Lake Cowichan

When the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it means that pageant season has finally arrived.

This weekend I travelled to Vancouver Island to take part in the Lake Cowichan Lady of the Lake pageant with my fellow B.C. Ambassadors.

We caught an afternoon ferry on Friday so we would have time to get ready for the gala that evening. The dress was formal as usual, and the ball was held in the Lake Cowichan community hall. The dinner was catered, and the hall was beautifully decorated.

Because it was an island pageant and most of the ambassador programs are in the Interior, only royalty from Nanaimo, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Ladysmith and Lytton got to enjoy the candidates’ fashion show, speeches and evening gown walk.

The retiring royalty said their goodbyes, the visiting royalty gave their speeches and program coordinators took countless photographs.

After the 5 hour event, we went back to the Nanaimo house we were staying at to get some sleep.

Saturday morning was the parade, and the three of us rode in style: a red covertible Mercedes thank you very much.

My girls and I unfortunately suffered some sunburns. Ever heard of a farmer’s tan? Well we each had a much dreaded sash-tan…

Lunch was next, and then the Lady of the Lake crowning. We then toodled around the town for a bit, checking out the Lake Days’ festivities and snapping photos.

After an off-duty barbecue and a relaxing night of pageantry talk, we took a morning ferry back to the mainland.

Luckily, I live about 40 minutes from the mainland ferry terminal. My two ambassadors had a bit of a longer drive home: Miranda lives in Vernon and Anna in Williams Lake, both in B.C.’s Interior.

The Cranbrook and Castlegar pageants are next in line, but my next trip will be to Osoyoos on June 30.

Pictures and info on the British Columbia Ambassador Program can be found at www.bcambassador.com.

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@HayleyWoodin