Minetown Day is a full day of family fun
Lantzville, just north of Nanaimo, may not be a big town, but they know how to put on great events. From the Rotary Club’s wonderful Breakfast with Santa to the Fire Department’s Halloween bonfire and fireworks, people come from all over to join in the festivities. But the crowning event of the year is Minetown Day, which this year is Saturday September 12.
The day starts early with the traditional pancake breakfast at the Lantzville Legion (George says, see you there for the opening at 7am. I say, see you later.) Then at 10am there’s a parade down Lantzville Road ending up at the school grounds, where the rest of the day’s activities are centered. The highlight of the parade is the several dozen decorated bikes that kids have entered in a contest, all riding down the street.
Years ago at our first Minetown Day, there were more people in the parade than watching it. Now you need to get there early to get a good spot. There are over 22 games and rides – all no charge – lots of music, storytelling and dancers. Among our kids favourites: the rock climbing wall, the velcro wall, the dunk tank, and the nail hammering contest. They’ve always been fascinated with the 50/50 Chicken Poop draw. I think the 50/50 stands for 50% interested in winning and 50% interested in seeing the chicken lay its… whatever.
Oh yes, there’s a watermelon eating contest that the kids love to enter – who cares if you win! They also love making cars out of Zucchinis and then racing them for prizes. And maybe, just maybe this year, Grace will be brave enough to take a spin on the human sphere. I think George really wants to do it and is hoping to live the thrill vicariously through his daughter.
There’s also a main stage for musical entertainment all day from noon until 7pm, and historical displays of the town’s rich coal mining heritage, so bring your picnic blanket, a couple of chairs, and spread out on the school grounds to spend the day in Lantzville!
