Campbell River awarded five blooms in national contest

Vaughn, Ontario may be thousands of kilometres from us here in Campbell River, but  for locals anxious to hear the results of the annual Communities in Bloom competition, it was the centre of the world on the weekend.

And when the winners were announced on Saturday, October 3, Campbell River scored five blooms as well as earning a Special Mention in the Conservation and Community Culture category. In addition, Campbell River was the recipient of the Home Hardware Community Involvement Award.

 Campbell River was a national finalist in the 20,0001 to 55,000 population. Leduc, Alberta was the overall winner in this category.

Communities in Bloom is a Canada-wide organization dedicated to encouraging the development of green spaces in urban areas.

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Celebrate your country (and eat cake too)

My dad still calls our July 1 holiday Dominion Day. It doesn’t matter to him that Parliament changed the name in 1982 to Canada Day.  The first time he referred to July 1 as Dominion Day my niece looked at him blankly,  having been born the same year the former name went the way of the dodo. She hadn’t known it as anything other than Canada Day (she’s too young to remember Flashdance too, but that’s another story).

Regardless of what you call it, regardless of what you might think of the ongoing antics of our politicans, federal and otherwise, get out and have some fun on our country’s 142nd birthday. There’s no lack of actitivities to please everybody this year, many of them free. Here’s a sample:

* Always a huge favorite are the fireworks, brought to you by Quality Foods and simulcast on radio by 97.3 The Eagle. They start precisely at 10:22pm (please note that’s not 10:20pm, nor is it 10:25pm) and are visible from Discovery Pier, the foreshore, and possibly even Willow Point, although I confess to not knowing this for sure. It’s a semi-educated guess.

*  The Tidemark’s Children’s Festival from 10am to 4pm at the Community Centre. Scope out details at www.tidemarktheatre.com. It’s free and features activities both outside and inside (in the unlikely event of rain).

* And of course don’t forget the “Spirit of the River” Canada Day parade. Bring your camera and be ready for the 4:00pm start as the floats, bands, and community organizations make their way along Shoppers Row and finish at Discovery Pier. Bring an umbrella if you don’t want to risk being hosed by the fire department.

* Not everything is happening in the downtown area. There’s a Pancake Breaky at Frank James Park in Willow Point started at 7:00am and finishing at 10:30am. It’s sponsored by Quality Foods and hosted by the Campbell River Volunteer Firefighters. Cost is by donation. Proceeds go to the BC Firefighter’s Burn Fund.

* New this year are the Belt Sander Races at Home Hardware. Preregistration and details are available by calling them at 250-287-7147 or by dropping by the store at the corner of Dogwood and 13th Ave.

* If you can’t possibly wait until evening for Canada Day cake, get thee to C.R. Common at 2:00pm for their Cake Cutting (followed by Cake Eating). While you’re there, check out the various sidewalk sales.

* The Family Fair Market from 11am to 6pm will have face painting, food booths, and other Big Fun, including a Bouncerama (to be enjoyed only before eating, please. The volunteers thank you). See it all at the Foreshore and the Pier Street area. 

* Haven’t got your fill of cake yet? Head to Willow Point for noon where  Quality Foods will provide it and the Legion Pipers will entertain you. Brought to you by the Willow Point Business Improvement Association. 

Wondering where I’ll be on July 1? Refer to the Cake Schedule.

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