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PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW - Wednesday, JuneJune 26, 2013 PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW - Wednesday, 26, 2013
explore the saanich
peninsula
the possibilities
By land or by sea, enjoy the Peninsula S
urrounded by the Salish Sea, the Peninsula is the gateway to many exciting aquatic activities. From whale-watching amidst the sea spray to enjoying a lazy day on calm, sunny waters, the ocean is a beautiful and exciting place to be. The waters around the Peninsula are abundant with wildlife, from seabirds to whales. Whether you’re exploring the open ocean in a high-powered vessel or enjoying a leisurely paddle through an archipelago of islands, you’ll be sure to spot a myriad of creatures. Experience for yourself why the ocean is irresistible. Once you’re here on the Peninsula, there are many choices to choose from to get easy access to all the region has to offer. Island Cruising charters
Getting outside and on the ocean is a great way to see what the Saanich Peninsula has to offer. yachts and powerboats and offers week-long learn-to-sail vacations. For the experienced sailor, or willing student, Island Cruising is the place to acquire the boat and skills necessary for
an aquatic adventure. Visit www. islandcruising.com for more. Pacifica Paddle Sports rents canoes and kayaks and offers tours as well. Tod Inlet is only 20 minutes away from the dock,
while Senanus Island, a great picnic spot, is only 30 minutes away. There are also further away locations for those who wish to make a day trip. The beautiful waters of Brentwood
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Bay are a must. Check them out at www.pacificapaddle.com. Paddle in the Park Kayaking offers kayak rentals, lessons, and a variety of tours. Along with an experienced guide, explore the waters surrounding Sidney during the day or take the sunset tour to experience the beauty of the evening ocean. Visit www. apaddleinthepark.com. Sidney Whale Watching offers year-round kayak rentals and whale-watching tours from March to November. These three hour tours take you off the coast of Sidney to discover the wildlife that inhabits the area and sightings are guaranteed. Go to www.ssidneywhalewatching.com. Sidney Spit is accessible via the Alpine Sidney Spit Ferry. The schedule can be found online at www.alpinegroup.ca/companies/ alpine-sidney-spit-ferry.
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Wednesday, 26, 2013 - PENINSULA NEWSREVIEW REVIEW Wednesday, JuneJune 26, 2013 - PENINSULA NEWS
the peninsula
Getting around the Peninsula Peninsula heritage comes alive executive director at Butterfly Gardens. The Saanich Peninsula is the gateway to The routes have an east-west focus, with exploring Greater Victoria and all of Vancoutrips to local attractions. It’s transporting ver Island. children to various summer camps at PanTo visit some of the best places the Penorama Recreation Centre and Greenglade insula has to offer, the Peninsula Attractions Community Centre. Find out more and make Shuttle is a free hop-on-and-hop-off service your reservations at www. running between peninsulashuttle.ca. June 29 and SeptemThe most popular ber 3. means of arriving here It visits the area’s is through B.C. Ferries’ hottest tourist Swartz Bay terminal. The attractions — The Anacortes to Sidney ferry Butchart Gardens, arrives at the Sidney ferry Victoria Butterfly terminal daily during the Gardens, Church and summer months. State winery, Sea Private vessels are Cider Farm & Ciderwelcome at marinas all house, Brentwood over the Peninsula. For Bay Resort and Spa moorage, try Van Isle and the Shaw Ocean Marina (www.vanislemariDiscovery Centre. na.com), Westport Marina The Peninsula (www.thunderbirdmarine. Attractions Shuttle com/westport-marina. picks up passengers php), Portside Marina in at the B.C. Ferries Brentwood Bay and many terminal at Swartz others. Bay and the WashPacific Coach Lines ington State Ferries offers daily service, as international termiOnce you’re on the Saanich well as tours to the Pennal in Sidney and insula from Victoria and connects them to the Peninsula, there are many places to enjoy a walk. the North Island, and from Peninsula. the Lower Mainland. Visit The service startwww.pacificcoach.com. ed last year and has expanded. The shuttle Public transit is also an easy and inexpenis free to use. sive way of seeing the beauty of the Saanich “This was initially going to be an attracPeninsula. To view some of the many B.C. tions bus but we (expanded) it to a commuTransit route options visit www.bctransit. nity shuttle,” explained David Roberts, presicom or call 250-382-6161. dent of the Peninsula Shuttle Committee and
The Peninsula is rich in history from land to sea and even the sky above. Learn more about our rich agricultural history at Heritage Acres, started by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society in 1968 by Willard Michell, and a group of volunteers as a way of keeping the history of the Saanich Peninsula alive. Heritage Acres, as it is now known, is a hugely popular destination with hundreds of artifacts displayed in various heritage buildings and on the grounds. Elsewhere, in a compact log house in Saanichton, volunteers craft displays harkening back to the pioneers of the Central Saanich area. With a small dedicated archive next door, the Log Cabin Museum is manned by members of the Saanich Pioneer Society who are dedicated to the preservation of the historical records of the
Heritage Acres in Central Saanich is home to artifacts and Peninsula history. Saanich Peninsula. The Peninsula is also home to the B.C. Aviation Museum — dedicated to preserving aircraft and aviation artifacts. Volunteers collect and restore items key to aviation history in B.C. and Canada. Those include a restored Noorduyn Norseman and Avro Anson MKII.
