Several bouncy castles will be well used for Minetown Day on Saturday, Aug. 12. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

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Aug 12, 2023 | 5:55 AM

LANTZVILLE — A unique, community-driven celebration of Lantzville will draw large crowds to the village core.

The annual Minetown Day festivities happen on Saturday, Aug. 12, with most activities taking place at Huddlestone Park.

Royal Canadian Legion Branch 257 hosts a breakfast between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. ($8 for adults/$5 for kids), while the popular kids bike parade proceeds north on Lantzville Rd. to the park between 10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

Robyn Hewer of the Seaside Community Society and Minetown Day planning committee said excitement has been building for weeks in anticipation of the popular event.

“We’ve got food trucks, the Legion puts on a burger and hot dog spread, there’s a bike parade for kids of all ages, bouncy castles, contests — it’s really fun for everybody in the community,” Hewer told NanaimoNewsNOW.

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Nail-hammering and watermelon eating competitions, backyard games and dog agility demonstrations will all happen at the park, Hewer noted.

Numerous community vendors selling a range of goods will be set up, most of whom accept cash-only.

Several local corporate partners and volunteers pulled together to establish a fun, family-focused event, while the District of Lantzville supplied an annual grant.

“That’s the main focus, bringing the families out and giving them an opportunity to have a day of fun that’s not costly and has entertainment for everybody of all ages.”

First celebrated in 1975, Minetown Day has evolved and expanded over the years, but always paid tribute to the community’s deep mining roots, which led to the growth of the population and other amenities.

“It started in the mid-1970s as a celebration for the 50th anniversary as the Lantzville Hotel and we still see the Lantzville Hotel, operating as the Lantzville Pub, as one of our main sponsors of the day,” Hewer said.

Lantzville Rd. will be closed between Ware Rd. and Huddlestone Rd. between 9:45 a.m. and 11 a.m. to accommodate the kids bike parade.

Parking won’t be permitted on Lantzville Rd. in front of Huddlestone Park, or on Huddlestone Rd. during the event.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is providing free transit on its Lantzville #11 route to accommodate Minetown Day.

Following consecutive scaled-down events due to pandemic-related challenges, Minetown Day returned in full force last year.

This year’s Minetown Day itinerary (Seaside Community Society)

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ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes