Community

Their drummer encouraging them to work hard to the finish, a team’s paddlers crank their way to victory during last year’s Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. Spectators line both sides of the Inner Harbour to watch the event, which also includes many land-based activities at Ship Point. Don Descoteau/Monday Magazine

FIRE AND FURY: Dragon boats heat up the Inner Harbour

24th annual festival Aug. 10-12 sees paddlers do battle in a busy Victoria waterway

  • Jul 31, 2018
Their drummer encouraging them to work hard to the finish, a team’s paddlers crank their way to victory during last year’s Victoria Dragon Boat Festival. Spectators line both sides of the Inner Harbour to watch the event, which also includes many land-based activities at Ship Point. Don Descoteau/Monday Magazine
Golfers line up at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort before playng in the 13th annual BC Ferries Media Charity Golf Classic, a fundraiser this year benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria. The event raised $50,000 for the cause. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Ferries golf tournament raises $50G for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria

Local non-profit’s mentoring programs to be boosted with influx of cash

Golfers line up at the Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort before playng in the 13th annual BC Ferries Media Charity Golf Classic, a fundraiser this year benefitting Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Victoria. The event raised $50,000 for the cause. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Vintage cars will be on display in Fernwood Square on Saturdays for the rest of August. Photo courtesy Joey Scarfone

Classic cars will jazz up Saturdays this month in Fernwood

Vintage Cars in the Square to run through Aug. 25

Vintage cars will be on display in Fernwood Square on Saturdays for the rest of August. Photo courtesy Joey Scarfone
5 things to see in Greater Victoria this weekend

5 things to see in Greater Victoria this weekend

Hot cars, cool dogs, music, art and street hockey all on the agenda

  • Jul 27, 2018
5 things to see in Greater Victoria this weekend
A hearty community pancake breakfast made with local ingredients is part of the North Saanich Flavour Trail, happening Aug. 17-19 at 21 different venues around the area. Flavour Trails/Facebook

North Saanich Flavour Trail Festival returns for 11th year

Farm-fresh food, wine from the source and more in store on 21-venue tour

  • Jul 26, 2018
A hearty community pancake breakfast made with local ingredients is part of the North Saanich Flavour Trail, happening Aug. 17-19 at 21 different venues around the area. Flavour Trails/Facebook
A social time combined with the goodness of locally produced food and beverages is what FarmFolk CityFolk’s Feast of Fields is all about. (Bright Photography)

North Saanich’s Kildara Farms part of annual Feast of Fields

Island organic farm among three sites hosting events across B.C.

  • Jul 26, 2018
A social time combined with the goodness of locally produced food and beverages is what FarmFolk CityFolk’s Feast of Fields is all about. (Bright Photography)
Victoria artist Craig Bauer works on a piece inspired by Chesterman Beach in Tofino at the 30th annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In. Hundreds of artists, musicians and vendors took part in the popular one-day event. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)

Five fun things to do this weekend

From a paint in to festivals, there are lots of fun events taking place this weekend

  • Jul 20, 2018
Victoria artist Craig Bauer works on a piece inspired by Chesterman Beach in Tofino at the 30th annual TD Art Gallery Paint-In. Hundreds of artists, musicians and vendors took part in the popular one-day event. (Don Descoteau/Black Press Media)
Midway rides are back at this year’s 149th Saanich Fair. (Steven Heywood/News staff file)

Saanich Fair: An idea is born

The attaining of a 150th year anniversary is a notable event in…

  • Jul 18, 2018
Midway rides are back at this year’s 149th Saanich Fair. (Steven Heywood/News staff file)
Friends and colleagues of Greater Victoria philanthropist and arts patron Eric Charman began a bursary fund in his name last year for students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The goal is to see the fund grow to $1 million by Charman’s 90th birthday in 2022. Photo by Hugo Wong

Charman’s name will live on through Victoria Conservatory of Music bursary fund

Iconic arts patron Eric Charman thrilled to see financial assistance fund growing

Friends and colleagues of Greater Victoria philanthropist and arts patron Eric Charman began a bursary fund in his name last year for students at the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The goal is to see the fund grow to $1 million by Charman’s 90th birthday in 2022. Photo by Hugo Wong
Additional buses added for Rock the Shores

Additional buses added for Rock the Shores

Colwood Transit Exchange closed at night, passengers directed to Island Highway instead

Additional buses added for Rock the Shores
NEW FESTIVAL: Vegans of Victoria unite

