NANAIMO, B.C.
Hub, grub and lots of tubs
An unusual idea has grown into an international festival
Long known as the hub city due to its proximity to the mainland, the Gulf Islands and northern Vancouver Island, Nanaimo is becoming internationally recognized for more than its geography.
RUB-A-DUB, DUB: The bathtub boats entered in the annual International World Championship Bathtub Race have evolved from floating wash basins to streamlined racing machines. —Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society photo
In 1967, a centennial grant was made available to all communities in Canada who wished to commemorate the country’s 100th birthday. Frank Ney, a Nanaimo business owner and local idea man, proposed an unusual boat race—all the boats had to be made of bathtubs.
The idea caught on. Over the last 40 years, the Nanaimo Marine Festival has grown from a ragtag collection of bathtub boats bobbing in Nanaimo’s harbour to a four-day-long community celebration that culminates in the highly competitive final event, the International World Championship Bathtub Race. Folks from all around the world will be attending the festival in 2006, which will be held from July 20 to 23.
RVers can get a good view
Scott Littlejohn, co-owner of Living Forest Oceanside RV Park & Campground in Nanaimo, gives RVers a chance to experience the many events the festival has to offer while still being able to take in the peaceful ocean scenery that makes Nanaimo a popular destination all year long.
His campground, located only five kilometres from Nanaimo’s downtown core and the bulk of the festivities, presents the best of both worlds to RVers.
“It is a really cool location to stay at, because if you want to be right in the thick of it, we’re really close, but if you want to see things from your own site, you can do that too,” said Littlejohn.
The waterfront campsites provide a spectacular view of the starting line of the bathtub race in Nanaimo’s harbour, said Littlejohn, and campers also have a perfect vantage point to enjoy the nightly fireworks displays.
In addition, a bus stop two blocks away gives RVers easy access to the frequent city buses to downtown, allowing visitors to partake freely of the winning concoction from the Tubbing Time Tonic drink competition—an annual contest in which local bartenders compete to create the signature drink of the festival.
A community affair
The Nanaimo Marine Festival has something to offer everyone, said Bill McGuire, Commodore of the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society.
“(The festival) encompasses the whole community,” said McGuire. “There’s a parade, craft fairs, fireworks and performances—all kinds of different events going on.”
Littlejohn believes the festival provides RVers with a chance to see firsthand the warmth and vitality of Nanaimo.
“The whole downtown is alive and everybody’s talking about the same thing,” said Littlejohn. “The sense of community from the event is amazing.”
DETAILS:
The 2006 Nanaimo Marine Festival will take place in Nanaimo from July 20 to 23, 2006, with the International World Championship Bathtub Race on July 23.
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