Canada Day in Parksville

March 13, 2024

NEWS RELEASE

Earlier this year, we announced the City of Parksville will host Canada Day celebrations in Parksville. We are busy behind the scenes planning a great family-friendly event which we hope will bring together Parksville and surrounding region residents and visitors to celebrate Canada’s 157^th anniversary of Confederation on July 1. On Canada Day, we come together to celebrate and shine a light on our country and whatever it is that makes you proud! We hope you will celebrate and connect with families, neighbours, and friends at our Canada Day festivities in Parksville.

Canada Day in Parksville will look a little different this year with the City taking the lead and providing the funding. Our community celebration begins with the Shriner’s breakfast and the traditional parade along Island Highway East and all other activities will be held in the Parksville Community Park. Here’s what is being planned for Canada Day in Parksville.

Things we’d like you to know about Canada Day in Parksville

• Free family-friendly fun in the sun kicks off with the Parksville Canada Day parade followed by afternoon activities in the Parksville Community Park.
• The Parksville Outdoor Theatre will feature Bobs and Lolo for the young and young at heart, and the band, Apollos, will provide afternoon dance music.
• Buskers will entertain in the new gathering plaza from 1 pm to early evening.
• There will be a variety of food trucks in the parking lot by the sports fields from 11 am through early evening.
• There will be no vendors in the park and planned activities will finish around 7 pm.
• Sandcastle Drive to Arbutus Point will close to vehicles for the day with vehicle parking available in the park.

Parade and food truck application forms, along with Canada Day details are available on Let’s Talk Parksville. For the latest news and updates, visit Let’s Talk Parksville as well as the City’s social media. Email questions to canadaday@parksville.ca.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073

January 30, 2024

NEWS RELEASE

Canada Day celebrations in Parksville will look a little different this year with the City taking the lead on the event. We recognize the Canada Day event has been a huge undertaking for the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce and appreciate their efforts. We will look to community involvement, continue to seek funding from the federal government and possible sponsorship support for the day’s activities.

With the return to in-person activities, the City sponsored several successful community events in 2023 and we wish to continue our support for public celebrations that bring our residents together and are accessible to all ages and abilities. Canada Day in 2024 will be family focused and designed to provide safe, fun and convenient access to the festivities and the Parksville Community Park. Council is happy to provide the financial support for the celebrations and planning has started in earnest. As we confirm the schedule for the day, more information will be released for the public.

Parksville’s Canada Day parade has always been the best on Vancouver Island, and we look forward to building on past success. Outside of the parade, all Canada Day activities will be held in the Parksville Community Park and include such activities as the pancake breakfast, food trucks, speeches, Canada Day cake, afternoon family entertainment at the Parksville Outdoor Theatre, and casual entertainment such as buskers in the gathering plaza. We have heard concerns in the past about vehicle access and this year, the Parksville Community Park will be open for vehicle parking and there will be no fireworks in the evening.

Planning is underway and event details, parade forms, and more information will be available on the City’s website and Let’s Talk Parksville. Please send us your suggestions and ideas and let us know if you would like to be involved at canadaday@parksville.ca. You can also call Deb Tardiff at 250 954-3073.

For more information:
Deb Tardiff, Manager of Communications
communications@parksville.ca; 250 954-3073