B.C. Day was beach day in Langford, where crowds gathered in force to enjoy a newly upgraded beach at Langford Lake.
When they couldn’t get a spot on the sun-drenched sand, beach fans made do with a spot on the wooden walkway beside the beach.
“It’s perfect,” said Brett Buckley who took his children to the beach on Monday afternoon. “It’s close to everything, you can ride your bike down here and it’s great for kids to swim in.”
Construction for the beach, off Leigh Road across from City Centre Park, started in May 2013 and includes a boat launch as well as a sandy and grassy area for families. Construction of a new playground and washrooms is underway.
“It was so full that there wasn’t much room for residents to enjoy it,” said Mayor Stew Young.
He said cost of the project is expected to be about $300,000.
The beach is one of three Langford has recently developed, with the other two being on Glen Lake. But those beaches saw limited use because health officials have found high bacteria levels in the water, caused by birds, and have warned against swimming there.
While some relaxed on the Langford Lake beach, others went to nearby City Centre Park to celebrate the provincial holiday as part of the second annual Westhills B.C. Day celebration, held from noon to 5 p.m.
The event was hosted by Westhills, Santas Anonymous, the City of Langford’s City Centre Park and the Times Colonist.
In front of the park, Oak Bay Bicycles set up wooden ramps to host a BMX show, while on Goudy field there were bouncy castles and a live band to keep families entertained.
April Austin moved to Langford with her family in March from the Gulf Coast of the United States and said this was her first time experiencing the holiday festivities.
“I didn’t know it was a holiday at first. It’s been beautiful here. Lots of sun and the kids have enjoyed it,” she said.
In Victoria, crowds gathered at the annual celebrations on the grounds of St. Ann’s Academy on Humboldt Street.
The focus was all on the province, as B.C. photographers and performers had their work showcased.
Free flags were handed out to passerbys, with volunteers estimating they gave away 1,500 flags.
Kym Harvey watched her five year old son Jeremy pick up drumsticks and bang out a rhythm on a garbage can as part of Organized Khaos Percussion Ensemble, which raises money for leukemia treatments.
“We’re having a great time. We try to come every year because it’s such a good family event,” Harvey said.
The big hit for Jeremy was to have his picture taken and projected on a green screen alongside a Grizzly bear.
The first Monday of August was declared a provincial holiday in 1996. It was first proposed in a bill by Ernie Hall, the provincial secretary under Premier Dave Barrett, in 1974. The day recognizes the indepdendence of the colony of British Columbia from Great Britain on Aug. 2, 1858.
