When July 1 and the last Saturday in August roll around, Bowfest field won’t see its usual crowds of islanders but that doesn’t mean Bowen’s staple summer events are cancelled outright––they’re just going to look a bit different.
Canada Day and Bowfest are going virtual.
For Canada Day, B.I. Community Recreation is working with Paul Whitecotton, video editor Annabelle Coon and local band Black Molly to bring celebrations into islanders’ homes, Bowen Island Municipality announced this week.
Canada Day is usually a two-hour event with a live band or DJ, games for kids, food, crafts, face-painting, a community art project, reptiles, RCMP and Community Paramedic visits and the traditional “waterfall” from the fire department, said the release.
Further Canada Day details will be in the Undercurrent and on the B.I. Community Recreation Facebook page.
As for Bowfest, while the parade is on hold, the fun isn’t. Set for August 29, the Bowfest Organizing Committee says to “be ready to take part in some fun activities, contests and concerts in the safety of your own home, implementing physical distancing with anyone who may not be part of your household.”
“Bowfest would like to thank all the sponsors, partners, businesses, bands, organizations and participants who help make Bowfest such a wonderful, memorable, creative and heart-warming experience each year,” said a press release from the organization. “Bowen Island is an amazing community to be part of and coming together to celebrate is always a good time.
“This year will be different and the Bowfest Organizing Committee hopes to keep the dream alive with some creative and fun opportunities for Bowen Islanders to express ourselves, stay connected (yet physically distanced) and make some great memories!”
Updates on Bowfest plans will be shared through the Undercurrent and the Bowfest Facebook and Instagram pages.
“If you have any ideas, want to be part of the organizing excitement or are just too impatient to wait to hear about all the fun, please feel free to email [email protected] and someone will get back to you soon(ish) - Island time,” said the press release.
Summer events that’ve been cancelled this year due to COVID include the Bowen Island Logger Sports Show, Dock Dance and the SloPitch season.
