There is no better place to celebrate the ‘unofficial’ beginning of the summer season than at Victoria Day celebrations in Cumberland, May 19-21.
The weekend kicks off Saturday with Cumberland’s annual street market extravaganza - Village Market Day, the ever popular Soap Box Derby, a meet and greet reunion for ‘old’ and ‘new’ Cumberland, and an epic garage sale at the Cumberland Community Church.
Head to Cumberland Village Park and enjoy a meal at the Cumberland Community School PAC concession, take in the washoe tournament, and share a table at the beer garden. Festivities run from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday, May 20, has been dubbed Sports Sunday, a full day of competitive sporting events, demonstrations and displays in Village Park. Try your hand at fly-fishing and tying, horseshoes, disc golf, and the Mayors Hole in One. Cheer on the oldtimers and kids soccer and watch as Cumberlanders become The Legends of The Maypole, a tradition dating back almost 100 years in Cumberland. Audience members brave enough can try their hand at the Maypole Challenge.
Cumberland has an illustrious soccer history going back to the early 1900s. Author Robert Janning will be on site to present from his book “Westcoast Reign - the British Columbia soccer championships, 1892-1905”. The 1891 Grand Challenge Cup of the Nanaimo Football Association will be on display. Sunday wraps with a family-friendly dance party in Village Park featuring music by Murph and The Magic Tones from 6-8 p.m.
The celebrations extend into the holiday Monday with the Victoria Day Parade and a host of activities throughout the day. Arrive early and enjoy a pancake breakfast at the Royal Canadian Legion or at the Masonic Lodge. At 9 a.m., witness 4,000 golf balls rolling down Dunsmuir Avenue at the 5th annual Thunderballs fundraiser in support of the Cumberland Community Schools Society. The Victoria Day Parade replete with sirens, pipe bands, and a mix of traditional and innovative floats and performance groups starts at 10am and culminates with the crowing of the May Queen in Cumberland Village Park. An afternoon of exciting programming continues including rides, races, food, and entertainment.
Visit ‘Victoria Day Long Weekend in Cumberland’ on Facebook for the full schedule of events, and updates.