MAY

International Workers Day – May 1st

Annual event held to commemorate the hundreds of workers who died in Cumberland's coal mines and fighting for justice and safety. The Cumberland Museum & Archives hosts a Bean Dinner and educational evening. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Dinner is served at 6:45.

Heritage Fashion Show – May 12th

The Cumberland Museum & Archives hosts their annual heritage fashion show, Saturday afternoon. Along with the show of this years theme fashions, tasty desserts will be served. For further info: 336-2445

EMPIRE DAYS – May 10-19, 2008

Saturday May 10th @ 6:30pm Cumberland Recreation Hall Cinch tournament -Game starts at 7:00pm with an entry fee of $5.00. This card game involves frustration and lots of laughs; it brings out the competitor in you. Door prizes, beverages and snacks.

Monday May 12th @ 7pm Cumberland Cultural Centre

Annual Heritage Fashion Show hosted by the Cumberland Museum & Archives .Along with the fashions and trends of the 1960`s, all those who attend will enjoy tasty treats, games, great prizes and entertainment. Tickets $10.00 available at the Cumberland Museum or you may reserve by calling 336-2445. Tuesday May 13 @ 7pm The Cumberland Royal Canadian Legion on Dunsmuir Ave Annual Community Bingo. Fundraiser for: local BMX track association, Rebekah`s Lodge, Cumberland Community School lunch program and local chapter of Tour de Rock. Everyone is welcome to play 20 interesting and challenging games.

Wednesday May 14 @ 7pm Cumberland Recreation Hall

The Cumberland Empire Day Annual Fashion Show. Doors open at 6:00pm, tickets are $5.00 available at the Recreation Hall. Fashions from Kids Shack, Bling, Warehouse One, Sport Mart, Boot Legger, The Patch and Wal-Mart. Models for the evening are the Royal May Queen Party and children ranging in age from Cumberland. Coffee, tea and treats will be served. Intermission entertainment will be by the Laurie Tinkler Dancers and singer Caitlyn Card. The City Slicker and Our Nell at the Cumberland United Church, 2688 Penrith Sponsored by The Cumberland Centennial Rotary Club. Performances are scheduled for May 14th & 18th at 7:00 pm & May 17th 2:00pm Tickets : Adults $10:00 children $5.00 with a special family rate of $25.00 (4 people in family).

Friday May 16 @ The Cumberland Royal Canadian Legion on Dunsmuir Ave

Trivia Night at the Legion. Come and test yourself or challenge a friend to a night of fun. Everyone is welcome come as a team or as an individual and we will find you a team to play with. The cost is $2.00 per person. This is a fun and relaxed night.

Saturday May 17th

Village Market Day- The Cumberland Chamber of Commerce is once again sponsoring this event during the Cumberland Empire Days weekend celebrations. The festivities will kick off with the Chamber’s traditional Pancake Breakfast at 9:00 am, this year to be held in the Village Square. Throughout the day there will be performing artists and interactive activities for children. 10:00am -4:00pm Street Market on Dunsmuir Avenue will be open to pedestrian traffic only between First and Fourth Streets. Offering visitors and locals alike a chance to enjoy a stroll down Cumberland’s historic main street while perusing the many goods and services available in the village. Local and regional artists, artisans & craftspeople will also have their creations on display. A diverse & interesting collection of vendors & performers are expected this year. 10:00 am - Soap Box Derby on Dunsmuir Avenue in front of the Waverley Hotel, presented by the Cumberland Empire Days committee . Registration forms can be picked up at the Recreation Hall or available on site. This year the committee purchased and built two soap box’s that are available to children who wish to race. Parents must contact Sarah at 336-8682 if your child would like to participate. This event is free to all, and prizes will be awarded. 11:00am – Chinese Cemetery on Union Rd :Heritage Landmark Dedication . The Village of Cumberland Mayor and Council is inviting everyone to join us at the Chinese Cemetery on Union Road at 11:00 am to dedicate the cemetery as a heritage landmark. A plaque will be unveiled in recognition of the contribution this site adds to our rich culture and history. Following the Ceremony a lunch will be held at the Cumberland Legion at 12:30pm. The cost is $5.00 per person and can be pre paid at the Village Office. 12:00pm – 3:00pm at Masonic Hall- Dunsmuir at First , Luncheon-Bazaar hosted by Cumberland Star Society. Lunch $5.00. Bake sale, silent auction, craft table, cake walk, and white elephant sale. Proceeds go to various charities. At 1:30 a tour of Coal Creek Historic Park (formerly Perseverance Creek Historic Park) will be conducted. 7:00pm - Empire Days Dinner, Dance & Awards : Cumberland Recreation Hall. Sponsored by The Cumberland Empire Days Committee, featuring the band “Molly Hogan’s”. Doors open at 6:00pm, Dinner at 7:00 pm, tickets available at the recreation hall for $20.00 per person. Each year the committee presents three awards, The Pete Cameron long time service award, the Individual award (a person not on the committee but has volunteered for many hours to help the committee) and the business award goes to a business that has helped the committee over the past year.