History from the ferry system and airport to businesses of long ago are outlined in photos and artifacts in the Sidney Museum. An old-time kitchen, general store and classroom all bring back days of old in the Beacon Avenue space. Big news this year is the museum is growing, with more displays.
Be a part of Sidney’s Booktown
Stand at the corner of Beacon and Fourth in Sidney and you’re no more than a block from eight bookstores. It’s no fluke Sidney is dubbed Booktown – the town is brimming with page-turners neatly filed on wooden shelves and stacked on tables both inside the doors of shops and outside, on the wide sidewalks. The Booktown brand is the brainchild of Christine and Clive Tanner, the former owners of a Sidney landmark, Tanner’s Books on Beacon Avenue. After more than a decade of running growing bookshops in Sidney, the two became inspired by a small town on the English-Welsh border. Adel’s Play N Discovery House A small marketplace in Powys, Wales boasts more than 30 bookshops “Inspired by the Reggio Emilia innovative approach in early childhood education” of different types and made the small village into an annual destination for Fun play becomes a medium of discovery and learning at Adel’s Play N many. This inspired the Tanners to create that same calling in Sidney-by-theDiscovery House, a licensed Childcare Centre for children 3-5 years old. Sea. Open House to Monday through Saturday Bibliophiles can easily spend a day perusing the rows of offerings Canada’s 10:am-4:00pm until June 29. Booktown has to offer, from the newest hardcover, to treasured paperbacks, Opens Tuesday, July 2, 2013 to leatherbound volumes touched by countless palms. Hours of operation: Monday thru Friday, 7:30 am – 5:30 pm For maps and information on Sidney Booktown events visit www.adelplayndiscovery.com sidneybooktown.ca. P: 250-655-4888 E: info@adelplayndiscovery.com
2146 Beacon Avenue, West • Sidney BC V8L 1W7
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The District of North Saanich The District of North Saanich
North Saanich offers many diverse recreational for visitors and residents of allactivities ages. for North activities Saanich offers many diverse recreational sports as boating and swimming, visitorsFrom andwater residents ofsuch all ages. From water sports such as to and golf,swimming, beachcombing organized recreation boating to golf,orbeachcombing or organized fun through the Panorama Recreation Centre, recreation fun through the Panorama Recreation Centre, North Saanich can accommodate whatever your North interest Saanich may can accommodate your interest be. Consult whatever our website at may be. Consult our website www.northsaanich.ca www.northsaanich.ca foratmore information on for parks and trailsparks network system, and system, to more our information on our and trails network download a copy of our “Parks and Trails Guide”. and to download a copy of our “Parks and Trails Guide”.
1620 Mills Rd., North Saanich, BC Tel: 250-656-0781 | Fax: 250-656-3155 e-mail: admin@northsaanichc.a | www.northsaanich.ca 1620 Mills Rd., North Saanich, BC
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PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW - Wednesday, June 26, 2013 PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW - Wednesday, June 26, 2013
explore
the possibilities
June to September Gallery by the Sea is up for display and voting by the public. Artworks hang off the fish market at Beacon Pier. June to October Peninsula Country Market opens for the season, Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Info: www. peninsulacountrymarket.ca. June 5 to Aug. 29 Sidney Thursday night street market. From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on a large portion of Beacon Avenue in Sidney, enjoy vendors, music and art at these regular summer street markets. For details, visit www. www.sidney.ca/Visitors/Sidney_Street_Market.htm. June 30 and July 1 Sidney Days, with community celebrations, parade and more. Info: www.peninsulacelebrations.ca. June 29 to Aug. 31, Saturdays Fireworks illuminate the night sky at the Butchart Gardens. Info: www.butchartgardens.com. July to August, Sundays Summer Sounds Concert Series 2 to 4 p.m. in Beacon Park. Info: www.peninsulacelebrations.ca.
Weekend, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Heritage Acres. Info: www.shas.ca
July and August Music in the Park, Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in Pioneer Park, Brentwood Bay. Bring a chair, a blanket, a picnic dinner, or buy dinner from a food vendor. Info: www.brentwoodbay.info.
Oct. 17 to 20 The Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula’s ninth annual Sidney Fine Art Show is at Mary Winspear Centre. Info: http://blog.sidneyfineartshow.com.
