South End Days will be held at Deverill Square Park on Saturday, June 14, carrying on the history of the event over the last 35 years. (South End Community Association)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

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NANAIMO — A staple event for the last four decades is returning once more.

South End Day is being celebrated on Saturday, June 14 at Deverill Square Park, at the corner of Milton St. and Haliburton St., between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Co-organizer Allison Ainsley said it used to be called the Miner’s Picnic until a change of direction a few years ago to encapsulate the wider community.

“The idea behind it was just to create a space of connection with anybody from in and around the neighbourhood. The neighbourhood has had a variety of socio-economic levels…and so it was a space where families could come out and have a free day…and it’s continued through the last 35-ish years.”

Free events start with a pancake breakfast, followed by live entertainment, bouncy castles and more on offer throughout the day.

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Ainsley added a local youth market will also be setup where all artisans are under the age of 18.

All events are free and open to anyone to attend, not just south end residents.

One of the hallmark events on the day will be a soccer match pitting some local dignitaries up against local residents.

Mayor Leonard Krog, MLA Sheila Malcolmson and MP Tamara Kronis are among those signed up to play.

Match organizer Ed Chan told NanaimoNewsNOW the event is in honour of a weekly contest held at the park featuring players of all skill levels and all ages.

“We’ve had players aged two to 73 play, we have a very diverse set of players who come to play. At the most, sometimes we’ll play four a side, sometimes it’s six, but at time when we’ve had the numbers we’ll play 10 versus 10, practically a full pitch.”

It’s something which has been a fixture in the neighbourhood for some time.

“Parents can play with their kids, grandparents can play with their grandkids and it’s a great way for us to build community in the south end.”

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