Nanaimo Marine Festival
&
“Great” INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
BATHTUB RACE

Nanaimo harbor was the scene of a bathtub race extravaganza at the first race in 1967. As the City of Nanaimo's "Centennial Event" that year, close to 200 tubbers (in every type of craft imaginable) entered the fun competition and amazingly, 47 completed the 36 mile course to Vancouver's Fisherman's Cove across the straits of Georgia. Now the "Great RACE" finishes at Departure Bay in Nanaimo covering a very grueling course that leaves Nanaimo harbor circles Entrance Island and then up to and around Winchelsea Island and then back to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. In the early days it was indeed a challenge to just get past the starting line in the choppy confusion caused by an extra 785 small and large observation and escort boat in Nanaimo harbor. From the confusion of a first time bathtub race 41 years ago, the Nanaimo to Nanaimo "Great" INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BATHTUB RACE & 4 day Nanaimo Marine Festival has evolved. Where once a select band of tubbers were the highlight they now share the spotlight with many other land and water events which are interesting and often spectacular to watch.

This years Nanaimo Marine Festival's salute is to the “150th anniversary of the Province of BRITISH COLUMBIA”. The salute will also be the theme for the city wide "Spirit of Tubbing" competition sponsored by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce as well as the theme for the "SAIL PAST on WHEELS FUN PARADE" on the Saturday oft Bathtub Weekend. The "Spirit of Tubbing" competition encourages the entire business community to get in the "Bathtub Spirit" by decorating their business in the Marine Festival theme and having their staff dress in the "Official Bathtub Race T-shirts. Judging takes place mid-month and awards for different sized businesses are handed out during the Marine Festival week and proudly displayed."

The various events through out the city in July culminate with the KICK OFF on Thursday, July 24th with the opening of the LNBS Marine Festival Food Fair, Kiddies Harborside Playdock, Kiddies Karnival, "TIM HORTONS" Marine Festival Entertainment Stage and the children's programs at Maffeo Sutton and Swy-a-lana Lagoon parks adjacent to the Nanaimo Harbor. Also for your enjoyment are the many informative static displays on boat safety, military, water sports plus many others.
On Saturday, July 26th at 10:30 AM the annual “Sail Past on Wheels Fun Parade” sponsored by WOODGROVE CENTRE, takes place through the Old City Quarter and the City Center followed by the the finals of the LNBS World Championship Waiters Race sponsored jointly by the PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP AND MOLSON. Also down at the waterfront the Marine Festival Food Fare, the Kiddies Harborside Playdock, the SPCA Pet Parade, TIM HORTONS Marine Festival Entertainment Stage, the Kiddies Karnival, along with many other static displays and the Nanaimo Hornets Rugby Football Club's Bavarian Garden & Bikini Contest held beside the Civic Arena and various events in the harbor.

In the evening Vancouver Islands premier fireworks display the spectacular "QUALITY FOODS" Festival of Lights & Music fireworks display takes place in the Nanaimo harbor at 10:00 PM. Then join the thousands of excited spectators as the 42nd annual "Great" INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BATHTUB RACE starting at 11:00 AM sharp in Nanaimo harbor for the approximate 1 ½ hour challenge in the straits of Georgia to the "PEPSI FINISH LINE" at Departure Bay. After the tubs leave the excitement continues both on land and in the water with the Marine Festival Food Fair, the Kiddies Karnival, Harborside Playdock, If you prefer (and remember you can do both) you can join us at the always spectacular "PEPSI FINISH LINE" at Departure Bay beach and watch the finish of the "Great" RACE and enjoy the many food and refreshment booths
Four full days of fun and activities for the young, old and in-between, family oriented and held in NANAIMO , the Sun-Porch of Canada, the Jewel of the West and the Bathtub Racing Capital of the World, during the always (well almost always) sunny month of July. So come join us July 24th to July 27th, 2008 and take in the World's Cleanest Sport, Bathtub Racing and the 42nd running of the "Great" INTERNATIONAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BATHTUB RACE & Nanaimo Marine Festival and another bonus most of the events and activities are FREE.

Updated 15 March 08