For one glorious afternoon in August, Bowen Island almost felt “normal” again. The weather was glorious, the food was delicious, the drinks were refreshing, the tunes were rocking, the kids were joyful and everyone was socializing with exuberance. This year’s Bowfest(ish) event was a different day from what we’re used to, but it’s what we could come up with in six weeks, and it was magical. It wasn’t so much about what was scheduled, the fun was in being together in the most beautiful place, laughing with old friends, making new friends and watching the kids run and play, like the last year-and-a-half never happened. Many a heart was re-filled.
It takes a special kind of person to sacrifice their personal time and effort and/or money and take a risk by creating something in the hopes of making our community an even better place to live. So many people came together to make this day happen and they all need to be acknowledged, so here goes: Jim and Michelle Gibson and staff from Par T Perfect who brought all the games; the bands: the Sixties, Black Molly, Jaguar and Andy Buxton the Tech; John O’Malley for helping with equipment delivery; Dylan, Jak, Alexis, Adam and Stirling from Orbaek Meats; Christine Hardie, Danna Hardie, Mary Ann Purdy and Isaac Knowles Gruft from Riley’s Cidery; Sarah Haxby and Helen Wallwork at the Country Fair; Jan Chilvers and Eli Manning at the candy stand; Erik, Sarah, Renee and Zach from Tuk/Tuk and Tell your Friends; Meedu and his Rainbow ice cream truck; Pardeep, Charmaine, Nick, BeBe and Evan Wynen our event security; Martin Wedepohl who drove the Orchard’s safe ride home shuttle; Yvonne McSkimming; Sasha Buchanan and our wonderful RCMP.
No event can come together or finish well without the bashful but always willing set-up and take down crews. Thanks to Scott Stevenson, Alex Grolmus and Ryan McLaren (from Ontario!), Al Vyner, Carlos Henriques, Lachlan and Jocelyn Huinink, Alex Elston, Tyler Jacquet, Eric Michener, Guthrie Gloag and our heroic Parks Guy, Erik Hunter-James. Super special thanks to Hudson, Caius and Vale Henriques, Livea and Lochlan Stevenson and Parker and Brooke Huinink for being patient while your parents got stuff done!
In over 20 years of doing events, I’ve never seen volunteers choose to extend their shifts for the entirety of an event, but this year, not one, but many people did that. I can’t say why exactly that was, but my impression from speaking to a few people, was that everyone who came was so appreciative and encouraging that the fun factor was too high to leave! And they are amazing, community-minded people. Thanks to all our hard-working volunteers: Rebecca Lyne, Sue Fairburn, Susan Nelson, Eva Kepesova, Alix MacDonald, Bob Rains, Sophie Walters, Sheila Kerr, Elaine Loree, Murray and Janice Skeels, Sheryl McKercy and Cathy McKernan, Cicely Ashley, Rebecca Hurst, Nadine Mitchell, Jody Lorenz, Hudson Henriques, Sebastian and Sophia M., Rob and Marie Claire Wynen. We couldn’t have done it without you. A special thanks to our announcer, Jen Loree who kept our spirits high and the day flowing nicely. Well done lady!
The day could never have happened if it wasn't for the generosity of Bowen's businesses, who willingly jumped on board to sponsor this year's event: Allan Financial, Bowen Island Municipality, Snug Cove General Store, First Credit Union, Bowen Building Centre, Frazer Elliott, Union Steamship Company, Doc Morgan's Pub, Coast Island Homes, Sangre de Fruta, Cleartech Consulting, Bowen Island Undercurrent, Bowen Island Volunteer Fire Department, Jacquet Electric, Bowen Waste, Orchard Recovery Centre, Village Square, Mainland Tank Service, Bowen Island Septic Services, J&E Backhoe, Metro Blasting, Ruddy Potato, Branch on Bowen, Copper Spirit Distillery, Tell Your Friends, Bowen Island Integrated Health, MBZ Contracting, Bowen Island Pub, McTaggart Water, Frances Frost & Felicity Buskard, Karin Morris Realtor, Bowen Island Flower Shop. Phew! What amazing support!
The day could never have happened if it wasn’t for the generosity of Bowen’s businesses, who willingly jumped on board to sponsor this year’s event (see them all on the back page of this edition!)
Lastly, when you see them around, please be sure to thank your 2021 Bowfest-ish Volunteer Organizing Committee who worked very hard to create a safe, fun event that everyone could enjoy! Joan Vyner (Co-Chair), Barry Pynn, Tony Beck, Courtney Morris, Tammy Brockmeyer, Natasha Currah and Robyn Fenton. Thanks for being a great team and for keeping the laughs coming!
Whatever the next year throws at us, we can hold on to the amazing memories from Bowfest-ish and the hope that we will be doing it again, next summer (August 27, 2022 – mark your calendars). Thank you to everyone who came out and for believing in each other.
