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Royal BC Museum celebrates Canada, past and present

Holiday weekend lineup includes Penny Carnival, live performances, extended hours
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Games of tug of war will be among the activities going on Canada Day weekend around the Royal BC Museum in Victoria. Courtesy Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum celebrates Canada Day with three days of family-friendly programming, looking into the future while still remembering the past.

A stage outside the Belleville Street entrance to the museum has a jam-packed schedule of cultural performances from noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday (June 29 and 30), and from noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday (July 1).

“To honour our traditional territories, the Lekwungen dancers [of the Songhees Nation] will open each day with an hour-long performance,” says Kim Gough, learning program developer with RBCM.

Folklore dancers Viva Mexico, Taiko drummers, and Bucan Bucan, a gypsy folk band “you can’t help but get up and dance to” will also hit the stage throughout the weekend, along with The Awesome Possums.

On Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. the Penny Carnival returns, giving visitors a taste of history, incorporating Helmcken House and the other historic buildings in the adjacent Thunderbird Park.

“We wanted to draw attention to these historic buildings and provide some family activities for people,” Gough explains.

Each game costs just one penny, and for 21st century kids, the tug-of-war or bean bag toss aren’t exactly activities they’re familiar with, but Gough says the old-fashioned fun has become a holiday tradition for many families.

“Everyone seems to have that little jar of pennies at home,” she says, noting the coins are all but extinct. “If there was ever a reason for them, the Penny Carnival is it.”

The museum will also extend its hours for the holiday weekend, staying open until 10 p.m. both Friday and Saturday.

“It’s always important for us to be part of the community,” Gough says. “It’s important that our venue highlights all the communities of B.C.”

For a complete schedule of events visit RoyalBCMuseum.bc.ca.

kristyn.anthony@vicnews.com