NANAIMO — Following a two year layoff Nanaimo’s signature event returns to Maffeo Sutton Park.

Bathtub weekend runs with numerous events from Friday, July 22 until Sunday July 24 when the World Championship Bathtub Race starts and finishes at the park.

Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore Greg Peacock said their board of directors worked tirelessly over the last year to stage this year’s event.

“The excitement, the enthusiasm that’s around town that we lead up to this weekend makes it 100 per cent worthwhile.”

A kickoff ticketed concert takes place Friday night at the park.

Following that, Maffeo Sutton Park will be home to free concerts all day Saturday between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Saturday night’s headliner is Tragically Hip tribute band Straight from the Hip.

Peacock said most of of the musical performers at this year’s event are Nanaimo based artists.

About a dozen food trucks will be on site Saturday and Sunday, as will a range of vendors, a kids zone, and beer gardens.

On Saturday the annual Bathtub weekend parade starts at 10:30 a.m. on Albert St. at Cavan St. and proceeds downt Commercial St, Church St. and Front St. to Maffeo Sutton Park.

“There’s so much interest in it, we’ve got upwards I believe of 50 parade entries in just the last little while that are going to be there.”

Due to budgetary constraints Peacock said there will not be a fireworks display this year.

This year’s 53rd annual bathtub race is expected to see 35 to 50 entrants in the stock and super modified divisions.

The race starts on Sunday at 11 a.m.

The bathtub race concludes the Nanaimo Marine Festival involving three consecutive weekends of nautical based events based at Maffeo Sutton Park.

More information on bathtub weekend events can be viewed here.

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