Cowichan Valley certainly knows how to celebrate Canada Day in fine fashion — with pancakes, parades, and parties.
The several communities across the valley celebrated our country's 157th birthday in their own way with some flair on July 1. The festivities began at 8 a.m. in Shawnigan Lake with a pancake breakfast at Malahat Legion Branch 134 that was attended by MP Alistair MacGregror, just one of his many stops for the day.
Families, friends, and even some furry loved ones sported their best red and white outfits for the annual Maple Bay Canada Day parade as they walked along the several red and retro vehicles that rolled out for the celebration. The parade began from the dog park at 10:30 a.m. and finished at the Maple Bay Rowing Club where the festivities continued.
Meanwhile in Duncan, the BC Forest Discovery Centre got on the right track to celebrate the nation with a scavenger hunt, train rides, the Kathy White dancers, the Cowichan Pipes and Drums and more. Canadian pride and great music filled the air at Charles Hoey Park for some 39 Days of July Canada Day fun, where a a slice of Canada Day cake was served at 4:20 p.m.
Residents of Lake Cowichan came together to mark the special day with family fun and festivities at both Lake Cowichan's Central Park and at the Skydome in Mesachie Lake.
Mother Nature provided warm weather for a fun-filled day of community events as residents and visitors let their maple leaf flags fly and rocked Canadian colours to celebrate.