All Nakusp's community-favourite festivities return to the village this July 1 for its busiest day of the year.
This includes Nakusp's annual lawnmower parade and race, which returns on Canada Day for the fifth year and runs 1 to 4 p.m.
At 11 p.m., the Show 'n' Shine car, truck and bike parade rolls through First Street, sponsored by Gilberts Part Depot. The car show itself runs 12 to 3 p.m., with prizes awarded to fender favourites. Riders interested in joining can contact Sharlene May at 780-908-7456 to register, and must assemble at 10 a.m.
First thing for Canada Day, though, is Nakusp & District Volunteer Fire Department's pancake breakfast, 7 to 10 a.m.
The national anthem will later be sung at noon, followed by cake serving.
From 1 to 5 p.m., a sandcastle competition takes place on Nakusp's beach with $1,000 in prizes, sponsored by Halcyon Heights and Nakusp's Ed and Dan Wiebe. For a $20 entry fee, avid sand sculptors can register in groups of six by calling 250-265-7171 or 250-265-8414.
There will also be a kids' scavenger hunt for money buried along the sandy shores, with competition categories for companies, youth and families.
Additional children's activities include a fishpond and races for those from "baby crawler" age to 12 years old, arranged by Nakusp's Touch of Fashion & Trendy Treads Footwear and Coldwell Banker Rosling Real Estate.
Beer gardens will run 2:30 p.m. onward, organized by Nakusp's Kootenay Thunder ladies' hockey team, with last call for alcohol at 8:30 p.m.
Music will also serenade the village in a summer soundscape from 2:30 to 8:30, thanks to local musical talent such as Dr. B & the Biscuit, SKOLL and Lisa Lisious.
Finally, the fire department caps off the day with a fireworks display at 10 p.m.
