Centennial Park, Duncan
July 1 is Family Fun Day at Centennial Park in Duncan.
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 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, a photo booth, mini golf, a bouncy castle and an obstacle course.
If you register upon arrival, you can get a free lunch, compliments of the Hiiye’yu Lelum Society.
For more information, contact 250-748-2242 or 250-746-3452.
Downtown Duncan
In downtown Duncan, on Canada Day, July 1, at the Train Station parking lot, enjoy a 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.
There’s a Human Mixed Foosball Tournament, too, also from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. No expertise is required to participate. Teams here, too, consist of six members but substitutions are allowed.
The holiday music schedule at Charles Hoey Park sees acts change hourly from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At 4 p.m., there’s also a Canada Day celebration with free cake for all who attend.
That night, at Duncan’s City Square Stage see Sunday Wilde at 7:30 p.m. followed at 8:30 p.m. by Uncle Wiggley’s Hot Shoes Blues Band.
Note: No fireworks are planned for Canada Day due to the dry weather the area has experienced.
Maple Bay
Canada Day at Maple Bay offers a parade starting at the Herd Road dog park (assemble at 9:30 for a 10:30 a.m. start).
Andy Hutchins will choose parade entry winners in these categories: most patriotic, best dressed pet, best bike, latest Canadian citizen, biggest family, best dressed child, toddler or baby, best decorated car, oldest participant, best float and best 50 years of Canadian flag anniversary motif, so plan to dazzle him with your entry.
There’s also tennis at the courts for kids under 14, starting at 9:30 a.m. Bring your racquet and enjoy some summer fun.
In addition, the Community Association is organizing a beanbag toss, three legged race, egg and spoon race, welly wanging, sack race, some inside activities, a bouncy castle, and food.
Coffee and cake are free. Note: Those who want to launch boats that day before 3 p.m. are asked to avoid the launching ramp in Maple Bay and instead use the ramps at Crofton or Chemainus.
BC Forest Discovery Centre
The BC Forest Discovery Centre loves to celebrate Canada Day with family fun, too.
They’re open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1 so pack a picnic basket and make tracks to the big park for some outdoor fun, and, of course, the chance to ride the train.
Note: This event is included in BCFDC memberships.
Shawnigan Lake
If you’re in a Shawnigan state of mind, there’s lots to do on July 1 because the village will be rocking.
The day begins with a pancake breakfast at the Malahat Legion hosted by the Legion and the Mill Bay Lions Club, supporting their community projects. Breakfast will be served from 9 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 just before 11 a.m. in Cairn Park, then the parade will lead off at 11:30 a.m. down Shawnigan Mill Bay Road to the Elsie Miles school grounds.
Find a good spot along the route to wave on local organizations, children on decorated bicycles, floats and more.
A Family Fun Carnival on the Elsie Miles grounds will include stage entertainment by Pony Club, Country Trio and belly dancers.
There are Kids Can Build projects made from wood, jousting and an inflatable obstacle course; a concession; games; fish pond; and Shawnigan Fire House.
There will also be a giant birthday cake. The grounds will be open from noon to 3 p.m. so come and enjoy.
A mini Canada Day Triathlon will offer a chance to get wet without going into the lake and a portable ball hockey game will also be set up for young hockey enthusiasts.
The Shawnigan Historical Society will open the museum so drop in for a walk down memory lane.
This event is hosted by the Shawnigan Lake Community Association and supported by the Province of B.C. and the Government of Canada.
Chemainus
Meanwhile, in Chemainus, Canada Day celebrations take place at Waterwheel Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1. Families can enjoy free pony rides, a
petting zoo, bouncy castle, face painting, crafts for kids, cake and ice cream and much much more, presented by the Chemainus Business Improvement Association, the Chemainus Valley Museum and the Chemainus Valley Cultrual Arts Society.
Tropic Mayhem and the Bopoma Marimba 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 a bouncy castle, crafts, games and face painting.
There are also vendors, a concession stand, performers and live music.
Note: There are no fireworks because of the extreme fire hazard in the region.
