Hundreds of tourists and locals are poised to gather at Maffeo Sutton Park both Friday and Saturday, celebrating the Nanaimo Infusion. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

they're here

‘Nanaimo Infusion’ arrives as American tourists flock to Mid-Island

Apr 25, 2025 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Months after a viral video caught their attention, the American’s have finally arrived.

Sparked by a viral video in February, this weekend’s Nanaimo Infusion will see hundreds of primarily American tourists arrive and stay in the Nanaimo and Oceanside areas to experience some famous Canadian hospitality.

Tod Maffin, who’s video set the whole movement in motion, said the last few months have been inspiring, with so much positivity between borders despite continued rhetoric and division at the government level.

“It makes me feel more than good, it makes me feel hopeful that when this is all over and the current U.S. administration is gone, that we can return to some semblance of normal. I think it’ll be generations before Canada trusts the U.S. again in geopolitical and in trading terms, but…I think the bond between our people has always been strong.”

The only planned event from Maffin’s end is a so-called ‘Family Photo’ on Saturday, April 26 at 10 a.m. at Maffeo Sutton Park.

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His hope is both visitors and residents join in the celebrations.

“I really hope locals come out to this thing as well. It’s not just for American tourists, it’s for American tourists and the mid-Island community together. That’s the whole point. If you’re participating, the way that we identify each other is by wearing red lanyards.”

Everything else happening over the next few days was created by others in the community.

A food truck festival is slated to run at Maffeo Sutton Park on Friday, April 25 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., with an accompanying craft market from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A meetup of LGBTQ+ people is planned for Friday at neighbouring White Sails Brewing beginning at 6 p.m.

As for how many people either have already arrived, or will be here this weekend? Maffin has no idea.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW and handful had already arrived midweek, with more due in on Friday, but it’s next to impossible to know for sure.

A form he setup to ask whether people might make the trip garnered 2,000 positive responses.

“Now are 2000 people going to come? Of course not, that’s the internet. But even if a tenth of that shows up in the mid-Island area that will have a big difference to our economy. So the short answer is I don’t know.”

In March, Maffin said he thought between 600 and 900 would ultimately arrive in community.

He added some are just coming from the weekend, with a majority of visitors from neighbouring Washington State, while others are spending more time.

Visitors from Texas, California, Minnesota and Florida have all confirmed their arrival.

“I’m really excited to see how the American tourists share it on social media, and what it looks like after all this is over.”

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