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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
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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

Goat stampede

Catch the summertime tradition daily at 10:10 a.m. and 5:10 p.m. at the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. Info: beaconhillchildrensfarm.ca

Summer Star Parties

Saturday evenings to Sept. 23 – The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, 5071 West Saanich Rd., is open 7:30 to 11 p.m. Tours of the historic Plaskett telescope, astronomy lectures and presentations. victoria.rasc.ca

Sidney Days

June 29 to July 1 – Parade, entertainment, fireworks and more in downtown Sidney.

Victoria Pride Week

July 1 to 8 – Events get underway with the annual Memorial Dragball Game July 1 at Vic West Park, and include the Big Gay Dog Walk July 6, Pride in the Word July 7, and culminate with the Pride Pararde July 8 leading to the Pride Festival at MacDonald Park in James Bay, with entertainment, vendor plaza, kids camp and lots of good-spirited fun. victoriapridesociety.org

Brentwood Bay Music in the Park

Wednesdays, July 4 to Aug 15 – Outdoor concerts, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Pioneer Park. Bring a chair, a blanket, a picnic dinner, or buy dinner from one of the food vendors. Free. brentwoodbay.info/music-in-the-park

Sidney Summer Sounds

Sundays, July 8 to Aug. 26 – Sidney’s Beacon Park hosts live music, 2 to 4 p.m. Bring a chair, picnic and blanket to enjoy the performances. By donation. peninsulacelebrations.ca.

Folktoria

July 8 – Enjoy ethnic dance groups in colourful costumes, arts and crafts and games, multicultural cuisine, and music, from 11 a.m. in Centennial Square.

Saanich Strawberry Festival

July 8 – Family activities, program demonstrations, arts and craft stations, entertainment and of course, a traditional serving of strawberries and ice cream from 1 to 3 p.m. for just 50 cents! 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beaver Lake Park.

Swan Lake Summer Special Events

Every second Wednesday in summer – Drop-in nature celebration filled with hands-on activities, games, crafts and more, noon to 3 p.m. Info: swanlake.bc.ca

SKAMpede

July 13 to 15 – TheatreSKAM’s annual outdoor live performance festival suitable for the whole family, presented along the Galloping Goose Trail with our Hub at 360 Harbour Rd. Info: skam.ca

BC Summer Games

July 19 to 22 – Celebration of sport hosted in the Cowichan Valley. Info: bcgames.org

Creatures of the Summer Night

July 20, Aug. 24 – Check out the amazing nightlife of Swan Lake! Suitable for families with children over 6 years. $5/sanctuary members; $6/non-members. Preregister: 250-479-0211.

TD Art Gallery Paint-In

July 21 – The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s annual art extravaganza along Moss Street. Info: aggv.ca

Medieval Day

July 21 – 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Raptors Centre. Info: pnwraptors.com

Victoria Flamenco Festival

July 26 to 29 – A dynamic and diverse community event, featuring workshops and performances. Info: victoriaflamencofestival.com

BC Aviation Museum open house

July 28 – Explore the aircraft displays and aviation artifacts. 1910 Norseman Rd., Sidney, bcam.net

Collector Car Festival

July 29 – Oak Bay Avenue through the Village is transformed into a pedestrian walkway, as 250 to 300 vintage and collector cars are showcased. Starts at 8 a.m. Barbecue in front of the municipal hall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Virtual Elvis performs between noon and 3. Free. Visit oakbay.ca for more details.

Free-B Film Festival

Aug. 3 to 18 – Friday and Saturday night showings over three weekends at the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park. Aug. 3, Babe; Aug. 4, Mean Girls; Aug. 10, Some Like it Hot; Aug. 11, Shakespeare in Love; Aug. 17, Planet of the Apes; Aug. 18 Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone. freebfilmfest.com

Cadboro Bay Festival

Aug. 12 – Enjoy a variety of hands-on activities, bouncy castles, information displays, arts and crafts, and fun for the entire family, plus world-class sand sculptors, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gyro Park. Free admission.

Symphony Splash

Aug. 5 – The Victoria Symphony’s annual outdoor concert spectacle in Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Info: victoriasymphony.ca/splash

Victoria Dragonboat Festival

Aug. 10 to 12 – Competition and cultural festivities in the Inner Harbour. Info: victoriadragonboat.com

Water Gun Wars

Aug. 18 – Fun and games for the while family at Fort Rodd Hill. Bring your own water guns. Info: pc.gc.ca/eng/lhn-nhs/bc/fortroddhill/

Pet-A-Palooza

Aug. 18 and 19 – Popular pet-friendly event is at St. Ann’s Academy, 835 Humboldt St. Animal lovers and their pets are invited to take in 70 exhibitors and fun events like dock diving, wiener dog races, a puppy stampede and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. petapaloozawest.com.

Vancouver Island Motor Gathering

Aug. 26 – Fun-filled family event showcasing an array of classic, unique, modern and custom cars and motorcycles for enthusiasts of all ages at the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, Cowichan Valley. Info: motorgathering.com

Downtown Victoria Buskers Festival

Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 – Free, family-friendly festival showcasing quirky and unique street talent from around the world.

Classic Boat Festival

Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 – Annual celebration of classic boats fills the Inner Harbour. Info: mmbc.bc.ca