16

featuring artifacts estimared at more than 2,000 years old.

An historic tour of Nanaimo wouldn’r be complete
_without a stroll downtown to see the well-preserved her-
itage buildings (See feature, lower right).

. Oceanside:
The Beach Country

~ Miles of sandy shores, coastal mountain vistas, emerald
forests, year-round activities for every age and stage —
. Oceanside is a vacation paradise. The Oceanside region
encompasses Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanoose,
-Arrowsmith/Coombs Country, and Lighthouse Country
” (the collective name for Horne Lake, Qualicum Bay,
Bowser and Deep Bay).
Oceanside in spring offers a number of invigorating

outdoor options — not least wildlife-watching. During’:

_ the March herring season, the Strait of Georgia becomes
a gathering place for sea lions, seals, and birds who com:
-t0 feast on the large schools of fish: There -are'about 230.
bird species commonly spotted here by flocks of binocu

: lared birdwatchers.

Golf is big in Oceanside. ‘There are six courses in the :

“immediate area and another 12 or so within an hour's
_ drive. In most cases, the courses are open year-round and
sffer challenges to every level of golfer. :

. Kayaking in Ozeanside’s protected waters is popular i in
very season; local guides and outfitters can take you pad-
ling to places such-as Jedediah Island off Nanoose Bay

to Lasqueti Island. Or tet someone else drive the boat

ing cn to a boating excursion or fishing charter.

PAID ADVERTISING

* - Parksville’ Chamber of Comm 2.0. Box ns
B.C. VOP 243. phone: 250-248- 3613; fax: 250-2 85210.
injoschamber parksville-be.ca>
iber. parksvi

Oceanside's fabulous beaches are amazing any time.
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is'a summer-time
favourite, perfect for beachcombing and forest walks.

Inland, Oceanside has some beautiful parks for hikers,
mountain bikers, freshwater anglers and nature lovers.
Englishman River Falls Provincial Park, near Errington,
has easy hiking trails leading to the falls, mountain-biking
paths and an acclaimed fishing river. Little Qualicum
Falls Provincial Park has riverside walking trails and a
picnic area, while nearby Cameron Lake offers fishing,
boating, canoeing and kayaking.

Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park is open year-round
for self-guided tours in the main and lower caves; access

to other caves and the guided tour programs begins in

mid-June.
Horne Lake itself is known for year-round kokanee,

‘cutthroat and rainbow.

Oceanside’s communities are accessed easily via the
Inland tsland Highway (Hwy. 19) or the Oceanside Route
(Hwy. 19A).

sland

Aug, 12-13

along, Memorial

“under an

re :
. joyfest 2000. Contemporary «
~ Christian Music with [5 Christian

play, Canadian ;
sn ‘action-packed show
a replica of field

Nanaimo Merine Festival and ©

‘ World Championship Bathtub

Race. Bathtub Days Street Fair on’
hy 20 on-Commercial Street,
entertainment, children’s activities, :
ewalk marketplace, wacky contests,
ors. parade and more. Bathtub

‘J y 21-23

ambs Redeo. ‘Western-style fun
“everyone including rodeo events .

and darices. Coo bs: Rodeo Grounds,

S.
"Coombs Country ’ Bluegrass:
Festival. Coomb:

‘odeo Grounds,

Aug. 10-13 |. oo
Wortd Croquet Championship.
ksville, 1-25: 70,

cocking competitions and no noisy -
tides. Coombs Fair Grounds,

Aug. {8-21 :
Vancouver Isiand Exhibition. Free:
entertainment, 4-H competitions: ~~

’ fairgrounds, arts and crafts, Beban™
y Park,.Nanaimo. - ;

oA . 18-20

jite Beach Festival. A

up in S Nenaiene Vancouver island’ “Hub
there has also been a determined effort t ti

‘Today, this city
become a a regional ce (

_ Coombs Fall Fair. Features a taste of . -
_ country living with 4-H displays, °

weekend of family beach fun including

an international sandcastl¢-building _ °

- competition: Parksyille,

Aug. 18-20 - :

Pig ’n’ Fin. Motorcycle rodeo, poker
run, show and shine. A fundraiser for .
the Association for. Injured .

: Motorcyclists. Coombs Rodeo
, Grounds. Call Mike,: 1-250-248- 2486. ”

- Aug. 26 a

Festival of Lights. A world-class
fireworks show at dusk, around —
10 p.m. Parksville Beach. :

Aug. 26
Grand Prix DAtt. B. C. artists have -
three hours to complete'a piece of

~_work'in their medium of choice
“(except photography and video.) The

Old Schoo! House. Qualicum Beach,
; nee £-3201.

Malohat Challenge. Pre-I Fy 16

. vehicles brave the Malahat Pass ~
.. between Victoria and Nanaimo. For, . a
*: information, ‘call 1-250-754-8141: 4.

; Wallewsy, which sceches for 1 tore.
~ kilometres along the central harbout

| : boats and open

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