, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Cowichan Lake Recreation is holding its big evening of free activities.

There’s entertainment for the whole family, including races, crafts, games and face painting.

There are also vendors, a concession stand, performers and live music, and cake so bring the whole family.