Sample mouth-watering cuisine and learn about an ancient culture at Greek Fest, Friday to Sunday this week and next at the Greek Community Centre.
This is the 15th year of the annual event, which attracted more than 23,000 visitors last year. They came to sample food and take in performances by more than 25 groups from different cultural backgrounds, including one that had travelled from Greece to perform.
Visitors can tuck in to authentic Greek food, such as arni psito (lamb on the spit), souvlaki, gyros or a vegetarian plate that includes spanakopita and tzatziki. Desserts include baklava, loukoumades, kourambiedes and koulouria.
Diners will be entertained by the Kariatis Folklore Dancers and Zefyos Hellenic Dance Society. But the Elkelam Dance Group, from Athens, takes it one step further, giving free Greek dance lessons as well as performing.
Entertainment will run continuously throughout the day, but is not exclusively Greek. As many as 29 groups, from various ethnic backgrounds, will share the stage.
The event also has an altruistic side, with net proceeds going toward paying for a school-lunch program for some of Victoria's neediest children.
The program is a partnership between the Greek Community Society, which hosts the event, and Saanich Fire Department. Any money left over goes toward other local charities.
Apart from the food and entertainment, people can learn about the history of Greece and Greeks in British Columbia, including Ioannis Focas, the first Greek to visit the province in 1592, at the Heritage Exhibit. The room with historical artifacts is on the west side of the community centre and open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the festival. The public can also take a guided tour of the Greek Orthodox Church to see frescoes and learn of its history.
Admission to the festival and all entertainment is free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday until Sunday and the same time Sept. 2 to 5, under tents on the grounds of the Greek Community Centre, 4648 Elk Lake Dr. (in front of the Saanich Commonwealth Recreation Centre).
For information, go to greekfest.ca.
Plenty to do in the parks
There’s always something happening outdoors at a CRD park, and the last week of August is no exception.
Visitors of all ages are invited to Cougar Capers, a guided walk that takes place in East Sooke Regional Park today.
People will learn about the life of cougars on this informative walk and talk with a CRD Regional Parks naturalist.
The event runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today. Meet at the kiosk at the Aylard Farm parking lot, off Becher Bay Road in East Sooke. The event is wheelchair-friendly.
Take a two-hour walk to view petroglyphs at Pictures of the Past, a walk suitable for ages eight and older on Saturday.
A parks naturalist will take the group for a scenic walk along the East Sooke Park coastline.
The walk runs from 10 a.m. to noon starting from the kiosk at the Aylard Farm parking lot, off Becher Bay Road in East Sooke. Sturdy hiking shoes are recommended.
Hike two parks in one program at the Park to Park: 2 in 1 Hiking Adventure, a moderate hike suitable for people 18 and older on Sunday at Francis/King Regional Park.
A CRD Parks naturalist will lead the group through Francis/King Park, along the Pan Handle Fire Trail to Thetis Lake and back.
The event runs 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 28. While there is no fee to attend, pre-registration is required. Call 250-478-3344 as space is limited.
The last program of the month, Tree-mendous Trees, is a guided walk suitable for children five and older, Tuesday at Devonian Regional Park in Metchosin.
Participants will discover the mysteries of trees on a fun forest adventure.
They can follow clues and riddles along the trail to meet the park’s giants.
The event runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Meet at the kiosk near the parking lot off William Head Road. The park is on B.C. Transit routes 54 or 55. Try to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the program. Please leave pets at home.
For more information, go to crd.bc.ca/parks.
Plan a summer outing to view gallery’s exhibitions
Beat the heat and enjoy the dog days of summer roaming through the exhibitions of the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
This is an opportunity to see the last of the gallery’s major summer exhibitions.
The Modernization in Meiji Japan (1868-1912): Images of Changing Architecture, Transportation and Wars closes Sunday.
Trans Pacific Transmissions: Video Art Across the Pacific ends on Sept. 5, with Emily Carr and the Young Generation ongoing.
The art gallery will also be participating in the Integrate Arts Festival’s free Art Crawl on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the citywide, weekend-long festival of art studios and galleries, go to integratearts.ca.
People can start registering for fall classes at the gallery on Saturday. Visit the website for tickets and class schedules.
There are two guided tours left for the month, both led by a gallery docent. Visitors taking the drop-in tour can delve deeper into the featured exhibits:
• 2 p.m. Saturday: China’s Favourite Pottery for Tea: Yixing Ware
• 2 p.m. Sunday: Emily Carr and the Young Generation
Art lovers can purchase or rent original works of art at affordable prices at the Beautiful British Columbia Show and Sale in the Massey Gallery until Sept. 29.
Regular admission applies. The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday at 1040 Moss St. For more information, a calendar of events and tickets, visit aggv.ca or call 250-384-4171.
There’s nothing square about Centennial
Centennial Square is alive all summer with dancing, outdoor market and board games on Sundays.
• Members of the Victoria Junior Chess Society invite people to play chess or Scrabble every Sunday until Sept. 4.
• Watch or learn a few steps of Salsa Dancing, 4 to 7 p.m. every Sunday through September.
• Snap up a bargain at the Etsy Outdoor Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays until Sept. 4.
• Country Line Dancing takes place 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. The next event will be on Sept. 20. Go to countrydancevictoria.
• There is Hip Hop in the Square, on the third Wednesday of the month. The next event is 6 to 9 p.m. on Sept. 21.
The Centennial Square plaza was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the City of Victoria. It is bounded by Douglas, Government and Fisgard streets and Pandora Avenue, and is next to Victoria City Hall.
Food trucks ready to start cooking
Sample creative and delicious food from 18 street-food trucks at the fourth annual Friday Truck-Up in Centennial Square.
Organizers estimate as many as 10,000 people will sample the wares of PV Amigos, Rolling Reef, Deadbeetz, Fresh Coast, Hungry Rooster, The Crispy Fish, Greek on the Street, Unplugged Foodie and other returning vendors.
Diners 19 and older can wash down their food with beer or cider.
Entertainers this week include Stray Cougar, Amelie Patterson, Weak Patrol, Lovecoast and Mike Edel.
Admission is free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday in Centennial Square. The beer garden opens at noon. For details, look for the event on Facebook.
Big rigs are on their marks
The North American Big Rig racers are coming to town along with Demo Cars, Mini Figure 8s, Bombers, Claimers and Capital Drift for the Wilson and Proctor Big Rig Weekend at Western Speedway on Saturday.
While more commonly seen on the highway hauling freight, a few big rigs have been modified to race against each other. Expect an event with the smell of diesel in the air and ground-pounding power on the track.
Admission is $22.50 adults, $20 seniors and youth 13 to 18, $14 military and children 7 to 14 and $65 family (two adults, four children). The back gate opens at 2 p.m., practice starts at 4:30, qualifying 5:30, Fan Fest 6 and racing at 6:30 at 2207 Millstream Rd. For information, go to westernspeedway.ca.
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