SIDNEY CELEBRATES CANADA'S 150TH

The coastal community of Sidney by the Sea will be celebrating the 150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation throughout 2017. The Canada 150 Celebrations will provide even more of a reason to stop in Sidney and spend a few days (or more) on your tour of the Gulf or San Juan Islands. A full listing of events and initiatives can be found at www.sidneycelebrates.sidney.ca but a brief overview includes:

May & June: Comic Book Superheroes Festival – special exhibit at the Sidney Museum, Vancouver Island Comic Con (June 10th) and outdoor screening of “Big Hero 6”, Superhero movies at the Star Cinema and guest speaker at the Sidney Library June 24: Paint the Town Red & White Street Party

June 25: Children’s Carnival (afternoon), Dinner en Rouge (evening)

June 29: Sidney Street Market

June 30: Cultural Performances in Beacon Park, Fireworks on the waterfront accompanied by Sidney Concert Band, “To Canada With Love” Traveling Pavilion

July 1: Canada Day Parade, kids fun festival, Slegg Build-a-boat Race

July 2: Grand Opening of Sidney Skatepark, downtown merchants Sidewalk Sale

Some of the other regular events during the year include the outdoor Summer Sounds Concert series that runs every Sunday in July and August in Beacon Park. In August, car lovers are in town for the Coast Capital Auto Extravaganza Car Show that attracts over 10,000 people. The Annual Lego Festival takes place on the Family Day weekend in February, and there is no place like Sidney for Christmas; carriage rides, carollers, lights and the Sidney Sparkles Santa Parade top off the year. As well, one of the highlights of the summer is the Sidney Street Market that runs every Thursday night from mid-may to the end of August (www.sidneystreetmarket.com). This outdoor market closes Sidney’s main street to vehicle traffic and transforms it into the most popular market on the Island, featuring over 150 vendors and attracting up to 5,000 people a night. You will find everything from fresh grown produce, craft beer, home baked breads and sweets, jewellery, a variety of artwork, clothing, food, music and many other unique and interesting surprises. Many of

the local shops, restaurants and bistros lining Beacon Avenue are also open.

Other local attractions include The Tulista Art Gallery, the Sidney Museum and the Mary Winspear Centre with a captivating First Nations Art Exhibit and regular performances by popular acts. Along the waterfront is the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, a year-round aquarium and cultural centre focused on the amazing ecosystem and heritage of the Salish Sea.

The Town of Sidney has a population of approximately 11,500 and has everything you need to replenish supplies. The welcoming, pedestrian and bike friendly town offers kilometres of waterfront walkways, nearby wild islands and beaches to explore, well-manicured parks, funky coffee shops and book stores, a wide variety of restaurants, and a vibrant, boutique, shopping district. With a sub-mediterranean climate of warm, sunny summers and moderate, rainy winters, Sidney is a year ‘round destination for fishing, boating, kayaking, bird watching, whale watching, hiking, diving or just relaxing.

As the gateway to Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands National Park, Sidney Spit Island and the San Juan Islands, Sidney is only a 35-minute drive to historic, downtown Victoria and 15 minutes to the world famous Butchart Gardens. Sidney is also a transportation hub; it is an easy ten-minute drive to Victoria International Airport and the BC Ferries Terminal while the Sidney International Ferry Terminal to Anacortes Washington is within the town. Bus service to and from Victoria and to the Ferry Terminal and Airport is excellent and dependable.

Bevan Pier, a 107 m (350 ft) dock, popular for fishing and crabbing, is situated along Sidney’s panoramic waterfront. The pier is bordered by an artificial reef that attracts marine life and offers excellent diving opportunities.

Boating traffic is accommodated by two, full service marinas that provide long and short-term moorage options within short walking distance to Sidney’s downtown. The town can accommodate any supply needs from groceries to hardware and provides excellent accommodation options ranging from charming B & B’s to a luxury, waterfront hotel and spa. Port Sidney Marina 1-250-655-3711 9835 Seaport Place Sidney, BC V8L 4X3 www.portsidney.com • Located next to the downtown core

where all major amenities are available

• Canada Customs port of entry

• Showers & restrooms

• Power

• Pump Out

• Potable Water

• Lounge Area

• Laundry Facilities

• Internet Access

• Cable Access

• Pet Area

• Garbage Disposal & Recycling

• Yacht Sales

• Yacht Charters & Boating Courses

Van Isle Marina 1-250-656-1138 2320 Harbour Road Sidney, BC V8L 2P6 info@vanislemarina.com www.vanislemarina.com

• Close to downtown Sidney Shopping and

services

• Canada Customs Port of Entry:

1-888-CANPASS

• Fuel Dock

• Marine Store

• Moorage – annual, monthly & nightly

• Electricity

• Maintenance & Storage Facility

• Yacht Detailing: Cleaning, Waxing, Provisioning & Concierge

• Holding Tank Pump-out

• Restaurant: Sea Glass Waterfront Grill

www.seaglasswaterfrontgrill.ca

• Showers, Washrooms, Laundromat

• Storage lockers

• Car parking

• Launching ramp

• Garbage & recycling service

• Dog walk

• Grocery store

• Telephone/cablevision

• Free Wi-fi

• Business Centre

• Mail service