Hundreds join Ladysmith Canada Day celebrations
Published 5:00 pm Sunday, July 12, 2026
Ladysmith celebrated Canada’s 159th birthday, last Wednesday, July 1, in a traditional Ladysmith way – with family events, music, good food, cake and most of all, together at the town’s crown jewel, Transfer Beach Park.
The overcast sky, looking like impending rain, didn’t dampen the hundreds of spectators who came out to have fun.
The park itself was buzzing with activity with most of the noise coming from the children participating in the games and activities being put on by the town’s parks staff. Children and parents enjoyed tunnel crawls, bean bag tossing, and ring toss among other things.
There was also a variety of community groups, such as Ladysmith Search and Rescue volunteers, Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue, Emergency Management Cowichan, Ladysmith Resources Centre, the Multi-Cultural Society and many others set-up in information kiosks around the park.
The local RCMP, with help from the Nanaimo 529 bicycle protection volunteers, had a tent featuring the 529 program. Project 529 is a free, digital bike registration and recovery system used globally that allows bike owners to register their bike’s serial number and photos to deter theft and recover stolen property.
The party kicked off at 9 a.m. with a pancake breakfast, put on by the Kinsmen club with local member of parliament, Tamara Kronis, helping to fry sausages. The breakfast had a steady lineup all morning.
Starting the ‘official’ part of the celebration, the Doctors of Rock ’n’ Roll band from Nanaimo, played ‘O Canada’ under the clam-shell tent at the Amphitheatre. Mayor Deena Beeston welcomed all the spectators and invited Stz’uminus Chief John Elliott and council to join her and invited members of Ladysmith council to join as well.
“It was just a year ago we were waiting to see what the tariffs had in store for us and we’re still here,” Beeston told the gathering.
“Today we found out that CUSMA will not be extended. That’s OK, because we are still the true north strong and free. We managed then and we’ll manage now. I see everyone here today and thank you for coming to celebrate Canada Day in the best place ever. Thank you all for joining us, have a wonderful day.”
Elliott spoke and thanked everyone for attending and being part of celebration.
“Our community is Ladysmith’s closest neighbour and we are strengthening our futures together, creating opportunities and friendships for years to come,” he said.
Following the opening remarks the mayor and two RCMP members helped cut two huge birthday cakes from the Old Town Bakery and handed it out to the crowd. The Doctors of Rock ’n’ Roll continued to play for the hundreds of spectators while families and children danced on the deck of the amphitheatre.