Working hard at having a relaxing Labour Day weekend
We all want to teach our kids the true meaning of Christmas. What about teaching them the true meaning of Labour Day? That’s George’s plan for the girls this year: cutting the lawn, weeding the garden, ripping out that old fence and putting in a new one. Some good old-fashioned labour. Okay, while we see how that works out, your family might want to try:
The Lighthouse Country Fall Fair – Saturday Sept 5 in Bowser/Deep Bay. Features plenty of activities for the kids, including pony rides, a petting zoo, and bouncy castles (how did we manage before bouncy castles came along?), and the theme this year is home gardening, with lots of tips and displays, as well as fresh produce. The fair is at the Lighthouse Community Centre from 10am until 4pm. Adults are $5.00 and kids under 12 are free.
Port Alberni Salmon Festival – Fri Sept 4 – Mon Sept 7. Grace will be too busy ripping out fence posts to be able to take part in the fishing – there’s a $10,000 prize for the largest salmon caught during the Festival and hundreds of other prizes. Fireworks will be on Friday night, and there’s a dunk tank, lots of great food and entertainment all weekend long. There’ s a free bullhead derby early Sunday morning. All takes place at the Clutesi Haven Marina.
Labour Day Swim – Mon Sept 7, Nanaimo – With the Aquatic Centre closed for maintenance and the ocean losing its “make you think you’re living in Hawaii” temperatures, you can grab a good long swim between 12 noon and 5pm at the Beban Park pool.
Hike to Labour Day Lake – Ok, you’re really celebrating the weekend if you make the trek to this lake – yes, that really is its name – which is literally half way between Port Alberni and Nanaimo (as the crow flies – see the map below). It’s a pretty hefty hike for a family, but what are days of labour for, as George would say.
Or you could just relax at home and have a nice barbeque – maybe do a New Year’s Eve kind of countdown to the kids going back to school. Oh wait, that’s for later at night when they’re in bed.
