121st Cumberland Empire Days Celebrations presented by the Empire Events Society
Saturday May 9 - Monday May 18, 2009

Empire Days are one of the longest running community events in B.C. and are a proud tradition in the life of Cumberland and the Comox Valley!

The first recorded Empire Days Celebration was held on Saturday, May 23rd, 1891. This event was held to help celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday and was named for Queen Victoria and her British Empire.

The 1891 celebration consisted of sporting events for everyone including foot, boat and wheelbarrow races, long jump, high jump, putting the stone, and tossing the caber. There were and still are many musical acts and performances by local performers.

In approximately 1916, a parade was added to the celebrations. Today, regular events include the May Queen’s public dinner and dance, Village Market Day, Highland dancing performances, fashion show, and visits by regional pipe bands.

This year marks the 121st Empire Days - some highlights for this year's celebrations include:

Saturday May 9- Cinch at the CRI Hall. Doors at 6:30 – Games at 7pm. $5

Tuesday May 12- Cumberland Legion Bingo Doors at 6pm- Games start at 7pm.

Wednesday May 13 – Fashion Show at CRI Doors at 6pm. Show starts 7pm. $5 tickets available at General Store/Gas n' Go in Cumberland

Friday May 15 - Movie night at the Cultural Centre - times and shows TBA

May 16 &17 10am-4pm, May 18 – 10am-2pm Local artists on display throughout the weekend at the Cultural Ctr. .

Saturday May 16, 9am-4pm
Village Market Day sponsored by the Cumberland Chamber on Dunsmuir Ave & in Village Square
9am - Kicking off with Pancake Breakfast. 10am-4pm - Street Vendors On Dunsmuir and Kids Craft & Activity Zone in Village Square.

Watch for food & beverage specials in local restaurants & pubs. Live entertainment in Village Square & dancing on the street! More details to come.

- 10am Empire Events Soap Box Derby for kids at First & Dunsmuir (Free entry!)
- 10am-4pm - Empire Events Society hosting local artist exhibit, Cultural Ctr upper floor
- 10am-4pm Schoolhouse Quilters Sale & Tea - Lower Cultural Centre(OAP)
- 10am Museum Fundraising Booksale on Cumberland Museum grounds, & Cumberland Community Forest Society Plant Sale Derwent & 3rd
- 10am-3pm Cumberland Fire Rescue Open House & garage sale
- 1pm - Art Kart Derby at 1st & Dunsmuir - Mayworks sponsored creative go-kart race for adults.
- Velvet & Kuba Oms all ages concert (with refreshments available!) at the CRI. Doors open 8pm . Presented by Cumberland Village Works & Empire Events Society. Advance tix $15 at Bop City & Tarbells. Tickets at door $20. Kids under 12 are free.

Sunday May 17 in Village Park - Empire Events Society presents Bavarian Garden from 12pm-5pm, Live entertainment on stage, Legends of the Maypole at 1pm, Old Time Soccer Game at 2pm, Soccer Dinner at the CRI at 5:30pm - tix $10

Monday May 18 - Pancake Breakfast followed by parade on Dunsmuir at 10am, then crowning of the May Queen in Village Park. Entertainment on stage 12:30-4:30. 1pm - games & activities for kids in Village Park.

For information on any of the events above - please call the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce 250 336-8313

Street vending spaces are still available for Village Market Day! Call or email for registration information cumbchamshaw.ca