​PROBUS CLUB OF NANAIMO NORTH
Summer 2023
Free Events
Enjoy Mid Island!
Events in order of date scroll down for other events
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Friday, July 14th, 2023 - Sunday, August 20th, 2023
Parksville Beach Festival promises fun in the sun at the Parksville Community Park located alongside Parksville’s beautiful beach. Starting with the world-renowned, signature event, the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition, opening weekend is July 14-16 with the sculpture exhibition open until August 20. This ever-popular event features a 30-hour competition between twenty-nine international master sculptors. Working with this year’s sculpting theme “Wonders of the World,” sculptors will “pound up” on July 13, with the competition open to the public beginning at 2pm July14. Each soloist works with 10 yards of sand and 15 yards for doubles.
The sculptures are available for viewing from July 17 through to August 20 from 9:30am-8:30pm daily. Admission is by suggested donation of $5 per person. Since 1999, the Parksville Beach Festival Society has donated close to $1 Million from the gate proceeds to non-profit organizations and community projects.
Known to locals as “Beachfest”, this 5 ½ week-long family-oriented festival, not only includes the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition; the public can also learn to sculpt like a professional; enjoy free weekend summer concerts; daily buskers on the boardwalk; a weekend Artisan Market and two evenings where the sculptures are illuminated for late night viewing.
With the addition of the new Parksville Outdoor Theatre in the Community Park, Beachfest has also included two ticketed events for music lovers. The second-annual ‘Rock the Park’; a three-day music festival featuring world-class tribute bands and performances by perennial favourites, and new for 2023, an afternoon concert featuring the Vancouver Island Symphony.
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Silly Boat Regatta Nanaimo
Sunday, July 16th, 2023
8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
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Celebrating 37 years of Silly Boat this year, the event is considered one of the premier events held in the City of Nanaimo.
Approximately 40 teams (made up of individuals, families, service groups and corporate individuals) have 4 hours to build a boat out of recycled or recyclable materials and then race them in the inner harbour. This fun, family-oriented event has it all! Want to join in on the fun? Check out our website (www.sillyboat.com) to sign up your team or come on down and volunteer!
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