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Island calendar of events
Friday, July 25th, 2008 by GetawayBC.com
From fine arts to fine wine, boat festivals to blues bashes – you’ll find it all on Vancouver Island, the perfect place to enjoy both world-class entertainment and local events that put you right in the middle of the community. Enjoy!
ONGOING
Saturdays through October – Moss Street Market, Victoria. Locally crafts and produce. Corner of Moss and Fairfield Sts. 361-1747, www.mossstreetmarket.com
Saturdays, through October – James Bay Market, Victoria, Crafts, food, entertainment, produce, etc. Corner of Superior and Menzies Sts, by Parliament Bldgs. 381-5323, www.jamesbaymarket.com
Thursday evenings through summer, Sidney Summer Market, downtown Sidney. 655-6433, www.sidney.ca
Saturdays, 9am to 2pm, Duncan Farmers’ Market, farm fresh goodies at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. 709-2379, www.duncanfarmersmarket.com
Fridays, 10am to 2pm, Through Thanksgiving, Farmers’ Market, Nanaimo at Pioneer Waterfront Plaza. www.nanaimofarmersmarket.com
Through October – Comox Valley Farmer’s Market, Sat. mornings at the Exhibition Grounds; June to September, Wed. mornings at Simms Millennium Park. www.comoxvalleyfarmersmarket.com
Sundays through October, Pier Street Farmer’s Market, Campbell River, Discovery Pier parking lot. www.pierstreet.com
May – Sept. – Totem Tours, Downtown Duncan. www.downtownduncan.ca
May 6 – Aug. 6 – St. Ann’s Academy 150th Anniversary Celebrations, 953-8820, www.friendsofstannsacademy.com
May 17 – October – Errington Farmers’ Market, Saturday mornings, Errington Road behind Memorial Hall.
May 30 – Aug. 24 – Warhol: larger than Life, at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, 384-4101, www.aggv.bc.ca
June – August, Historical Field Trips, Museum at Campbell River, 287-3103. www.crmuseum.ca
June 27 – Aug. 31 – Bard To Broadway Summer Theatre, Qualicum Beach, 752-6813. www.b2btheatre.bc.ca
June 25 – July 21 – Showcase Theatre Festival, Cumberland. Dancing in the Coal Dust, Our Town & Hello Dolly. www.showcasefestival.org
July & August – Summer Programs, daily at the Museum at Campbell River, 287-3103. www.crmuseum.ca
Tuesdays, July 1 – Aug. 26, Parksville Street Market, 248-3613 – Evening market with vendors and entertainment; Craig Street, 6 to 9 p.m.
MAY
May 1 to 10 – Rhododendron Days at Milner Gardens, Qualicum Beach, 752-6153. www.milnergardens.org
May 2 – 4 – Cowichan Bay Classic Boat Festival, 746-4955, www.classicboats.org
May 3 – 12, Mozart Festival, Victoria – Victoria Symphony hosts a concert series, 385-6515.
May 3 – 15th Annual Fire & Ice Street Festival, Qualicum Beach. Ice carving, chili and more. www.fireandicefestival.net
May 10 & 11 – Vancouver Island Paddlefest, Ladysmith. Celebration of West Coast paddle sports. www.ladysmithcofc.com
May 10, 11 – Mt. Arrowsmith Rhododendron Society Garden Tour, 752-5997. 12 beautiful Parksville and Qualicum Beach gardens, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets $10 from area garden centres.
May 11 – Mother’s Day special events at the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, Duncan. 1-866-715-1113.
May 16 – 18 – Lake Cowichan Heritage Days. 749-3136, http://visit.cowichan.net/events
May 16 – 18, Empire Days, Nanaimo, www.nanaimoempiredays.com – parade, entertainment, kids’ activities, fireworks and more.
May 16 to 18 – Square Dance Weekend, Thunderbird Hall, Campbell River. 923-3953.
May 17 & 18 – Celtic Festival and Highland Games, 598-0120, www.victoriahighlandgames.com
May 17 & 18, Fort Rodd Hill Historic Military Encampment, Victoria, 478-5849 – Living history at this National Historic Site.
