Boston Bar is celebrating its 87th 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.
“This is our town’s event. There’s always people that come back every year,” said volunteer Shirley Crow. “Without the volunteers this wouldn’t happen.”
Preparation for the annual event starts in January. Festivities will include a parade with more equestrian and old car entries, traditional May Pole dance performed by Boston Bar Elementary Secondary School students, crowning of May Queen Betty Davidson, and presentation of the community spirit awards by the Boston Bar North Bend Enhancement Society.
There will also be children’s games and activities, cook shack, vendors and live music at the fairgrounds on May 24.
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 the ABBA tribute band Arrival with special guests The Grove. The authentic sounding, seven piece band performs in full costumes, similar to the actual styles worn by the original ABBA members. The group has played many shows over the last few years in casinos, theatres and corporate events all around the world, including Las Vegas, the Dominican Republic, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Regina.
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.