With some small tweaks to a formula that’s proven to be a success, organizers — and community members — are counting down the days to Ladysmith Days.
The two-day festival features a range of activities for people of all ages in downtown Ladysmith and at Transfer Beach.
Ladysmith Celebrations Society president Barry Frech is looking forward to adding some new pieces to the puzzle while bringing back popular activities.
“It seems like our Ladysmith Days is going to be another super attraction for all ages,” he said.
He says there will be a new, larger slide for children at Sunday’s Kids’ Zone at Transfer Beach, and laser tag and the climbing wall will be back.
Frech is looking forward to hearing Kenny McCoy perform right before Sunday’s fireworks,
“He does country western and old-style music, and he just mixes it up,” he said. “It should be good entertainment for everybody.”
One new, highly-anticipated activity this year is the Zucchini Races, being held Saturday, Aug. 2 in the parking lot at Transfer Beach. Registration is at 4 p.m. at the Ladysmith Days tent by the parking lot, and participants need to build their own zucchini racer with four wheels and two axels that go through the zucchini. There will be cash prizes in four age categories: six and younger, seven to nine, 10 to 12, and over 12. There will also be cash prizes for the best dressed zucchini racer in each category.
The Bullhead Derby is back again on Saturday from 7-9:30 a.m. at the Ladysmith Maritime Society Community Marina. Please bring a life jacket for your child and a fishing pole. If you have any questions, contact Kathleen at saltydogcanoes@hotmail.com.
Fuel up for a fun day with the Rotary Pancake Breakfast, starting at 7 a.m. at the Ladysmith and District Credit Union (LDCU) parking lot on First Avenue.
Ladysmith’s Citizen of the Year will be revealed at 10 a.m. during the breakfast.
Then, it’s time for the parade.
The theme for this year’s Kinsmen Parade is “Ladysmith Has Summer Fun.” The parade lineup starts Saturday, Aug. 2 at 7 a.m., and judging starts at 8:30 a.m. The parade starts at 10:15 a.m.
For more information and an entry form, visit www.ladysmithkinsmen.ca.
Following the parade, it’s the 49th Parallel Grocery Family Fun Day at Aggie Field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be face painting, kids’ games sponsored by Island Savings Credit Union, fun activities like a bouncy castle and giant slide, a Daisy the Cow show sponsored by Island Farms at 11:15 a.m., an Island Farms ice cream eating contest at 11:30 a.m., music by Fred Izon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., a juggling show by Mike Battie at noon, and music by Kerry Ryan from 1-2 p.m.
Starting at 3 p.m., the fun moves to Transfer Beach.
Members of the Nanaimo Boat Modelers Club will be holding demonstrations and sharing their displays, while Rick Douglas will be here with his remote-control logging equipment.
Ladysmith Has Royalty and Ladysmith Has Talent will once again be held down at Transfer Beach Saturday, with Ladysmith Has Royalty at 3 p.m., and the talent show following at 4 p.m.
For Ladysmith Has Royalty, four members from the audience will be chosen at random to perform four simple tasks for a chance to be crowned the Royal Family of Ladysmith. The winner and his or her family will be treated like royalty for the rest of Ladysmith Days — they’ll get front of line for everything on Saturday and Sunday, the best seat in the house for the Talent Contest, dinner at the Eagles Hall for the whole family and the best seats in the house for the fireworks.
Right after the Royal Family has been crowned, the Ladysmith Has Talent contest will begin at the Transfer Beach Amphitheatre. Entry forms are available at the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce office at 33 Roberts St. or online at www.ladysmithdays.com, and the deadline for entry is Thursday, July 31.
There will be cash prizes in five different categories: zero to four years old, five to eight years old, nine to 12 years old, 13-17 years old, and over 17. Winners in each category will get a chance to perform Sunday, Aug. 3.
From 4-6 p.m., there will be old-fashioned family games by the Kin Hut, sponsored by Oceanview Community Church.
The Zucchini Races start at 5 p.m. in the parking lot near the climbing wall.
Once again, there will be a Beach Party Saturday night at Transfer Beach. From 6-8 p.m., bring your blanket and chairs and come down to the beach and listen to live music from Luv Train and enjoy burgers, salad and corn from Crafty Cuppa Gourmet Café in Chemainus. Dinner is $10.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, the Ladysmith Eagles are hosting a pancake breakfast from 8-11 a.m. at Eagles Hall. They will also host a steak barbecue from 4-8 p.m.
The day’s events at Transfer Beach begin at 10 a.m. when the food and craft vendors open.
Sealegs Kayaking is sponsoring free kids’ kayaking from 10 a.m. to noon, as well as a sand volleyball tournament from 1-3 p.m.
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be displays and demonstrations by the Nanaimo Boat Modellers Club and Rick Douglas with his remote-control logging equipment.
The LDCU is sponsoring a Kids’ Zone from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and there will be a petting zoo and pony rides from Tiger Lily Farm from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 2101.
Ladysmith Parks, Recreation and Culture is sponsoring kids’ games between noon and 4 p.m., and there will be laser tag from noon to 4 p.m.
As well, lifeguards will be on the beach between 1-5 p.m.
Over at the amphitheatre, there will be entertainment from 10:45 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., sponsored by Integra Tire. Performers include Bethel Bands Together, Ladysmith Has Talent winners, Elf Song, Herbicidal Maniacs, Cactus Cadillac’s, Skellig, Kendall Patrick and the Headless Bettys and Kenny McCoy.
It all comes to a close at 9:30 p.m. with the fireworks spectacular sponsored by LDCU.
Please leave your animals at home this weekend.