High flyers, rising stars, and record-breaking tasty treats were all reasons for Nanaimo to go viral in 2025, as we take a look at the top viral stories for 2025. (File photos/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

going viral

Top Stories of 2025: Top viral stories highlight Nanaimo’s best

Dec 21, 2025 | 9:47 AM

NANAIMO — A few stories this year made the rounds online more than others, as social media helped showcase the best the Harbour City has to offer.

However, sometimes the stories simply hit the right note at the right time, sending them sailing through the digital landscape.

In July, an unclaimed package was left outside the Nanaimo RCMP detachment on Prideaux St., raising suspicion, as it was wrapped in duct tape and mailed locally to their building with no return address.

The detachment went into lockdown, and the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit was called in.

The bomb squad determined the package not to be a threat, instead containing some toys and books.

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The sender was eventually located, and they apologized for the alarm they caused.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds put on two shows in Nanaimo this summer, their first time in the Harbour City in six years. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds had Nanaimo captivated in August, when they announced they’d be performing two shows over the Nanaimo Harbour for the first time since 2019.

Appearances by the aerial acrobatic team in Nanaimo have been limited over recent years, despite the squad spending much of May in the Comox Valley training.

An evening show was scheduled for Friday, Aug. 15, with an afternoon show planned for the following day, with tailored music for the air show broadcast on 102.3 FM The Wave, as well as through on-site speakers.

Snowbirds pilot Cpt. Brendan Pellow told NanaimoNewsNOW the shows display the skills of their highly-trained pilots while also providing a boost of Canadian pride.

“These aircraft and the people who support them and fly them are just Canadian icons at the end of the day. Not in that rockstar way, but as a sense of national pride. It’s been something that’s been with Canada for the last 55 years, and I hope it will continue for the next 55 years.”

Unveiled May 17, Nanaimo is officially home to the world’s largest Nanaimo Bar thanks to hard work from Vancouver Island University students. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In May, students and staff at Vancouver Island University’s baking and pastry arts, along with culinary arts programs, officially began building the world’s largest Nanaimo bar on May 13, a few days ahead of its Saturday unveiling.

Weighing in at over 1,100 pounds and measuring 70 feet long by three feet wide, the world’s largest Nanaimo bar was unveiled to the public on May 17.

The bar was made using around 300 pounds of butter, 151 pounds of chocolate, 46 pounds of walnuts, 46 pounds of cocoa powder, 62 pounds of coconut, 46 pounds of Graham cracker crumbs, 407 eggs and 440 pounds of icing sugar.

The record was officially certified by the Baking Association of Canada and the Culinary Federation of Canada, with Mayor Leonard Krog officially proclaiming May 17, 2025, as Nanaimo Bar Day in the City.

Nearly two-dozen Canadian flags were displayed at the entrance to Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park in March, a show of national unity and patriotism. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

In March, amid swelling national pride spurred on by trade and tariff trouble with the United States, Nanaimo residents were proud to see the installation of 22 Canadian flags at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Normally reserved for an array of international flags, the story showcasing the display of red and white maple leaves was shared widely across the mid-Island.

Nanaimo-born singer Cameron Whitcomb accepts the Fans’ Choice award at the Canadian Country Music Association Awards, in Kelowna on Sept. 13, 2025. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press)

In July, a locally born country singer and ‘American Idol’ alumnus, 22-year-old Cameron Whitcomb was nominated for the first time for the Canadian Country Music Association Awards in six categories.

Nominations included fan’s choice, male artist of the year, entertainer of the year, and single of the year for his song “Quitter”, tying him for the most nominations.

At the awards, Whitcomb walked away with breakthrough artist or group of the year, and the fans’ choice award.

Whitcomb is getting ready to tour parts of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, starting early next year.

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was recorded just north of Sechelt on Feb. 21 in the early afternoon, with mid-Island residents reportedly feeling the effects. (Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre via Twitter)

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was recorded just north of Sechelt on Feb. 21, at 1:26 p.m., with tremors felt through much of Nanaimo and Oceanside.

Reports to NanaimoNewsNOW described the quake as “a solid jolt” in Nanaimo, while others in Ucluelet said it was felt strongly there too.

No tsunami warnings or advisories were issued, and no damage was reported locally.

A second 5.0 magnitude earthquake was felt only a few days later on Feb. 24, this time approximately 180 kilometres west of Port Alice.

They were great reminders to be prepared for earthquake emergencies, with the provincial government running the Great B.C. Shakeout drill every year.

Nanaimo skateboarder Evie Pritchard, 13, is one step closer to a potential Olympic appearance after a stellar year of competition. (World Skate)

Evie Pritchard, 13, who learned her skateboarding craft at the skate park in Cedar, was once again in the national spotlight for her skills, competing at the World Skateboarding Tour World Cup event in Japan at the end of November.

The former national silver medalist won bronze last year at Exposure, which is the world’s largest female-only skateboarding event, and needed to earn points from competitions to improve her rank for a shot at Olympic qualifications.

Pritchard finished 13th overall in the women’s street competition, enough to earn her automatic entry onto the Canadian national team ahead of a potential Olympic appearance in 2028.

Pritchard is beginning to expand her travel schedule in a bid to pursue a potential Olympic Games spot in Los Angeles in 2028 and/or Brisbane, Australia, in 2032.

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