Boredom shouldn’t be an issue this Canada Day.
For those celebrating July 1 in Parksville, there will be a little something for everyone.
Starting off the day will be a pancake breakfast hosted by the Shriners in the Coastal Community Credit Union parking lot, located at 140 Alberni Hwy.
The Canada Day parade will then kick off at 10 a.m. The floats will travel from Shelly Road in east Parksville, along the Island Hwy and up Craig St. to the Parksville Civic and Technology Centre.
The annual celebrations in Parksville Community Park will open with a ceremony on the mainstage at noon, said one of the day’s organizers Bonnie Wallis. The opening ceremonies will include some words from Michelle Stilwell, MLA; Parksville mayor Marc Lefebvre and Robin Shaw of the Parksville Chamber of Commerce.
At that point, the vendors set up in the park will be open for business until around 9 p.m. Alongside the shopping, community organizations such as Oceanside Youth Football and the RDN’s Team Watersmart will also be represented.
For kids, there will be plenty of opportunities to be active. Wallis said one section of the park will have an obstacle course, a “Euro bungy unit,” a wrecking ball, Zorb balls and a bounce-a-rama with slide. These activities are pay-per-use.
The Chamber of Commerce is also sponsoring a second set of bouncy toys, which includes two bounce-a-rama areas, a balloon typhoon and and double hoop basketball. With the purchase of a $5 wristband, children can participate “as many times as they want,” she said.
When you get hungry, Wallis said there will be a collection of food trucks parked near the festivities. Expect to see gourmet burgers, fries, sliders, wraps, coffee, desserts, salads, pizza and much more.
Also, be sure to put your eyes to the skies just after lunch time. A parachute jumper from Skydive Vancouver Island in Qualicum Beach is scheduled to land on the park’s volleyball courts around 12:20 p.m.
While you’re taking in the sights, be sure to head back to the mainstage throughout the day to take in the musical entertainment.
There are nine bands set to play, with genres ranging from folk and country to arena rock and reggae, said organizer Megan Olsen.
New talent Alex Wicket will kick things off from 12:30-1 p.m., followed by Tora Leigh from 1:15-2 p.m. and Mike Tompkins from 2:15-3 p.m.
Long-time local performers Bev Finch and the Baseman will then play from 3:15-4 p.m.
From 4:15-5 p.m., Nanaimo contemporary country band The Boot Hill Boys will take the stage. They will then be followed by bluesy rock locals Counting Time from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and classic arena rock cover band Turn it up to 11 from 6:45-7:45 p.m.
Finally, reggae group Tasman Jude will play from 8-8:45 p.m. and Canadian band The Odds will headline starting at 9 p.m. This last group will run until just before 10 p.m.
Then, of course, there will be a fireworks display at Parksville beach to cap off the night. Sponsored by Thrifty Foods, the fireworks will start around 10 p.m. or “whenever it’s dark enough to get the full effect,” said Wallis.
If you’d like to get really involved for the day, Wallis also said organizers are still in definite need of volunteers.
To help out, call volunteer coordinator Beth Ross at 250-228-2384.
