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Heritage Days back in Lake Cowichan with a packed May long weekend

First proper event since the pandemic began
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Hayden and Harlow Turner sit with Kirby, the lop-eared rabbit, an unusual pet that attracted a lot of admirers during the annual activities at Saywell Park during Heritage Days in 2019. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

What better way to celebrate the history of the Cowichan Lake area than trying to forget about the last two years?

There’s so much to see and do at the 2022 Family Heritage Days Weekend over the May long weekend that chances are you’ll forget the event has been on ice for a couple of years thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Kaatza Station Museum will be featuring its railway and logging historical display — an integral part of the region’s history and a must-see for those not already in the know, or who’d like a refresher on the area’s genesis.

On Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum is also having its used book sale. Check it out after the logging truck parade wraps up at Saywell Park with judging, awards and speeches from the Lady of the Lake reigning royalty and the 2022/23 candidates.

The logging parade kicks off at 10 a.m. at OK Tire at the east end of town and heads down the main drag all the way to Saywell Park.

Following those events, the Cowichan Lake ELKS #293 will celebrate their 75th anniversary with the London Plane Tree Planting Ceremony.

There’s so much more on tap on the Saturday as well.

The Chamber of Commerce’s mobile unit staffers will be in the park handing out logging truck colouring sheets at 10:30 a.m. before the kids’ treasure hunt starts at 11 a.m.

Registration for the Best Dressed Pet Parade and the Kids’ Best Decorated Bike Parade are both in the park at the chamber’s mobile unit at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, with the pet parade beginning at 12:30 p.m. and the bike parade putting rubber to the road at 1 p.m.

There are prizes up for grabs following both parades.

From 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. the Lady of the Lake candidates are offering face painting in the park as well.

Meanwhile, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both the Saturday and Sunday, the Kaatza Art Group is having a show at Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall.

Also on Sunday, May 22, the museum’s used book sale is back for a second day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

What’s more, there is a rhododendron memorial park tour that day, (find information at the museum), as well as a community picnic at the Bell Tower School from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. for those who’d like to get their hands on corn on the cob, hot dogs, tea, coffee, juice, cookies and more.