It was a relatively quiet Canada Day in Parksville Qualicum Beach.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year’s July 1 festivities featured a virtual celebration put together by the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce (see link, below).
However, there were still folks who came up with their own type of celebration, with a variety of activities taking place at Parksville Community Park.
The Parksville Golden Oldie Sports Association had their slo-pitch games going on early in the morning and then later was followed by the popular walking soccer.
Both pickleball courts featured casual games being played. Some decked out the fence and nets with flags and some donned shirts with Canada emblems.
RELATED: Canada Day: Virtual celebrations in Parksville Qualicum Beach
Cascadia Martial Arts Parksville had some of their members out in force as they held outdoor training and followed it up with a club picnic.
In other parts of Parksville, Captain Canada held a one-vehicle parade and travelled to different senior homes in the region where he waved the flag and played ‘O Canada’ in front of an appreciative crowd.
In Qualicum Beach, there was a Canada Day Concert on Aspen Avenue held by former drummer of the country-rock group Alibi, Larry MacDougall. He played his drums inside his garage to tunes from the 1970s. Neighbours and friends came out and lined up just across from his place enjoy the music and also support MacDougall’s fundraiser for Courtyard Cafe & Patio, whose onwers have been feeding families in need every week.