Maffeo Sutton Park will once again be the place to be for July 1 celebrations in Nanaimo, with the fun and games starting at 11 a.m. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

O-CANADA

Canada Day on the mid-Island: your guide to celebrations

Jul 1, 2024 | 6:31 AM

NANAIMO — With events planned across the country, Canada Day on the mid-Island will be no different.

The City of Nanaimo will be hosting their annual celebrations at Maffeo Sutton Park starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 1, with the celebration of the flags and opening ceremonies to kick things off.

Live music, activities for kids like face painting and bouncy castle, a cultural community stage and an entire food zone for you to enjoy.

Parking will not be available at the park on Monday but vehicles are allowed to loop into the parking lot to drop people off. Residents are encouraged to park elsewhere and walk, or ride a bike, with a free bike valet provided on site.

You can also use the complimentary shuttle service provided by the Regional District of Nanaimo, with a detailed schedule available here.

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Meanwhile, the Nanaimo NightOwls are stepping up to provide the fireworks for the evening, taking place right after their 6:35 p.m. game against the Victoria HarbourCats at Serauxmen Stadium.

The Town of Ladysmith will hold their annual Canada Day festivities at transfer Beach Park also with a pancake breakfast, with the opening ceremony starting at 11 a.m., followed by live music, performers, cake, and a scavenger hunt.

Oceanside
Parksville will also have a ton of free family fun starting bright and early at 7:30 a.m. with a pancake breakfast in the parking lot of the Coastal Community Credit Union on Craig St. until 11 a.m.

The parade starts at 10 a.m. along the Island Hwy. from Stanford Ave., and then turns down Craig St. to finish at Jensen Ave.

At noon, bring your chair and blankets to the Parksville Community Park, with an opening ceremony and live music, Canada Day cake and cupcakes, face painting, and live music until 9 p.m., with food trucks on site from 11 a.m. until the early evening.

Qualicum Beach celebrations also start with a pancake breakfast at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 (180 Veterans Way) from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

The parade starts at 1:00 p.m. from the Civic Centre (747 Jones St.) to the Legion, which will then be the place to be for the afternoon, with food, live music, kids’ games, a beer garden and more, with the last band hitting the stage at 7:30 p.m.

The Royal Canadian Air Force will conduct a fly-by right before 2 p.m., part of similar demonstrations across the Island.

A full list of all the events in the Oceanside area can be found here.

And if you’re heading over to Vancouver for Canada Day, Nanaimo’s own folk-rock singer Myc Sharratt will be performing at Canada Place as part of one of the largest July 1 celebrations in the country.

More details on Vancouver’s events can be found here.

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