Skip to content

Qualicum Beach to take a ‘40s theme on Canada Day

As town celebrates its heritage, history is all the rage

Qualicum Beach will be loud and proud of both its country and its local history during Canada Day celebrations on Sunday.

“Qualicum Beach was amalgamated as a village in 1942,” Legion spokesperson Joan Lane said. “In honor of our 70th anniversary, we will be celebrating this year’s Canada Day with a 1940’s theme.”

She said many participants will be sporting costumes from that era, courtesy of The Echo Players’ Village Theater, which she noted is also an important part of the town’s heritage.

The day begins with a parade at 11:30, which will muster at the parking lot adjacent to The Old Schoolhouse at Fern and Memorial.

“All members of the community are encouraged to participate, from very young to very old,” she said. “We are hoping to attract both young cyclists and older citizens alike on their favorite sets of wheels. We would ask that participants decorate their respective rides and/or selves in Canada’s official red and white.”

They will march to the Legion grounds at Veterans Way, where the ceremonies begin at noon.

Festivities will commence with an address by Mayor Teunis Westbroek, the singing of the national anthem and the cutting of a beautiful cake provided by Quality Foods at 2:15 p.m. There will be face-painting, games, food and fun throughout the afternoon. The entertainment line-up includes The Mount Arrowsmith Pipes and Drums Band, The Tidesmen Barbershop Chorus, Sharon Lafferty’s Clog Dancers and dancing to the rhythm and blues music of the ever popular Bent Rymn Band between 1 and 4 p.m.