COMOX, B.C. – The Town of Comox’s signature BC Day long weekend event is celebrating a miletone.
The 60th edition of Comox Nautical Days begins Saturday and runs until holiday Monday at Marina Park.
Comox Mayor Paul Ives called Nautical Days “a long and established tradition of celebrating the BC Day long weekend.”
“There’s lots of activities down on the waterfront,” Ives said.
“It’s a time where our community really shines.”
A change this year is the location of the park-and-ride. Pickups are at the former St. Joseph’s Hospital parking lot.
“As people are coming into town up Comox hill they can just pull into the right, park for $5 a car and get shuttled down to Filberg Park (for the Filberg Festival) or Nautical Days and that’s important to note because there’ll be lots of traffic and very difficult to find parking park near either of those events given all the people coming,” Ives said.
As well, the Comox Valley Regional District and BC Transit is offering free fares on all transit routes from Saturday to Monday. Regular routes and schedules will apply on Saturday and Sunday, with special service available on the holiday Monday.
Just some of the highlights of Nautical Days include:
Saturday
The Bullhead Derby at Marina Park and Wharf from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Hundreds of excited would-be fishers swarm the government wharf in hopes of catching the ‘big one.’
The fifth annual Nautical Days Fish Toss from 4:00 to 4:30 p.m. on the main stage area
Twenty teams of two will competed for the coveted title of Fish Toss Champion, trying to beat the toss record of 34 feet.
Register at the Nautical Days Information Booth before 3:30 p.m. You must be 12 years old and older – minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
An awards ceremony will follow.
Sunday
Public Tours of the Royal Canadian Navy ORCA Class training vessels from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tours run throughout the day and include a water taxi ride to MCS Quadra on Goose Spit. Register for your tour at the Comox Nautical Days Information Booth. Tours depart from the main dock, Comox Valley Marina office.
The 16th annual Victor Simonson Dragon Boat Races
There are prizes for the top four teams in each division. You can watch all the races from the boardwalk and enjoy a full day of races.
The 49th annual Nautical Days Foot Race from 9 to 10 a.m.
Register at 8 a.m. at Comox Town Hall.
Monday
The Comox Nautical Days Festival Parade from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The parade winds its way down Comox Avenue, Rodello to Stewart Avenue. Cash prizes for first, second, third and honourable mention will be awarded.
Starting at noon and running until 12:30 p.m., is the BC Day official ceremony and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Marina Park Redevelopment Project. Official greetings from Comox mayor Paul Ives and dignitaries, and the singing of “Oh Canada” as performed by The Caissie Family on the Main Stage.
The Quality Foods Festival of Lights Fireworks Extravaganza at 10:15 p.m. Monday night at Comox harbour.
On Monday, BC Transit will be providing rides for a $1 in the region.
For a full schedule and list of vendors and performers, click here.