NEW FESTIVAL: Vegans of Victoria unite

First ever Vegtoria features all things vegan, July 21 in Centennial Square

  • Jul 10, 2018
NEW FESTIVAL: Vegans of Victoria unite
Victoria scratch ticket winner Angella Gordon-Spence was thrilled to receive confirmation recently of her Set for Life total prize of $675,000. She bought the ticket at an outlet in the Hillside Shopping Centre. Photo courtesy BC Lottery Corporation

Victoria lotto winner looking forward to Mexican holiday with family

Angella Gordon-Spence won weekly $1,000 payday for 25 years on Set for Life scratch game

Victoria scratch ticket winner Angella Gordon-Spence was thrilled to receive confirmation recently of her Set for Life total prize of $675,000. She bought the ticket at an outlet in the Hillside Shopping Centre. Photo courtesy BC Lottery Corporation
TESS VAN STRAATEN: Having one whale of a time

TESS VAN STRAATEN: Having one whale of a time

Monday columnist joins her mom, a whale-watching rookie, in ocean adventure

  • Jul 9, 2018
TESS VAN STRAATEN: Having one whale of a time
Aria Lam, 5, and her dad, Raymond Lam, were among the 8,000 or so who attended the Saanich Strawberry Festival in 2017. Organizers expect a similar number to attend this year. Wolfgang Depner/Saanich News

SAVE THE DATE: Summertime fun comes in many forms on the South Island

From goats to cars to stars, this list has a bit of everything to help plan the rest of summer

  • Jul 5, 2018
Aria Lam, 5, and her dad, Raymond Lam, were among the 8,000 or so who attended the Saanich Strawberry Festival in 2017. Organizers expect a similar number to attend this year. Wolfgang Depner/Saanich News
Members of the Victoria Fire Department’s Ride to Conquer Cancer team join Colorado Avalanche NHL player Tyson Barrie (front row centre, left) and gold sponsor Jeremy Petzing (third from right), owner of The Local, for the donation of an autographed jersey to be auctioned off at this Friday’s Gala for Hope fundraiser at the Crystal Garden. The department team raised approximately $100,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation through its efforts last year. This year’s ride goes Aug. 24 and 25 on two routes on the mainland. Don Descoteau/Victoria News

Victoria firefighters gear up to help battle a different nemesis

Formal gala at Crystal Garden raising funds for Ride to Conquer Cancer team’s efforts

Members of the Victoria Fire Department’s Ride to Conquer Cancer team join Colorado Avalanche NHL player Tyson Barrie (front row centre, left) and gold sponsor Jeremy Petzing (third from right), owner of The Local, for the donation of an autographed jersey to be auctioned off at this Friday’s Gala for Hope fundraiser at the Crystal Garden. The department team raised approximately $100,000 for the BC Cancer Foundation through its efforts last year. This year’s ride goes Aug. 24 and 25 on two routes on the mainland. Don Descoteau/Victoria News
Canada Day festivities at the Royal BC Museum are jam-packed with live performances and family-friendly fun with extended hours Friday and Saturday (June 29 and 30). Photo contributed

Royal BC Museum celebrates Canada, past and present

Holiday weekend lineup includes Penny Carnival, live performances, extended hours

Canada Day festivities at the Royal BC Museum are jam-packed with live performances and family-friendly fun with extended hours Friday and Saturday (June 29 and 30). Photo contributed
Fun and personalized fashion are two key elements of the annual Memorial Drag Ball Game at Vic West Park. Photo by Peter B. Jakab/victoriapridesociety.org

PRIDE WEEK: Popularity has surged for Memorial Drag Ball game in the past 20 years

The venue has changed, but the theme of not taking one’s self too seriously remains

Fun and personalized fashion are two key elements of the annual Memorial Drag Ball Game at Vic West Park. Photo by Peter B. Jakab/victoriapridesociety.org
The living flag is a Canada Day tradition on the grounds of the legislature. Photo courtesy Downtown Victoria Business Association

O, Canada! – Show your colours on July 1 in Greater Victoria

Here’s your guide to Canada Day celebrations around the Capital Region

  • Jun 16, 2018
The living flag is a Canada Day tradition on the grounds of the legislature. Photo courtesy Downtown Victoria Business Association
5 fun things to do this weekend in Greater Victoria

5 fun things to do this weekend in Greater Victoria

Car Free YYJ, family fishing, Sooke bluegrass, walk for cancer and a mascot’s birthday

5 fun things to do this weekend in Greater Victoria
Cool Aid co-founder Charles Barber, right, works the phones for the organization’s Help Lines, as shown in this photo from August 1968. (Photo contributed)

Captured in time: Cool Aid unveils photos from its 50 years of history

The photos will be on display and for sale at their Downtown Community Centre

Cool Aid co-founder Charles Barber, right, works the phones for the organization’s Help Lines, as shown in this photo from August 1968. (Photo contributed)