Your self-guided exploration of super-cultural British Columbia begins here! Browse August-long events, such as music, theatre and dance performances, visual arts, festivals, museum and heritage exhibitions, culinary arts, community art walks and more. A self-guided tour of community-initiated events, Nanaimo’s contribution to the BC Cultural Crawl includes local farm tours, musical entertainment, festivals and fairs, and cultural experience tours. For more information on everything Nanaimo has to offer in August You can visit the Official BC Cultural Crawl Website and download a PDF specific to Nanaimo!

For over two decades, the Nanaimo Silly Boat Regata has been one of the most fun-filled and highly anticipated events of the year. This year was no different. Teams from all over the Nanaimo area gathered together, built the silliest boats they could think of and ran hilarious races for a wonderful cause. The 26th Annual Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta raised over $80,000 for the Childhood Development Centre. Way to go Nanaimo!

Not wanting to miss out on the fun, we headed down to Swy-a-lana Lagoon and joined the thousands of other locals and visitors who watched the race. We brought a camera along.

Teams preparing for the race

The first heat is about to begin!

Eager fans, waiting for the races to begin

*Bang* And they're off!

Traffic Jam!

The Mid-Island Co-Op Boat, winner of Super Silliest Boat!

Some were more functional than others!

A lot of people came out to watch the races!

The famous Nanaimo Pickle Boats!

At the finish line!

First to ring the bell wins!

Even if you weren't enjoying the races, there was sunshine, food and activities galore

The results:

• First Overall The VIEX Kountry Kritters
• Super Silliest Boat The Mid-Island Co-Op
• Super Silliest Sailors The Buccaneer Inn
• Super Silliest Costumes Nanaimo Realty/Royal LePage
• Best Team Spirit The Royal Bank
• First to Sink Carmichael Enterprises (What a dubious, but fun, honour!)

In all, it was another extremely successful year for the Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta. We already can’t wait for next year!

Do you have any photos of the 26th Annual Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta? If you do, email them to aidan@tourismnanaimo.com and we’ll post them here!

So what’s up next for Nanaimo? This weekend, again at Maffeo-Suttan Park on Sunday, July 18th, is the 26th Annual Silly Boat Regatta. Teams made up from different businesses and families have just a few of hours to build their boats (using only recycled material!) and then the race begins! The creative designs that some people come up with will blow you away, someone always gets wet and laughs are guaranteed. During the boat building there are interactive games and activities for children, including the opportunity for them to build their own Silly Boat.

Last year, Team Tourism Nanaimo had an absolute blast in the race!

All proceeds from this event go to the Child Development Centre here in Nanaimo. The CDC is a wonderful organization that provides child development services to families all over Vancouver Island. It is a great cause and is always a fun event. For more information on this year’s Silly Boat Regatta out their website: http://www.sillyboat.com/home.php.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Why not head downtown on July 9th, 10th and 11th to take in the Dragon Boat Festival. Recognized as Nanaimo’s most spectacular summer festival, the 8th annual Save On Foods Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival will be a true celebration of our diverse and beautiful city, attracting over 50,000 people and more than 80 dragon boat teams from across North America.

Beginning on Friday afternoon with the colourful Awakening of the Dragon Ceremony and Chinese Lion Dance, the Festival will continue with two more days of non-stop entertainment on the Main Stage, fabulous food and shopping, and of course, Dragon Boat racing of the highest calibre. Admission is free to the general public so what’s stopping you? Come on down to the waters of Nanaimo Harbour and celebrate with us!

• 3 Days of Unique Culture & Sport with Something for Everyone!
• Thrilling Dragon Boat Races
• Live Main Stage Entertainment Friday, Saturday and Sunday
• Mini Show ‘n Shine with members of the Smokin’ Oldies and Nanaimo T-Bird Club
• Shriner’s Pancake Breakfast
• Labatt’s Beer Garden
• Activities for the little ones in the Little Dragon’s Fun Zone

This is truly one of Nanaimo’s finest festivals, paddlers united in the fight to beat cancer. For details, visit: www.nanaimodragonboat.com/.

Thank you to the event sponsors: Alberni Outpost, Snuneymuxw First Nation and Nanaimo Harbour Ferries.