Organizers say there is no danger that Lake Days will be cancelled in 2019.
This was good news, coming on the heels of talk at the Chamber of Commerce AGM that the long-running festival could be in trouble, which we reported last week. While the event can always use more volunteers, organizers say they have never considered packing in the towel and were upset by any suggestion that they were.
We apologize for any inconvenience our original report has caused the Lake Days Committee and it’s co-chair Parm Birk. In reporting, we go with the best information we have at the time, and sometimes the story changes later, as in this case. But in the end it could be a blessing in disguise.
The news travelled like wildfire on social media, creating a groundswell of support for Lake Days.
People were coming out of the woodwork offering assistance.
It goes to show how passionately people do care about their community, and how this type of event becomes part of its heart and soul.
We saw a similar response several years ago when Lake Days was indeed in hot water until Cowichan Lake’s Kin Club stepped up to take the reins after previous organizers bowed out due to burnout.
Many volunteer community organizations across the Cowichan Valley and beyond are facing similar concerns, as leaders get older, or simply get tired of carrying the weight. Some are not as fortunate as Lake Days has been, and have folded, fading into history.
But these organizations and events like Lake Days are an important part of the community. They bring people together and celebrate the good things a community has to offer. They create memories and are part of our shared history.
It is sad that Lady of the Lake, unlike Lake Days, is definitely cancelled this year. There simply weren’t enough entrants to hold it. It is usually a popular part of the Lake Days celebrations.
It’s cancellation is particularly sad for the four young women who did want to enter, and now will likely not have the opportunity.
We are heartened that rather than just letting the whole thing fade away, there is talk about alternatives and rule changes to keep the program going next year and beyond. Some of the things being bandied about are changing the age limits, or changing it to an ambassador program and letting boys enter.
It’s important to keep in mind that while holding on to past traditions can be important, so can changing with the times and evolving into something new that is meaningful and exciting for a new generation.
