Celebrate 158 years of Canada in Cowichan

Oh, Canada!

With all that is currently happening in the world, there is truly no better time to be Canadian, or to don red and white and take pride in the country as it celebrates its 158th birthday. Various venues will be getting the party started early to celebrate the nation in fine fashion.

In Lake Cowichan early birds get more than a worm on July 1, they get a stack of warm pancakes served fresh off the griddle at the Lake Cowichan Fire Hall at 7 a.m., followed by a patriotic parade hitting the main drag at 11 a.m., with complimentary snacks for all to enjoy.

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Mesachie Lake gets the party started a little later from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Mesachie Lake Community Hall with the perfect blend of music, dancing, arts and crafts, games, and the sweet taste of birthday cupcakes.

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In North Cowichan the BC Forest Discovery Centre start the festivities off on the right track with a full day of fun starting at 10 a.m. with a barbecue and concession offered on the lower grounds.

It's full steam ahead aboard the SHAY #1 Steam Locomotive with the first train ride of the day at 10:30 a.m, which will then continue to ride the rails every 30 minutes. At 12:45 p.m. there will be speeches by dignitaries followed by a flag raising ceremony at 12:55 as The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #53 and 744 Cowichan Royal Canadian Air Cadets sing the national anthem. Marching to their own beat at 1 p.m. will be the Cowichan Pipes and Drums followed by the Kathy White Highland Dancers who will keep things moving at 1:15. At 1:30 p.m., let there be cake. 

The Forest Discovery Centre will be offering a $5 admission rate to party like a patriot as admission will include unlimited train rides , access to all the museum and historical outbuildings as well as a chance to tour the exhibits ‘A Seat at the Table’ showcasing B.C.’s rich Chinese history, and 'Forest Forever.' Little ones will love the Canada Day scavenger hunt and tattoos, and all children two and under get in free.   

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Also in North Cowichan, no one quite celebrates the maple leaf like the community of Maple Bay as they roll out their annual parade, which will hit streets from Andy Hutchins Park at 10:30 a.m., as it makes its way to the Maple Bay Rowing Club where the festivities will continue at the beach area.

This year's parade theme is 'Respecting the farmers on whom we depend at least three times a day', and per usual prizes will be awarded for best parade entries. 

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Further south, Shawnigan Lake also gets things started on the right foot with their own colourful parade which will will start at Elsie Miles Community Park at 11 a.m. The festivities, which will run until 2 p.m., will include live entertainment, inflatable games, crafts, food trucks and more, with the Pacific Edge Chorus singing 'O Canada', at noon.   

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It won't be a run of the mill celebration in Mill Bay as the Mill Bay Lions host a yummy pancake breakfast at the Malahat Legion from 8:30 to 11 a.m. It's just a hop, skip, and a jump to the take in the Shawnigan Lake parade before the Legion serves up some free cake and live music from P.A. & the 2 Tones from 1 to 4 p.m.

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What better way to celebrate than with the music of 39 Days of July at Charles Hoey Memorial Park, with the Beautiful Maladies closing down the festivities at City Square stage at 8:30 p.m.? See the full line up of the talent Longevity John has in store in a separate article in this edition of the Citizen.