Times Colonist

2018 PROMISES TO BE Another Epic Year IN SIDNEY

- BY SUSAN SIMOSKO PRESIDENT, SIDNEY BUSINESS IMPROVEMEN­T AREA SOCIETY

H appy New Year and all good wishes to you and yours for a healthy, happy and peaceful 2018. On behalf of the entire Sidney business community, I want to thank you for shopping locally, enjoying the many Sidney-based holiday events and activities in December, and having fun with our newly-introduced scratch and win campaign, “Win a Little Magic.” Whether you won a great gift certificat­e, a cup of coffee, a tasty treat or nothing at all, we appreciate­d your enthusiasm and the positive feedback.

A very special thank you to the many participat­ing merchants who so generously donated 1000 prizes. The campaign was a great success and we look forward to repeating it next year with a few tweaks to make it even more fun. Many thanks to all for a great holiday season in Sidney.

Looking ahead, 2018 promises to be another fun, family-friendly year. Here are just a few of the events and activities that are coming up. Start marking your calendars now – it’s going to be quite a year.

In February, enjoy the annual Sidney Family Day Lego Brick Festival and outstandin­g Victoria Film Festival at Star Cinema. Easy parking and great movies all on tap!

March brings the Bazan Bay 5k race and the always inspiring Spring Art Show sponsored by the Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society (SPAC).

May offers two new and exciting events: the B.C. Boat Show at the Port Sidney Marina, and the National Championsh­ips for Stand-up Paddle Boarding. The latter will attract athletes from around the world and is scheduled to become an Olympic event in 2024. We are particular­ly pleased to host this event now and hopefully into the future.

June is going to be a very busy month. The Sidney Street Market, Dinner en Rouge, World Oceans Day, Taking it to the Streets, Access Awareness, Comic Con and the Spring Studio Tour are all on – there will be something for everybody.

July brings Sidney Days, multiple Canada Day celebratio­ns, the Sidney Sidewalk Sale & Street Festival, Sculpture by the Sea (a new celebratio­n of art, full of opportunit­ies and surprises), and of course, Summer Sounds, Sidney’s free (by donation) Sunday afternoon concert series.

In August, look for the Torque Masters Car Show Extravagan­za, the Salish Sea Lantern Festival and the First Nations, Inuit and Metis Art Show.

September celebrates the athleticis­m of local runners with the Sidney Seaside 5k and 10k fun run and walk.

October will be another wonderfull­y full month. Catch the Bufflehead Festival, the Sidney Fine Art Show, ArtSea Festival, Fall Studio Tour and Treat Street – a safe and fun way to celebrate Halloween with all the kids in your life.

November offers the annual tribute to service men and women in Sidney’s Tribute to the Armed Forces exhibit.

December brings Christmas in Sidney and the New Years’ Eve Gala at the Mary Winspear Centre.

It’s all going to happen – these events and more! Check out the Events at distinctly­sidney.ca for details, and if you’d like to become a Sidney volunteer at one or more event, just drop us a line at: info@distinctly­sidney.ca and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Start marking your calendars now – it’s going to be quite a year!

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 ??  ?? Performanc­es at Mary Winspear Centre.
Performanc­es at Mary Winspear Centre.
 ??  ?? Sidney Fish Market and Pier.
Sidney Fish Market and Pier.
 ??  ?? Sidney’s picturesqu­e waterfront.
Sidney’s picturesqu­e waterfront.

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