Cowichan Lake Days was first held on Labour Day in 1943, 54 years ago. It began as a picnic for the area’s children. Members of the Lake Cowichan IWA local organized the event and canvassed residents to help pay for food and prizes. The event was held in the field where the Smith Block is now located.
In 1944 a decorated bike competition was added and over the next few years logger sports were introduced. The first parade was held in 1945 and the first Lady of the Lake, Dolores Traer, was selected. The winner was not really selected, but was the contestant who sold the most tickets to the event. She was given the title of ‘Lumber Queen’.
Lake Days soon outgrew the field and was moved to the old school grounds (Lisa’s Fit Stop) to make use of the old Community Hall. In 1958 there appeared in the Lake News an ad asking for 50 men to complete the Centennial Park in time for that year’s Centennial celebration. They obviously found their volunteers and the work was completed. The event has been held at the park ever since.
In 1959 the Kiwanis Club received a franchise to participate in the PNE contest. In 1979 the first Lady of the Lake Ball was held at the Riverside Inn. The Lake Days Society was formed in 1987, the same year that the Boom Chain Toss was introduced. The 1st annual 10K run and the ultramarathon were first held in 1989.
Lake Days has seen many changes over the years. It has certainly seen every kind of weather known to man, from gale force winds to brilliant sunshine and more than its share of rain.
Previous Winners
1945 | Dolores Traer |
1946 | Delphine Williams |
1947 | Ruby Tasa |
1948 | Majorie Turner |
1949 | Carol Lipstack |
1950 | Gurdev Dley |
1951 | Shirley MacKenzie |
1952 | Doreen Towle |
1953 | Dorothy Peacock |
1954 | Irene Westwick |
1955 | Heather MacDonald |
1956 | Arlene Johnson |
1957 | Karen Ross |
1958 | Shirley Woodward |
1959 | Sharon Kidds |
1960 | Grace-Ann Malone |
1961 | Lois Weismiller |
1962 | Linda Neil |
1963 | Joanne Akiyama |
1964 | Linda Davies |
1965 | Susan Hildebrant |
1965 | Suzanne Castley |
1966 | Kirstin Palsson |
1967 | Sharon Berar |
1968 | Marilyn Nelson |
1969 | Julie Vanyo |
1969 | Marlene Denniger |
1970 | Susan Neva |
1971 | June Viczko |
1972 | Lynn Morrow |
1973 | Cathy Lamb |
1974 | Maureen Long |
1975 | Janet Peterson |
1976 | Shelly Scott |
1977 | Kelly Peterson |
1978 | Susan Hajdu |
1979 | Carla St. Cyr |
1980 | Pinder Rai |
1981 | Lisa Calleberg |
1982 | Cindy Thorpe |
1983 | Denise Carpentier |
1984 | Kim Baird |
1985 | Michele Peterson |
1986 | Robin Tapley |
1987 | Kirsten Nimmo |
1988 | Jolene Cook |
1989 | Julia Turner |
1990 | Connie Basso |
1991 | Selena Gough |
1992 | Rachel Hoole |
1993 | Nicole Bonenfant |
1994 | Bridget Walshe |
1995 | Brannon Nelson |
1996 | Shelby Sanders |
1997 | Paula Sohye |
1998 | Michelle Hartshorn |
1999 | Kristal McQuinn |
2000 | Tannis Wylie |
2001 | Masika Allan |
2002 | Tiffany Mailloux |
2003 | Amanda Nijar |
2004 | Jocelyn Lundberg |
2005 | Carli Feltrin |
2006 | Cassie Bell |
2007 | Jackie Johnson |
2008 | Randi Lundberg |
2009 | Sydney Rabey |
2010 | Bryanne Kitagawa |
2011 | Jorden Matson |
2012 | Alicia Fall |
2013 | Megan Berry |
2014 | Lauren Frost |
2015 | Crystal Bell |
2016 | Chailyn Vensel |
2017 | Desiree Karlsen |
2018 | Keely MacDonald |
2019 | Program in Hiatus |