Check out these ideas to fill your days while visiting the Saanich Peninsula. December Christmas in the Village with Christmas lights, food, music and Santa at Heritage Acres. For more information, visit www.shas.ca.
August Saanich Historical Artifacts Society’s Heavy Truck Show happens at Heritage Acres. More information on exact dates and times available at www.shas.ca or by calling 250-652-5522.
Oct. 18 to 27 It’s the Saanich Peninsula ArtSea Festival. Starting with the Sidney Fine Art Show, the Festival shows off a community of art in a variety fo forms. Learn more at www.cacsp.com.
August The seventh annual North Saanich Flavour Trail, a tour of North Saanich farms, wineries, nurseries, markets and restaurants. Visit www. northsaanich.ca to confirm dates and times.
October Saanich Peninsula Fall Studio Tour, hosted by the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula. Info: http://cacsp.com.
Aug. 10 to 11 Victoria’s Largest Little Airshow brings its fine show of remote control aircraft to life. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Michell Airfield on Lochside Drive.
Take a hike to the Saanich Peninsula.
Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 146th annual Saanich Fair, with midway, games, community booths, agricultural displays, food, entertainment and more. Info: www. saanichfair.ca. Sept. 14 and 15 Saanich Historical Artifacts Society’s Harvest Fair and Threshing
• Spot aircraft at YYJ • Enjoy Tim’s, Starbucks and the White Spot • Shop the Reay Store • Ride your bicycle, jog or walk the new Bike Path
Dec. 31 First Night celebrations at Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich. Features swimming, skating, arts and crafts, inflatable obstacle course, bouncy castle, a giant movie screen, followed by the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. www.peninsulacelebrations.ca.
November 30 Sidney Sparkles parade and sailpast, a welcome to the holiday season lights up Sidney’s Beacon Avenue and the waterfront. Info: www. peninsulacelebrations.ca.
November Saanich Fairgrounds’ Christmas in the Manger Craft show. Info: www.saanichfair.ca. December Butchart Gardens’ Magic of Christmas – carollers, a festive brass band and an outdoor ice rink to help celebrate the festive season. Info: www.butchartgardens.com.
f progress happening at the Airport! Check out our plans at www.victoriaairport.com
December Saanichton Community Christmas, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Saanichton. Photos with Santa, Christmas Tree Trail and live music. Visit saanichtonvillage.ca for more information.
Wave hello to your reflection in the Salish Sea.
www.victoriaairport.com Your gateway to Vancouver Island.
There is a lot of progress happening at the Airport! Check out our plans at www.victoriaairport.com
Town of Sidney
www.sidney.ca
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EVENTS
explore
Saanich Fair www.saanichfair.ca The 146th annual Saanich Fair is the best place to discover what keeps the Peninsula’s agricultural scene growing. Learn about local farming from cattle to flowers to pigs and pickles. Be amazed by youngsters in 4-H and watch the majestic draft horses go through their paces. Hundreds of volunteers dedicate their time to bring you the best in entertainment, education and fun for the entire family. As well, all concessions during the fair are non-profit and manned by volunteers. Munch on popcorn, cotton candy or ice cream while meandering through dozens of cultural and agricultural displays. Enjoy strolling among the Corner Market vendors and don’t forget to take a ride on the midway. With its roots firmly planted by the nonprofit North and South Saanich Agricultural Society in 1868, the fair has now grown into Western Canada’s longest running agricultural fair. Today, the 146th Saanich Fair has three times more exhibits than Vancouver’s PNE. From the hottest up and coming entertainers, to wild rides and traditional homemade treats and farm-grown veggies, the Saanich Fair has it all. Join the fun Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 & 2. Sidney parades www.peninsulacelebrations.ca Sidney boasts two parades a year, both
hosted by Peninsula Celebrations Society. The first is a summertime tradition that parades down Beacon Avenue on Canada Day as part of the Sidney Days festivities. Starting at 11 a.m. the parade works its way down Beacon from Resthaven Drive toward the waterfront on July 1. There is wheelchair viewing reserved at Beacon and Fifth Street. Viewers tend to line the curbs well ahead of time for the popular parade. In November, Sidney Sparkles. The town is lit up and so is the parade that brings Santa to town in time for Christmas. Usually slated for the final weekend of November, or early December, the parade warms hearts despite the chill in the air.
