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Heritage Days back and bigger than ever

The May long weekend is set to be an exciting one for the Cowichan Lake area this year
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The logging truck parade has long been a part of Heritage Days. (file photo)

The May long weekend is set to be an exciting one for the Cowichan Lake area this year and Family Heritage Days is stepping up with three days of events.

It all starts Friday with the Kaatza Station Museum with an opening (from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) of the famous IWA Wilmer Gold historical photos, logging display, and railway display.

The Kaatza Art Group Show and Sale has now moved permanently to the Honeymoon Bay Community Hall, where you can enjoy (and buy) the group’s works along with viewing that hall’s famous mural and paintings.

The annual gently-used book sale also kicks off at the Lake Cowichan branch of the Royal Bank and, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday there’s family bowling and a Heritage Days display at the historic and unique Youbou Bowling Alley.

By Saturday morning, things will really be rocking at the Lake and along with the museum and the art show continuing, there’s lots more to do.

Saywell Park is the centre of events on Saturday with the Cowichan Lake Community Garden Plant Sale and the Communities in Bloom Hanging basket sale taking place from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. there.

The annual Logging Truck Parade through town to Saywell Park starts from Neva Road by Darling Tire at noon.

There’s also a pooch parade and a children’s bike parade at Saywell just after the logging trucks are done, about 1 p.m. These kids’ events have entry fees of $2 each.

Hot dogs and deep fried ice cream will also be on sale so bring the family for some outdoor fun.

The gently-read book sale continues at Saywell Park as well.

On Sunday, May 21, several special events are being held at Saywell Park.

These include the Kaatza Station Museum’s ‘vintage’ book sale.

Many of these books came to the museum from the old Caycuse School and are copies of beloved old school textbooks you’ll remember from grade school like Friends and Neighbours or Streets and Roads. Come along to the Bell Tower School from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday and see if you can buy a bit of your history.

At the same time, a community picnic will also be held at Saywell Park, and when you’re done why not take a self-guided tour of the Rhododendron Memorial Park? (Get your information at the Tourist Info Centre and walk across Point Ideal Road to start your tour.)