It's full steam ahead for Father's Day weekend fun with the BC Forest Discovery Centre.
In what has become a dad's day tradition, the BC Forest Discovery Centre located in North Cowichan once again celebrates the men of the house with their annual Father's Day Antique Tractor Show, and the Shay #1 Steam Locomotive gets on track for the season on weekends.
Presented by the Vintage Machinery Society it's the gift that keeps on giving as fathers, grandfathers, and great grandfathers will get in for the special admission of $3 when accompanied by their children. The weekend event scheduled is for June 14 and 15.
The centre's newly restored Hillcrest Shay #1 Steam Locomotive will be be getting in loco-motion starting that weekend for the summer season as it
hits the track running every half hour from the station. It will be non-stop fun all weekend with both the tractor parade, and popular slow tractor race on both days with an awards presentations held at 2 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.
"Each year the show attracts vintage tractors from not only the Cowichan region but also from other Vancouver Island Vintage Machinery Clubs," said Tractor Show event organizer Geoff Hopps. “Everyone with old tractors is invited to the museum. As with other years, we’re expecting tractors from Nanaimo, Courtenay and Campbell River this year. The event continues to grow yearly."
The centre, which is open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will also be serving up sawmill demonstrations on Father's Day weekend until 2 p.m. Once guests have quenched their thirst for knowledge, they will be able to satisfy their appetite with either a barbecue burger or hot dog which will be sold at the centre's lower concession.
This two-day event is free for all holders of a 2025 membership. For more information on all the Father's Day fun visit www.bcforestdiscoverycentre.com.
