Rethinking Drinking at the 55+ BC Games in Nanaimo
At this year’s 55+ BC Games the Nanaimo Foundation, in partnership with Vancouver Island University (VIU), Longwood Brewing, and Phillips Brewing hosted engagement events designed to spark dialogue, share knowledge, and model more inclusive ways to connect socially.
Over 2,500 athletes and community members passed through the Games Village, where the Nanaimo Foundation team ran a spin-the-wheel trivia game with local history questions and mocktail rewards. The activity provided a low-pressure, engaging way to start conversations about alcohol use disorder (AUD), with the goal of raising awareness and reducing stigma. Over 200 people left with a mocktail recipe card created by VIU’s Hospitality Department – complete with AUD facts and QR codes linking to further resources.
The closing Volunteer Appreciation Night provided another meaningful touchpoint. Nanaimo Foundation Action Team members served canned mocktails alongside prominent “ReThinking Drinking” signage. For 45 minutes, the lineup never slowed. Volunteers shared their appreciation, noting how rare – and refreshing – it is to see non-alcoholic options celebrated at community events. “People kept saying it felt good to have a choice,” one volunteer observed. “It made the space feel more welcoming for everyone.”
The event showed the power of collaboration, and having breweries involved proved that cultural change can happen even within the very spaces where drinking has traditionally been the norm. The message was clear: social connection, relaxation, and celebration don’t have to rely on alcohol.
Participants shared personal stories that reflected shifting norms. One senior remarked that at a recent family reunion, most people chose mocktails and non-alcoholic beer – and the group “had just as much fun, if not more.” A younger volunteer said she was two years sober and often feels left out at events, but “seeing this table made me feel seen.”
The focus was especially relevant for the 55+ demographic, who statistically face higher levels of alcohol consumption and related health risks. At an event centred on activity and vitality, promoting mindful drinking was as much about supporting people in feeling their best and staying energized as it was about AUD awareness. For many, choosing to drink less – or not at all – is not about addiction, but a conscious choice that complements an active, engaged lifestyle well into later adulthood.
These moments point to a broader shift: people are increasingly willing to talk about alcohol, reconsider old habits, and support one another in making choices that suit their own health and well-being. Ultimately, the events show that celebration, connection, and enjoyment don’t have to hinge on alcohol – there’s more than one way to raise a glass.