The parade will run before a full day of events and entertainment at Maffeo Sutton Park on Saturday, July 27 for the annual Bathtub weekend. (Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

tubbers unite

Bathtub weekend kicks off in Nanaimo with an evening concert & free family fun day

Jul 26, 2024 | 4:41 PM

NANAIMO — It’s an event almost as iconic to the Harbour City as its namesake no-bake dessert.

The Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society Bathtub weekend got underway on Friday, July 26 with events planned over three days, including the World Championship Race at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

Society commodore Greg Peacock told NanaimoNewsNOW they’ve worked extremely hard over recent years to expand the scope of the event beyond just the headline race.

“It’s an iconic event that’s known around the world from the late 60s up to now. We’ve done our best to bring back the party atmosphere, the fun. We’ve got amazing family activities going on throughout the whole weekend.”

A ticketed concert, for adults only, featuring Wonderbread, Johnny Inappropriate and DJ All Good is scheduled for Maffeo Sutton Park on Friday night, with a parade, live music and entertainment planned all day Saturday, July 27.

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The annual parade will move through Commercial St. in downtown Nanaimo beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, leading to Maffeo Sutton Park.

Peacock said a major change this year for their family activities on Saturday is a new partnership with the Tom Harris Community Foundation, which is helping raise funds for local health care in the region.

He added access to areas like the kids zone with multiple bouncy castles, and some live music performances will be available by donation.

“We’ve never really had anything to raise funds for in the 57 years we’ve been doing this stuff, so this year and in the years coming the kids zone stuff will be a benefit for the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation.”

Peacock stressed no one will be turned away, with the activities available for free, but he’s hopeful they can make a significant contribution.

“The goal is of course to raise as much money as we can for the hospital foundation, but just as importantly is to make sure everybody can have a bunch of fun and do all the events that are there.”

The highlight of the weekend is the World Championship Bathtub Race on Sunday, July 28.

Racers will contest a roughly 60-kilometre course which takes them from Nanaimo Harbour, around Entrance Island, the Winchelsea Islands and back.

Peacock said they’re not 100 per cent certain how many racers will participate, but they expect between 45 and 50 racers.

A full schedule of events for Bathtub weekend is available on the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society’s website.

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