Don't let the potential (30 per cent chance of) showers dampen your enthusiasm for the annual celebration of all things Bowen Saturday. Get a good sleep and get out early for a full day of fun.
The day starts off with Rotary’s Run for Rwanda. The kids 1.5 kilometre run starts from the ferry dock at 8:30 a.m. and the adult iterations (five km or 10 km) see feet hit the street at 9 a.m. If you haven’t already registered online at https://raceroster.com/events/2018/18470/rotary-run-for-rwanda-2018, registration’s open until 5 p.m. Friday evening. Otherwise you can sign up day-of on the library lawn. Registration fees are $20 for adults, $10 for children, $25 for late registration. You can pick up race bibs on the library lawn between 4 and 7 p.m. Friday afternoon. Proceeds go to girls’ education in Rwanda.
The Bowfest parade begins at 10:50 a.m. after the ferry leaves and proceeds from BICS down Trunk Road.
Bowfest field gates open at 11:30 a.m.
You have until 5 p.m. today to buy Bowfest entrance wristbands at Phoenix for $5. Otherwise you can buy them at the gate for $10. People under 18 are free.
Enter your submissions for the Country Fair at the fair tent between 11:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Public voting happens between 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. Winners will be announced at 2 p.m.
Country fair activities include:
- Tallest flower grown on Bowen - bring in the actual flower, or a photo with proof of height (adult and youth).
- Biggest zucchini grown on Bowen zucchini-type squash only - bring in your biggest squashes (adult and youth).
- Strangest looking vegetable or fruit or plant grown on Bowen.
- Best photo of any type of B.C. bee extra points for information about what type of bee and where, when and why the photo was taken (adult/youth).
- Best photo of a B.C. Slug -explain why you think it is incredible (adult/youth).
- Favourite animal or farm or pet animal award through photos, drawings, poetry, a short story, or online media... share with us why you think your animal is the best (youth only).
- Lego Contest - use your imagination and explain how you were inspired to create it (youth only).
- Fibre arts finest - finest hand knit/crocheted/spun/felted creation (extra points if you use any locally-sourced fibres, or did any of the dyeing with local ingredients -please explain the inspiration for the piece and what it is made of) - adults/youth
- Slug races will run at 12:45 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. at the Country Fair Tent! Adults and youth welcome to bring a racing slug and slug race bribe (ex. A piece of lettuce). Slugs that interfere with other racing slugs during a race will be disqualified. No snails allowed! Racing slugs from Bowen-only allowed! Slugs must be returned to the wild after the race.
- Best Bowen cookie contest! Bring at least six of your best baked cookies, a list of ingredients and a story of why they are the best (youth/adult) *NEW!
Other events at Bowfest field include:
- Rides
- Community games (1 to 3 p.m.)
- Booths from local businesses, artisans and makers
- Booths from community groups
- Boat building
- Face painting
- Tot play area
- Beer garden between 12 p.m. and 10 p.m.
On the main stage:
- Children’s entertainment from Gina Lina at 12:30 p.m.
- Lip synch contest at 1:30 p.m
- The Heels, a female country music trio from North Vancouver, play at 2:30 p.m.
- Local talent, the David Graff Band, plays at 4:30 p.m.
- Local band, Black Molly, plays at 6:40 p.m.
- The Millennials, a Vancouver cover band, closes out the night at 8:15 p.m.
On the small stage:
- A dance presentation pirouettes onstage at 1:15 p.m.
- Musician Danny Cowan plays at 3:45 p.m.
- Zach Brannon follows at 5:45 p.m.
- The Seven Hills Band closes out the small stage starting at 7:45 p.m.
When all is said and done, you’ve got your ribbons, ridden the rides, heard the music, join the after party at the Bowen Island Pub. Ginger 66 plays between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. Cover is $10.
For more information, please visit https://www.bowfest.org/about-bowfest.
There are still volunteer slots available at: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/2362116/false#/invitation.
