When the calendar flips over to July and the weather heats up, the Sunshine Coast gets into festival mode - and what a festive time it is.
This is a wonderful time to be a resident or a visitor in our fine community.
Festival season started on Monday, July 1, as residents up and down the Coast celebrated our nation's 146th birthday.
The day kicked off with the annual parade down Cowrie Street and moved over to Hackett Park and, for the first time this year, into Trail Bay Centre for more entertainment and festivities. By most accounts, it was a festive family atmosphere and everyone had a great time. Further down the Coast, Gibsons celebrated too with activities for young and old in Winegarden Park. Canada Day is a wonderful day to show your patriotic spirit and, once again, Coasters demonstrated how proud they are to live in this great country.
This weekend marks the return of the popular Music in the Landing concert series that will run every weekend in different venues in Gibsons Landing showcasing the amazing musical talent we have here on the Coast. Our hats go off to Linda Williams who works tirelessly to present this unique summertime institution.
Next weekend it's Halfmoon Bay's time to get into the spotlight as they host the 47th annual Country Fair.
Later in the month, Gibsons celebrates the 45th anniversary of Sea Cavalcade. And as we reported last week, there are significant schedule changes this year. The organizing committee was forced to make changes to help alleviate the problems with drinking and excess partying that have plagued some of the events the past few years. They also moved the fireworks to Sunday night to conclude the festival rather than Friday or Saturday. The move has not been a popular one, judging by some of the feedback on Facebook and our online question of the week.
We understand the disappointment, but changes needed to be made in order for this event to continue. It's unfortunate that some people who can't have a good time without causing trouble have altered the plans. We hope people will get out there and still have a great time and enjoy this event. Who knows how many more years it will be around for us to enjoy.
August brings us the Festival of the Written Arts, always a literary treat for many, the Festival of the Rolling Arts for all the car enthusiasts, Creek Daze, the Hackett Park arts and craft fair, Synchronicity Festival - whew, are you tired yet?
It's shaping up to be a wonderful summer. Get out there and take in these many great events with your family and friends. Celebrate this community, its volunteers and all it has to offer. We're lucky to have so many amazing events right in our own backyard.