MARKET SEASON
Sidney market www.sidney.ca The annual Sidney Thursday night street market runs each Thursday evening down Beacon Avenue. Market vendors include everyone from local farmers with fresh produce to those selling custom jewelry, woodwork and art to speciality food items. The market also features music from local performers, bands and buskers to entertain shoppers along the way. Local businesses stay open late to enjoy the festive affair and entertainment rounds out the evening. The market runs through the end of August. North Saanich market www.northsaanichfarmmarket.ca Saturdays in North Saanich are filled with the sights, sounds and smells of growers, bakers and art makers at St. John’s United Church, 10990 West Saanich Rd. Held in the
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26, 2013 - PENINSULA NEWSREVIEW REVIEW Wednesday,Friday, June June 26, 2013 - PENINSULA NEWS
the peninsula
church garden, the market features the best produce North Saanich has to offer, including seasonal fruits and veggies, local lamb and beef. Merry music accompanies each market of the summer and right through the fall once the event moves indoors. An added bonus is the education table where market goers can learn about composting, get garden tips from master gardeners and find out if that ancient apple tree really is a rare heritage breed from the fruit testers.
ATTRACTIONS
Butchart Gardens www.butchartgardens.com The world-renowned Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay bring guests from around the globe all year long. From July through the first week in September, Saturdays are punctuated with the famous fireworks. Music on the main stage and other small segments of the gardens makes perusing the aromatic scene that much more merry. By Christmastime the grounds are lit up in honour of the 12 days of Christmas and an outdoor skating rink provides an added passtime. Don’t forget to check out the carousel all times of year. Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre www.oceandiscovery.ca The aquarium in Sidney celebrates all things about the Salish Sea, above and below. Its Gallery of Drifters (jellyfish) greets guests as they exit the submersible into the deep blue. With a wet lab, tanks filled with fish and their friends in the Gallery of the Salish Sea, a day is complete with a visit to the touch pools. There, guests, using the one finger rule, can shake hands with an urchin. Victoria Butterfly Gardens www.butterflygardens.com The warm humid air of Victoria Butterfly Gardens is enough to entice, even without the jungle atmosphere it offers. If you’re still, a winged creature could even give you a kiss. Filled with the obvious butterflies – 3,000 of them flutter about the flora – this Brentwood Bay tourist stop also has moths like you’ve never seen, pink flamingos and other tropical birds, Koi fish, tortoises and dart frogs. Rates are $5 to $15.
Play
in the
Mary Winspear Centre www.marywinspear.ca Named for a pioneering teacher, long-time visitor to North Saanich and favourite aunt to the large Winspear family, Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre is the hub of entertainment and community events on the Peninsula. The culteral and conference centre has been around since the 1950s, serving business, social and cultural clientele. The 310seat Charlie White theatre is the place to see local, regional and international performers. The Centre offers plenty of community programs for youth and adults and can be found at the west end of Beacon Avenue in Sidney. B.C. Aviation Museum www.bcam.net Volunteers at the British Columbia Aviation Museum, adjacent to the Victoria International Airport, set out to preserve and share aircraft history. Their mandate is to collect, restore and display aircraft and artifacts to share the history of aviation in B.C. and Canada. Browse on your own, or have one of the guides show you around. Admission is $4 to $12. Open daily, call 250-655-3300 for hours. Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk www.sculpturewalk.ca Works of art dot the Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk, two kilometres of seaside walkway starting at the foot of Beacon Avenue. They follow the 2.5 km Heart Smart Walk along the waterfront offering a spectacular backdrop for the artists’ pieces. The artwork is on loan to the town for two years before being changed up to keep the outdoor gallery fresh.
OUTDOORS
Wildlife viewing www.crd.bc.ca/parks Surrounded by the Saanich Inlet and the Salish Sea, the Saanich Peninsula offers a plethora of beautiful beaches and parks, each boasting different features in flora and fauna. Try Island View Regional Park, off Island View Road in Central Saanich; Glass Beach at the base of Beacon Avenue in Sidney; Coles Bay Regional Park off Inverness Road in North Saanich and Verdier Park in Brentwood Bay.
Park
Join us this summer as we explore some of our local parks with ‘Play in the Park’. Beginning July 2nd, Monday to Friday 5:30 - 8:30pm, Panorama staff will facilitate interactive play, face painting, group games, and of course, inflatable fun on our giant 50’ obstacle course! The program will be offered at 7 different locations throughout Sidney, North Saanich and Central Saanich. We can’t think of a better way for you to spend your summer evenings, so grab the whole family and join us for some fun! Remember, a community that plays together, stays together! July
August
(No session Jul 1)
(No session Aug 5)
Pioneer Park
Monday
7130 West Saanich Road
Iroquois Park
Tuesday
2295 Ocean Ave
Wednesday
North Saanich Middle School 10475 McDonald Park Rd
Thursday
Rodolph Park
Centennial Park
Wain Park
Rathdown Park
6446 Loganberry Place
Friday
I N T H E H E A R T O F B R E N T W O O D B AY
871 Birch Road
7400 Block of Wallace 2170 Calvin Ave
7181 West Saanich Road, Brentwood Bay • Phone 250-652-1235
Mon. - Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Closed Sundays & Holidays 250.656.7271
www.panoramarecreation.ca