Nanaimo’s iconic Bastion opens with a bang on Friday, May 19. Members of the public are invited to watch the firing and view the history exhibits inside the Bastion.
The cannon firing and operation of the Bastion are made possible with support from the City of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Port Authority and Tourism Nanaimo. “Our sponsors make it possible open the Bastion and fire the cannon all summer,” says Debbie Trueman, General Manager of the Nanaimo Museum. “We appreciate the support they have given us for many years to share Nanaimo’s heritage with the community and tourists.”
The Bastion will be open 7 days per week from May long weekend to Labour Day weekend. Exhibits including artifacts and photos from the building’s 164 year history are open to the public. Admission is by donation.
The historic cannon will fire daily from May long weekend through Labour Day weekend. “Community support for the cannon firings has turned them into an attraction over the last three decades,” says Aimee Greenaway, Interpretation Curator at the Nanaimo Museum. Thousands of visitors watch the cannon firing ceremony every summer on the plaza adjacent to the Bastion. On Thursdays and Saturdays in July and August only the cannon firing ceremony will feature Highland dance performances by youth from the Brigadoon Dance Academy.
The Bastion is open daily 10:00-4:00 from May 19 to Labour Day. The cannon firing re-enactment ceremony takes place from 11:45-12:00 daily.
The Bastion is located downtown on Front Street.
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