My husband and I are regular visitors to Victoria; it is our sixth extended stay in a downtown condo over the Christmas season.
We take advantage of the marvellous musical and other performances on offer and truly enjoy the charm of the city. But I want to comment on the lack of any New Year’s celebrations this year.
No fireworks, no outdoor market, no outdoor stage (as the stage in Centennial Square has been expropriated by homeless folks) no Ferris wheel in the square.
I searched every available website looking for something out and about on New Year’s Eve, to no avail.
The charm of Victoria over Christmas keeps us coming back — well, maybe the above-zero temperatures help — but when the charm is replaced by the impressions of homeless beggars and the discontent of the locals over bike lanes and downtown parking issues that was voiced repeatedly by shopkeepers, we are second-guessing our destination.
Linda Lovett and Edward Fox
Winnipeg