May 17, Highland Games, Courtenay, Lewis Park. www.cvhg.org
May 17 – 19, Art & Bloom Festival, Comox Valley’s Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, 338-6901, www.woodlandgardens.ca
May 17 – 19, Cumberland Empire Days, Comox Valley. Family events, parade and more. 336-8313 www.cumberlandbc.org
May 18 – Museum at Campbell River’s 50th anniversary Lawn Party. 287-3103.
May 19, Island Farms Victoria Day Parade, Victoria – The city’s largest parade event.
May 21 – June 1, Uno Festival of Solo Performance, Victoria, 383-2663, www.intrepidtheatre.com
May 24 – 26, Swiftsure International Yacht Race, Victoria, 592-9098 – Annual race plus land-based family fun. www.swiftsure.org
May 24, Multicultural Festival, Nanaimo, 247-9935 – Old City Quarter, downtown. www.nanaimodowntown.com
JUNE
June 1, Cowichan Valley Garden Tour, 1-888-303-3337. www.visit.cowichan.net
June 2 – 8, Lake Days, Lake Cowichan, 1-888-303-3337. www.visit.cowichan.net
June 7 & 8 – Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association’s Outdoor Recreation Show on Comox Lake, 338-8506, www3.telus.net/courtenayfishandgame
June 6 – 8 – Floating Boat & Marine Trade Show, Nanaimo. 754-5053, www.npa.ca
June 7 & 8 – Oak Bay Tea Party, Victoria. Midway, parade, games, and activities along the beach. www.oakbayteaparty.com
June 7 – Oceans Day at Campbell River’s Maritime Heritage Centre, Museum at Campbell River and Discovery Marina.
June 7, 8 – Quadra Island Studio Tour, 285-3101. Forty studios/galleries plus community centre exhibit.
June 8, Edge to Edge Marathon, Half-Marathon & Relay, Ucluelet. www.edgetoedgemarathon.com
June 13 to 15, Father’s Day Seaside Cruisers Show & Shine, Qualicum Beach, 248-1015.
June 14 – Ladysmith Maritime Festival. www.ladysmithmaritimesociety.ca
June 15, Father’s Day Ceilidh in Cameron Bandshell, Beacon Hill Park, Victoria. 361-0358.
June 15 – Father’s Day Tractor Show, B.C. Forestry Museum, Duncan. 1-866-715-1113
June 20 – 29, Jazzfest International, Victoria, 388-4423.
June 20 – 22 – Pow Wow, Comox Valley. Native American dancers and singers, cultural traditions and crafts. 336-8313.
June 25 to 29 – Transformations on the Shore, Campbell River’s Frank James Park, 923-5845. Wood-carving contest.
June 26 – 29 – Victoria Tall Ships Festival 2008 in the Inner Harbour. www.tallshipsvictoria.ca
June 28 – Miners’ Memorial Day, Cumberland. 336-8313.
JULY
July 1, Canada Day at Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site, Victoria, 478-5849, www.pc.gc.ca/fortroddhill
July 1, Canada Day Victoria, 6 to 10 p.m. in the Inner Harbour. 385-5711.
July 1, Canada Day in Sooke – Entertainment, sports and fireworks at 2259 Philips Rd., 642-4572. www.canadadaysooke.ca
July 1, Canada Day, Ladysmith – Family-oriented fun at Transfer Beach. 245-6424, www.ladysmith.ca
July 1, Canada Day, Nanaimo – Muffeo Sutton Park. 754-4251, www.nanaimo.ca
July 1, Canada Day & Children’s Festival, Campbell River – Activities and entertainment at various locations, 287-4636. www.crsalmonfestival.com
July 1 – 31 – Comox Valley Youth Music Centre Festival, 338-7463 – Students and faculty from around the world are featured in jazz, classical and musical theatre. www.cymc.ca
July 4 to 13 – Visions Art Studio Tour of Cowichan Valley artists’ studios. www.visionsarttour.ca
July 4- 12 – Theatre BC’s MAINSTAGE Festival, Nanaimo. 714-0203, www.theatrebc.org
July 5, 6 – Campbell River Garden Tour, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 287-2261.
