Celebrations throughout the region
Not fond of big crowds or travelling downtown to celebrate Canada Day? These grassroots community events will be sure to put a smile on your face, a national anthem on your lips and food in your belly on Sunday:
• The Gorge Canada Day Picnic celebrates its 20th birthday with a community get-together that includes a pancake breakfast, strawberry tea, entertainment and canoe rides.
The day starts with a pancake breakfast and a family parade with children riding their decorated bicycles along Gorge Road, which will be closed to traffic between Admirals and Tillicum roads. Children will take over the blacktop instead, with road hockey, soccer and an inflatable amusement.
There will be four stages. Take in professional musicians on the main stage or perhaps hear a neighbour play in the busker’s corner. A family theatre will feature Theatre SKAM, Morris dancers and clowns. The Gorge on Art Stage features Daniel Oliver Francis and friends.
Artisans will be on hand with their wares and a collection of classic and vintage cars will be found at the Show and Shine Show. Foodies can sample offerings from almost 30 vendors.
Line up early for the very popular traditional Strawberry Tea. Served in the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club building, the tea features strawberries on cake served with a choice of tea, coffee or juice. It is only $3 and runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. But come early, as it always sells out.
The event is free and runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Gorge Road between Admirals and Tillicum roads. There is no parking and no vehicle traffic during the event. Details available at gorgecanadaday.ca.
• One day just isn’t enough to celebrate Canada’s birthday — Sidney has turned it into Sidney Days and Canada Day, four days of music, food, dancing and, of course, fireworks, from Friday to Tuesday.
Events kick off Friday with Dinner in Rouge, at which diners wear red and white outfits for a seaside dinner.
Saturday promises cultural performances, a formal opening ceremony, music and fireworks set to music at 10:15 p.m.
On Canada Day, people can tuck into a pancake breakfast, watch a parade, take in a family fun fair or observe the build-aboat race. The celebrations wrap up on Monday, when Beacon Avenue is closed to traffic for a Sidewalk Sale and Street Festival by area businesses.
Activities Saturday to Monday are free and take place at Iroquois Park, Ocean Avenue and Beacon Avenue. For more information, go to sidney.ca.
• Take a bite out of Canada Day’s biggest birthday cake at the Canada Day Celebrations at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites on Sunday.
Canada Day is the only day of the year admission is free to the national historic site in Colwood.
Celebrations include live music and activities for children.
Visitors can explore the 155-year-old Fisgard Lighthouse, Canteen, Belmont and Lower Batteries, the Fortress Plotting Room or other historic buildings on the property from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The site is at 603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd. For more details, go to fortroddhill.com/index.html.