Boston Bar residents are gearing up for the 86th annual May Day Festival on Saturday.
The community event is steeped in tradition and is the second longest running May Day celebration, second to New Westminster.
May Day there has been celebrated since 1870, making it the longest running May Day celebration in the entire Commonwealth.
“It’s just a labour of love. It means a lot,” said volunteer Shirley Crow.
“The people who are on the May Day committee are the ones that keep it going. Many of the seniors in this town have spent their time at May Day and what we keep doing is trying to get the younger generation involved.”
Preparation for this year’s event started in January. Festivities include the parade, traditional May Pole dance performed by Boston Bar Elementary Secondary School students, crowning of May Queen Lesley Campbell, and presentation of the community spirit awards by the Boston Bar North Bend Enhancement Society.
There will also be children’s activities, a silent auction, beer garden, food tent, vendors and live music at the fairgrounds on May 25.
Rain or shine, the parade leaves Boston Bar Elementary Secondary School at 10 a.m. on route to Memorial Park via Old Boston Bar Road, Highway 1, and Chaumox Road. Several awards will be handed out including best decorated car or truck, best costume, and best marching group.
The evening stage lineup features Atlantic Crossing with special guests Cease and Desist. The Beatles tribute band performs hits spanning more than five decades.
Tickets are $30 at the door for adults and $25 for youth.
The show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m.