Preparations for Canada Day are already in full swing on the North Island, with plenty of new events joining the established favourites on this year's calendar.
Sointula will play host to an inaugural regatta this year, with organizers hoping to tempt local pleasure-boaters to join in the festivities.
The weekend begins with a pub night welcome at the Whale's Rub Pub on Saturday night, with participants receiving full course information before music and dancing.
Canada Day sees the main celebration, with a Coast Guard Auxiliary display, free boat inspections and dragon boat rides.
At 1 p.m. there will be a sailboat fun race and sail past followed by a powerboat predicted log race at 1:30 p.m. with prizes awarded later in the afternoon.
There's plenty for landlubbers to do too, with the Canada Day cake cutting, a beer garden, barbecue, and marine market showcasing fresh local food at the new Malcolm Island Lions Harbour.
Monday will wrap up the weekend with bird watching and museum tours being offered as well as a blacksmithing demonstration and local artists' showcase.
Those interested in participating in the regatta have until June 16 to get the early pre-registration price of $25 with the price going up to $40 after the deadline.
All funds from the regatta will go to the Malcolm Island Lions Club's Friends In Need Now (FINN), which is used to provide assistance to those needing medical travel expenses.
For more information or to register email regattasointula@gmail.com or call 250-974-7031.
Alert Bay will also be hosting a new event as they launch the Dog Run mountain bike race this Canada Day.
The race will cover the entire island and raise money for animal rescue. Although the focus is on having fun and helping a good cause, there are prizes on offer to the fastest riders, from bike gear donated by Rocky Mountain Cycle to wood carvings.
The day starts with a kid's race at 8 a.m. while the adults line up at 11 a.m., with the awards ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. The event will be rounded out with dancing at the Legion, with music provided by Slack Water.
The money raised by the event will go to helping injured dogs, cats and eagles, and provide spaying for the first two as long as funds are available.
Anyone interested in race information or for tickets to the dance should check www.thedogrun.ca
Port McNeill's Canada Day begins with a children's fishing derby in the morning with the R.C.M.P. and Rangers raising the flag at 11 a.m. before the Port McNeill Airport's flying show and free plane rides for kids.
The harbour area will host children's activities in the afternoon with a cake cutting and barbecue on hand.
For more information or to get involved, call the Chamber Office at 250-956-3131.
Port Hardy's Canada Day celebrations will take place around the Rotary Pavilion at Storey's Beach again this year.
The event, which promises to be packed with family activities, kicks off at noon with the traditional walking parade and speeches. Following the speeches there will be a sandcastle building contest, bouncy castle and balloon darts, to name a few.
There will be a display from the Port Hardy Museum celebrating the Queen's Jubilee and offerings from the North Island Art Society as well as concession stands from the Kinsmen and Retroz coffee shop and much more.
For more information on this event contact Tracey Sutton at 250-230-8733.