July 9 – 12 – Ska Festival, Victoria, www.victoriaskafest.ca
July 11 & 12 – Port Alberni Tall Ships Festival in the harbour. www.portalbernitallships.ca
July 11 – 13 – Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival. Competition and activities at Maffeo Sutton Park. www.nanaimodragonboat.com
July 11 – 13 – Vancouver Island MusicFest, Courtenay, 336-7929 – Music, food, camping, CV Exhibition Grounds. www.islandmusicfest.com
July 13 – 19 – Duncan Summer Festival. www.downtownduncan.ca
July 13 – Alberni Forest Fest, Port Alberni, 723-1376 – McLean Mill National Historic Site celebration of West Coast logging with steam train, entertainment, logger sports and more. www.alberniheritage.com
July 19, Moss Street Paint-In, Victoria, 384-4101 – The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s annual outdoor art extravaganza. www.aggv.bc.ca
July 19 & 20, Annual Coombs Rodeo, Coombs Rodeo Grounds, near Parksville. 248-1009.
July 19 to 20 – Art and Photography in the Garden, Milner Gardens & Woodland, Qualicum, 752-6153. www.milnergardens.org
July 20 – Silly Boat Regatta, Nanaimo. Swy-A-Lana Park. 753-0251, www.sillyboat.com
July 22 to 27 – Showcase Theatre Festival, Campbell River’s Tidemark Theatre, 898-8399. www.showcasefestival.org
July 24 – 27 – Nanaimo Marine Festival & World Championship Bathtub Race, 753-7223 – Parade, fireworks, events and bathtub race. www.bathtubbing.com
July 25 – 27 – Islands Folk Festival, Duncan, 748-3975, www.folkfest.bc.ca
July 25 – 27 – Ukee Days, Ucluelet. Events all weekend. www.ucluelet.ca
July 26, Luminara Festival, Victoria. Evening lantern Festival in Beacon Hill Park & St. Ann’s Academy. 388-4728, www.luminaravictoria.com
July 26 – Grand Prix d’Art, Qualicum Beach, 752-6133. Artists compete against the clock to create local scenes.
July 31 – Aug. 8, Hornby Island Festival, 335-2734 – Music, dance, theatre. www.hornbyfestival.bc.ca
AUGUST
Aug. 1 – 5 – Honeymoon Bay Days
Aug. 1 – 3 – Coombs Country Bluegrass Festival, Coombs Rodeo Grounds, 752-5096.
Aug. 1 – 4, Filberg Festival, Comox, 334-9242 – Arts & crafts, entertainment. No pets. www.filbergfestival.com See ad page 35.
Aug. 2, Strongman Competition, Ladysmith. www.visit.cowichan.net
Aug. 2 – Kids Dock Derby, French Creek Marina, Parksville, 752-4221. Fun family event.
Aug. 2 to 10 – North American Indigenous Games, the Cowichan Valley.
Aug. 2 & 3 – Ladysmith Days. Parade, entertainment, fireworks and more. www.ladysmithcofc.com
Aug. 2 – 4, Comox Nautical Days, 338-1120 – Family events, parade, fireworks and more. www.comoxnauticaldays.bc.ca
Aug. 3 – Annual Oceanside Overdrive Car Show, Parksville Community Park. More than 800 trucks, cars, hotrods, etc. 752-5565.
Aug. 3, Symphony Splash, Victoria – Victoria Symphony in the Inner Harbour, 385-9771.
Aug. 4, BC 150 Celebration, Victoria. Marking the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Crown Colony of BC, Inner Harbour. www.bc150.gov.bc.ca
Aug. 4 – B.C. Day/Kids Day at B.C. Forestry Centre, Duncan. 1-866-715-1113
Aug. 8 – 10 – 150 Years in Golden Mountain Celebrations, Victoria. Marking 150 year anniversary of Chinatown with pageant, parade, Lion Dance and more. www.150goldenmountain.ca
Aug. 8 – Sept. 1 – Parksville Beach Festival. Family beach fun incl. sand sculpting (Aug. 8 to 10).
