Located on the eastern shores of Vancouver Island, Parksville is a community located north of Nanaimo and east of Port Alberni. Together with the adjacent community of Qualicum Beach, Parksville makes up the bulk of the picturesque Oceanside Region of Vancouver Island, a region known for its beaches and family atmosphere. Parksville's bragging rights are centred on its waterfront, which offers some of the warmest ocean water in Canada as well as a 7.5 km (5 mi) uncrowded strip of sand. Parksville Beach Festival celebrates sand with a host of beach-related events, the highlight being a master status sandcastle competition. Although there are plenty of parks in and around Parksville (including the popular family destination of Rathtrevor Provincial Park), the community gets its name from the Parks family who were among the first settlers in the area. Today, recreational beachcombers, golfers, and fresh or saltwater anglers happily settle into the area for their vacation.