Sunday May 18 – Village Park @ Dunsmuir & 6th 12:00pm – 4:00pm - Village Park Bavarian Garden

Uncle Muck & Friends on stage with traditional Newfoundland Music and songs from “Chin” to instruments and everything in between. Steeped in the rich tradition that is Newfoundland, their unique brand of humor combined with the enthusiastic use of traditional instruments-spoons, beer bottles, combs, cardeen, guitar, harmonica, and the infamous :Ugly Stick”-will delight the very young and the young at heart. On site for the children will be face painting, kid’s rides, petting zoo and food booth. 1:00pm - Traditional May Pole dance performed by adults all of whom danced as children. It is not as easy as it looks. 2:00pm - Old Timers Soccer Game. Many of the players travel from all over British Columbia to return home to play in this game. It is a day of remembering times gone by with old friends and new. The teams are divided into two age groups under 40 and over 40. It’s not about winning the game it’s about old stories and having a few laughs.

MONDAY MAY 19TH

The Cumberland Centennial Rotary club is holding parade registration at 7:30am at the peace park. (Cumberland Road and Fourth Street). 7:00am -9:00am Pancake breakfast at the Cumberland Legion $4.00 per person. After the parade they will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs in front of the Legion for everyone to enjoy. 10:00 am -The Parade - from First Street down Dunsmuir Avenue to the Village Park. Leading the parade is honorary Parade Marshall Consul General Qiang Yang of China representing our sister city Putian This year the Cumberland Centennial Rotary club took on the responsibility of selecting the May Queen and her attendants. The crowing of May Queen elect Elizabeth Nesbit from retiring May Queen Melissa Windley. This year for the first time the Royston Elementary School has joined the Cumberland Elementary School in dancing the may pole under the direction of Louise Ellis (teacher). Pipe Bands attending this year are the Courtenay Legion Pipe Band, Sooke Band, Comox Valley Pipe Band Society, Campbell River Legion Pipe Band, R.C.M.P Pipe Band from Vancouver and a number of individual members joining in with existing bands. Entertainment on stage will be the twelve finalist of the Comox Valley Idol competition, with Susie McGregor as Master of Ceremonies. This is the first performance by the competitors. In the park we will have Kids Rides, Petting Zoo, Face Painting, Craft Booths, Food Vendors and much more.

JUNE

Annual Garden Tour June 14th

The Annual Garden Tour is hosted by the Cumberland Museum & Archives. Cumberland Gardeners open their gates to show visitors. Gardens are open from 10:00am to 3:00 pm. Tickets are $10.00 and are available at the Cumberland Museum.

Showcase Theatre Festival June 25th – July 21st

Be one of the first to see the World Premier of ‘Dancing in the Coal Dust,’ a new Musical celebrating the rich, multi-cultural history of Cumberland, BC, and the life and times of Albert “Ginger” Goodwin. Written and composed by David Warrack, this new work promises to bring Cumberland’s colourful history to life. “Out Town and “Hello Dolly” round out this exciting theatre season! www.showcasefestival.org

Miners Memorial Day June 28th

This day was conceived as a way to pay tribute to Cumberland's mining heritage which lasted from the turn of the century to the 1960's. June 27th---“Songs of the Workers” 7:30 pm, Pancake Breakfast hosted by the BCGEU, Saturday morning, 8:00-11:00 am, A Ginger Goodwin graveside service, guest speakers and entertainers begins at 1:00 pm, Cumberland Cemetery. The final event is a dinner, at 5:00 pm at the Cumberland Cultural Centre. For information contact the Cumberland Museum 336-2445.

BC Bike Race June 28th – July 4th

12 HOURS OF CUMBERLAND--- The Twelve Hours of Cumberland is a 12 hour mountain bike race/relay on the trails of Cumberland. Laps are shorter and faster this year at around 1/2 an hour for the average rider with the lap point being the # 6 Mine Park behind the Cumberland Recreation Centre. www.ridingfool.com

AUGUST

BIG TIME OUT – TBA

www.cumberlandvillageworks.com It was an event you won’t soon forget. Thousands came to join in the celebration as locals and guests alike celebrated three days of amazing music presented in the heart of the Historic Village of Cumberland last year. The Third Annual (2008) Big Time Out will feature international talent commonly performing in large urban venues.

SEPTEMBER

Historic Lemon Tea September 20th

MOMAR – Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race

OCTOBER

Halloween October 31st

NOVEMBER

November 11th – Lest We Forget

DECEMBER

Winter Faire November 29th

X-MAS Light Up! December 13th