The Saanich Fair, a Labour Day tradition, marks another summer’s end with a three-day weekend fling filled with food, more than 5,000 exhibits, midway rides and, of course, lots of animals, from Saturday to Monday.
The granddaddy of local festivals, it is Western Canada’s oldest continuous agricultural fair, started by 10 farmers 148 years ago.
“We expect to welcome up to 45,000 over the three days,” said Linda Dorman, one of the fair’s co-ordinators.
True to its agricultural roots, 27 different farm animals will be on show in barns and stalls, from alpacas to pigs and everything in between.
Young members of 4-H clubs — the name stands for head, heart, health and hands — will be on hand to chat about their charges, which range from chickens to donkeys, rabbits and ducks.
This year, the fair will introduce a new venue called Kidz Zone, featuring a giant colouring wall.
“We’re embarking on a new adventure to promote agriculture in youth,” Dorman said.
“This will be a hands-on experience for kids, so that they get to know where their vegetables come from.” Children can take part in farm games, attend cowboy and cowgirl school, learn how to do horse-tail braiding or compete in pedal tractor races.
There will be livestock competitions, with judges determining the best animal in each category. There will be dog agility, horse, dairy goat and sheep shearing shows.
Sign up for eating contests — for pies, cupcakes, Spam, ice cream or watermelon — but don’t even think about touching the Blue Ribbon-adorned apple pies or prize-winning pickles on display in the Agricultural Hall.
Other attractions include 28 midway rides, more than 60 vendors and concessions with an ethnic flair.
Demonstrations taking place throughout the three days include alpaca and llama shearing, milking, Highland dancing, and rabbit care and grooming.
There will be live music from performers including Phoenix, a four-piece rock ’n’ roll band, Jesse Roper, the Dr. Bones Band, Rukus and Honeymoon Suite.
The fair is hosted by the North and South Saanich Agricultural Society.
Admission is $11 for adults on Saturday and Sunday, $10 on Monday; $8 for seniors and youth on Saturday and Sunday, $7 on Monday; free for children six and under.
The fair is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at the fairgrounds,
1528 Stellys Cross Rd. Saanichton. No dogs. For more information, go to
saanichfair.ca.
Classic boats dock for 38th annual festival
Up to 80 vintage sail and power boats from around the Pacific Northwest and beyond will gather in the Inner Harbour as the Victoria Classic Boat Festival celebrates its 38th anniversary over the long weekend.
The festival is one of the region’s most anticipated maritime events of the year, featuring classic boats of all shapes and sizes. Gaffrigged schooners will be sharing the docks with rowboats and workboats.
Although most of the boats taking part are old — the oldest was built in 1910 — the show is also open to replicas, vessels built after 1955 but in keeping with a pre-1956 design.
Increasingly, vessels built in the late 1960s and early 1970s, which are now also considered classics, turn up at the event.
One example is the Vancouver-based Kisaki, a 72-foot Monk McQueen built in 1974.
This year, visitors to the show may notice an abundance of larger entries, with a dozen boats between 70 to 80 feet, including the MV Olympus, an 83-foot fantail yacht.
The estimated 8,000 visitors expected over the weekend can walk along the docks to admire the boats and meet their owners. Most of the boats will be open to the public.
On Sunday morning there will be a sailpast and salute to the honorary commodore off the Ogden Point breakwater followed by a classic sail race (weather permitting) in the afternoon. Boats will start arriving today.
The festival officially kicks off at noon on Friday with the arrival of the honorary commodore on board HMCS Oriole.
There will be a welcome kiosk in the lower causeway docks in front of the Empress Hotel.
Sunday’s sailpast, which starts at 11 a.m., can be viewed from the Ogden Point breakwater.
The races, which begin after the sailpast, can be seen along Dallas Road between Ogden and Clover Point.
Admission is free. The boats are open to view from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
For details go to classicboatfestival.ca.
Sailors are ready to race
Recognized as Canada's international regatta for sailors with disabilities, the 2015 Mobility Cup is being held in Victoria from Monday to Friday.
The Disabled Sailing Association of British Columbia’s Victoria branch and the Canadian Forces Sailing Association — Esquimalt Squadron are hosting the event. Competitors from as far away as Europe and New Zealand will be taking part.
The regatta is open to anyone with a significant disability, regardless of their sailing experience. People who may never have sailed can pit themselves against champions.
Registration starts today, with practice on Monday and races Tuesday to Friday at the Canadian Forces Sailing Association’s dock at 1001 Maple Bank Rd., Esquimalt. Go to mobilitycup.com.
Needlework art on show
Traditional and modern needlework is on display at Into the Garden. The event is an exhibition of hand and machine embroidery, smocking, counted thread work, cross stitch, surface embroidery and quilting.
The event, taking place from Saturday to Sept. 20. is hosted by the Embroiderers’ Guild of Victoria. it will showcase the fibreart of the guild’s 100 members.
This is not your grandmother’s needlework. You can expect to see many original designs in traditional and modern needlework in exquisite stitching and a variety of styles.
Admission is free. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tulista Gallery of the Community Arts Centre, 9565 Fifth St., Sidney. For details, go to embroiderersguildvictoria.ca.
Fundraiser will help vultures
Duncan wildlife attraction The Raptors is celebrating International Vulture Awareness Day on Saturday and Sunday.
Visitors can learn more about the bald-headed scavengers through talks and flying demonstrations. There will be a barbecue and a silent auction.
Vultures are the most endangered group of birds worldwide. Three species in Asia have declined in numbers by almost 99 per cent in the past 15 years.
Proceeds from the event will go to vulture conservation programs. Admission is $16 for adults, $8 for children three to 12, $14 for seniors (65-plus) and youth (13 to 17). The facility is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1877 Herd Rd. Duncan. Demos are at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Go to pnwraptors.com.
Scots get together
Tartan Up! is a four-day celebration of Scottish culture and heritage taking place in Victoria.
It includes whisky tasting, a charity golf tournament, a fundraising concert and a gala banquet and runs from next Wednesday to Saturday.
The event, hosted by the Sons of Scotland Benevolent Association, is part of its triennial national convention. Proceeds from events will benefit the B.C. Kidney Foundation, the Sons of Scotland Foundation and the Victoria High School Rhythm & Blues Band.
The whisky tasting costs $60 and starts at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the golf tournament costs $125 and takes place on Thursday. The concert costs $25 for adults and $10 for students, and is on Friday. For venues and more information, go to tartanup.org.
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