Canada Day activities are ready to roll in Chemainus on Friday, July 1 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at Waterwheel Park.
And everything is free courtesy of the Chemainus Business Improvement Association and numerous community sponsors.
“The Chemainus BIA is so excited to be able to bring back our free Canada Day Celebration event,” noted executive director Krystal Adams. “After such a long hiatus, it is simply nice to be able to have everyone out to celebrate once again. We love crafting family friendly fun activities and we can’t wait to see everyone once again.”
It hasn’t been without some major stumbling blocks.
“Even though the COVID restrictions are gone some of our old favourite activities are no longer available to us and we have replaced them with some new ones,” Adams pointed out. “Unfortunately, the petting zoo and pony rides are not here this year as they suffered, leading them to close, as a result of the COVID shutdowns. But not to worry, we have bouncy pony races and many more things to keep kids occupied.”
Following is a rundown on everything that’s going on and it’s all free:
Treasure Hunt and Pony Hop Game
Come to the Chemainus Valley Museum and try to win in its children’s treasure hunt and enjoy the fun pony hop race game. Everyone receives a prize.
Tropic Mayhem
A perfectly comprised mixture of vocals, guitar, bass and drums while reminiscing to fun upbeat music that you won’t be able to get out of your head is Tropic Mayhem’s forte. Carlson’s Dance Group from Chemainus will also be performing and a special guest has been arranged for the singing of O Canada.
Cake
What better way to celebrate than with cake. After the national anthem at noon, there will be a Canada Day celebration cake in front of the museum.
Face Painting
Show your pride with Canada flags and maple leaf body emblems or you can get into the spirit of family fun with the face painting artist who will be on hand for the festivities.
Swag
Come with your Canada gear and celebrate. Claim your free flags and more.
Bouncy Obstacle Course, Bounce House, Tall Slide
There’s a variety of activities to get the little ones’ energy out and let them have lots of fun.
Kids’ Crafts
The Inspiration Station helps to foster children’s creativity through a variety of crafts and projects you get to take home.
To fuel appetites, there will also be food and goodies available for a nominal cost or donation.
Chemainus Legion No. 191 will be cooking up hot dogs and hamburgers as part of its fundraising to ensure it can continue supporting community events such as this one.
And the Cowichan Neighbourhood house is providing popcorn and drinks by donation.
The event is free due to the generosity of Chemainus BIA, Heritage Canada, Chemainus Valley Museum, Coastal Community Credit Union, Beyond the Usual, Neighbourhood House, Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society, Chemainus Rotary, Chemainus Legion and 49th Parallel Grocery, with additional support from many others. Florence James is doing the First Nations welcome.