Aug. 8 – 10 – North Island Logger Sports, Campbell River’s Nunns Creek Park. www.crsalmonfestival.com
Aug. 9, Symphony in the Harbour, Nanaimo, 754-0177 – Free Vancouver Island Symphony concert in Maffeo Suttan Park. www.viso.bc.ca
Aug. 9 & 10 – Coombs Fair, Animals, horticulture displays, music, and more. 752-9757, www.coombsfair.com
Aug. 16 – OrcaFest, Port McNeill. Parade. family events and more. 956-3131.
Aug. 15 – 17 – Vancouver Island Exhibition, Nanaimo, 758-3247 – Agricultural and livestock exhibition, music, carnival and more in Beban Park. www.viex.ca
Aug. 15 – 24 – Summertime Blues Festival, Nanaimo, Concerts at Harbourfront Plaza and the Blues Underground. www.nanaimoblues.com
Aug. 15 – 17 – Victoria Dragon Boat Festival – Inner Harbour, 704-2500, www.victoriadragonboat.com
Aug. 16 – Festival of Lights, Parksville Community Park. World-class fireworks show to kick-off Kidsfest.
Aug. 17 – Kidfest, Parksville Beach, 954-1189. Sandcastles, entertainers and more. www.kidfest.ca
Aug. 17 – Jazz in the Garden, Milner Gardens, Qualicum Beach, 752-6153. www.milnergardens.org
Aug. 17 – Discovery Passage Boat Rodeo, Campbell River, 286-3161 – Water sport and boating events at Foreshore Park.
Aug. 21 – 31 – Victoria Fringe Festival, 383-2663, www.intrepidtheatre.com – Alternative theatre.
Aug. 23, Ladysmith Show ‘N Shine. www.visit.cowichan.net
Aug. 23 & 24 – Comox Valley Exhibition Fall Fair, Exhibition Grounds, Courtenay, 338-8177. www.cvexhibition.com
Aug. 24 – Arts on the Avenue, Ladysmith. www.visit.cowichan.net
Aug. 29 – 31 – Victoria Classic Boat Festival, Classic sail and power vessels in the Inner Harbour, 385-7766, www.classicboatfestival.ca
Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, Vancouver Island Blues Bash, Victoria. Inner Harbour & various venues, 388-4423, www.vicjazz.bc.ca
Aug. 29 – 31 – Honeymoon Bay Blackberry Festival. www.visit.cowichan.net
Aug. 29 – Sept. 1 – Port Alberni Salmon Fest, Clutesi Haven Marina. Fishing, foods and entertainment. www.pasalmonfest.com
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 – Saanich Fair, Victoria. Farm exhibits, kids’ events, entertianment, midway, etc., Saanich Fairgrounds. 652-3314, www.saanichfair.ca
Aug. 30 – Sept. 1 – Kitty Coleman Artisans’ Festival, Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, Courtenay. 339-6901, www.woodlandgardens.ca
SEPTEMBER
Sept. 1 – Labour Day Celebration, BC Forest Discovery Centre, 715-1113.
Sept. 1 – North Island Cruisers Car Club Car Show, downtown Campbell River.
Sept. 4 – 7 – Alberni District Fall Fair, Port Alberni fairgrounds – Logger sports, agriculture, midway. www.albernifair.com
Sept. 6, Comox Valley KidsFest, Lewis Park, Courtenay, 1-888-357-4471 – Entertainment, food, fun activities for kids of all ages.
Sept. 13 & 14 – Tofino Art in the Gardens, Tofino Botanical Gardens. 726-7755. www.tbgf.org
Sept. 24 to 28 – Qualicum Beach Harvest of Music. Music, workshops, concerts at Old School House Arts Centre and Civic Centre.
Sept. 28 – Haig-Brown Festival & Rivers Day, noon to 4 p.m. in Campbell River, 287-3103.
The area code for all phone numbers listed in this publication is (250) unless otherwise indicated.