Along with the region's big Canada Day festivities in Parksville (see details in the story we published last week, now on www.pqbnews.com), there are celebrations in various communities for people who want to stick closer to home.
Bowser
Centred at the Bowser Legion, the national birthday will be celebrated in that part of Oceanside from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The festivities include all the traditional family activities with live musical entertainment, a Ladies Auxiliary barbecue, kids' activities including face painting, cotton candy, hay rides by tractor, a fishing game and other games from noon to 2 p.m.
For the third year they will also have the quickly growing classic car show and shine which had about 75 vehicles last year and they are expecting at least that many this year.
The Arrowsmith Pipe Band will play around 1:30 p.m. along with O Canada and the formal cupcake "cutting" a bit later.
Meadowood
Later in the day the Corcan-Meadowood Resident's Association is hosting a party in Meadowood Community Park, across from the fire hall.
The party starts at 6 p.m. with karaoke, kids activities like a bouncy castle, balloon animals, scavenger hunt, prizes and more.
There will be plenty of food available with a concession, barbecue, vendor tables and bake sale along with beer, wine and cider available. Bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets to make yourself comfortable for the evening with the fireworks closing things out just after dark.
Qualicum Beach
In town, people will assemble in the parking lot beside The Old School House for Qualicum Beach's Canada Day parade at 11:30 a.m. for the march down Memorial Avenue to the Legion at 180 Veterans Way. The ceremony officially kicks off there at noon followed by free entertainment until 4 p.m. by Bent Rhym, Sharon Lafferty's Clog Dancers, Rendezvous Quartet and The New Qualicum Beach Legion Pipe Band. There will be hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments available with a cake cutting and speeches at 2:15 p.m.