Parksville is celebrating Canada Day in a big way, with the annual parade featuring close to 100 participants.
The all-day event begins on Sunday, July 1 at 7:30 a.m. with the Shriners pancake breakfast at the Coastal Community Credit Union parking lot. After breakfast folks can bring their lawn chairs or stand to watch the parade that begins at 10 a.m. The parade will run from Shelly Road along the Island Highway to Craig Street ending at city hall on Jensen Avenue.
Kim Burden, executive director at the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce, said this year the judges will have a reviewing station for parade participants rather than evaluating them at set up.
“That way they get a better idea of what the floats look like,” Burden said. “This is the usual great parade the small community puts together.”
Burden said the streets are “absolutely lined” with people eager to see the parade.
“We’ve had crowds estimated by the RCMP in the past of roughly 10,000 people watching. It’s a big deal,” he said.
After the parade, opening ceremonies will take place at noon at the Parksville Community Park at the main stage.
There will be plenty of kids activities throughout the afternoon including dance lessons, face painting, bouncy castles, kites and a watermelon eating contest at 3:30 p.m.
A drop-in volleyball tournament will take place at the park from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 6 p.m. KDAir will hold a promotional parachute jump landing on the volleyball court.
Live entertainment will be in full force throughout the afternoon with Jayden Holman performing from 3:30- 4:45 p.m., Moonshine Molly from 5-6 p.m., The Beatles Experience from 6:15-7:30 p.m., The Femme Fatales from 7:45-9 p.m. and Johnny Inappropriate from 9:15-10:15 p.m. and again from 10:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Food truck and vendors will be on site all day and the annual fireworks show will begin at 10:15 p.m.
All parking at the Community Park will be closed for the full day of festivities. There will be no parking available unless with a disability parking permit to show gate security.
Neighbouring communities are also celebrating.
In Qualicum Beach, a pancake breakfast will be served from 8:30 -11:30 a.m. at the legion (180 Veterans Way). The parade will begin at 11 a.m. with the Qualicum Beach Pipe Band leading the way.
The parade will start at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre and head down Second Avenue to Village Way. Opening ceremonies will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Veterans Way Stage. From 6:30 – 10 p.m. live music from the Timebenders and a street dance will take place.
In Bowser, events will run from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the legion and will include traditional activities plus a show and shine car show. All day kids events will include a scavenger hunt, candy floss and horse races. Entertainment from the Arrowsmith Pipe Band will take place at 3 p.m. and a cake cutting at 4 p.m.
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