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Pick up performances along the trail at SKAMpede

What : Theatre SKAM’s SKAMpede Where : Along the Galloping Goose Trail When : Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15 Tickets : Free SKAMpede, a local theatre group’s family-friendly outdoor live performance festival along the Galloping Goose Trail, cele
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Nayana Fielkov and Isabelle Kirouac perform at last yearÕs SKAMpede, which returns for its 10th season this weekend along the Galloping Goose Trail. Spectators should gather at the Hub, 360 Harbour Rd.

What: Theatre SKAM’s SKAMpede
Where: Along the Galloping Goose Trail
When: Saturday and Sunday, July 14 and 15
Tickets: Free

SKAMpede, a local theatre group’s family-friendly outdoor live performance festival along the Galloping Goose Trail, celebrates its 10th anniversary with more performances and free admission Saturday and Sunday.

Formed in 1995, Theatre SKAM prided itself as a company who produced innovative and entertaining new works.

One of its most endearing productions is SKAMpede, an annual summer festival performed live along the Galloping Goose Trail.

The festival includes short shows, which include dance, theatre and the spoken word, performed along Harbour Road and the trail.

Audiences of all ages travel from show to show by walking, cycling, rollerblading, on a mobility scooter or any other mobility device legal on the trail.

This year they can view up to 16 shows.

“Tours start whenever we get 12 people in a group,” said Matthew Payne, artistic director of the company.

“In the past, we have attracted up to 500 people to the festival. This year, with free admission, we are hoping to see 800 attend.”

The audience will be treated to performances by 16 artists from Victoria, the Lower Mainland and as far as Toronto.

“It’s a great milestone to arrive at the 10-year anniversary,” said Payne, one of the founding members of the company.

“When we did our first SKAMpede, we thought it was just going to be an one-off event.”

The audience gathers at the Hub, 360 Harbour Rd., where people register and get a tour map. Once a dozen people are assembled, they are sent off to take in three to four shows at various stages along the Galloping Goose Trail before returning to the hub for the next tour.

The gathering of a minimum of 12 participants typically takes 15 to 20 minutes, said Payne. The goal is for tours to roll out every five minutes as the audience numbers increase.

“The audience dictates how long it takes. It’s about building a critical mass for the event.”

Taking in all 16 shows can take more than four hours on wheels, and longer on foot.

There is one American Sign Language interpreted tour for members of the deaf community and a described tour for those with vision loss (advance registration for both tours required).

Anyone waiting for the next tour to start can occupy their time with the company’s Pop-Up Theatre, take in interactive art, non-narrative performances or fill up with refreshments.

People can also take time at the Decoration Station to deck out their bicycles.

“We want to make waiting for the tour to begin part of the adventure and have made some of the activities closer to the hub,” Payne said.

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, there are two social events outside of the tour — a Friday Night Feast consisting of a three-course meal and 14 shows and a Happy Hour Silent Auction on Saturday.

On Saturday, the Lekwungen Traditional Dancers will perform at an opening ceremony at noon.

On Sunday, everyone is invited to a 10th birthday party with free cake that runs between noon and 12:30 p.m. at the Hub.

“We are optimistic that we will get to 800 visitors this year,” Payne said.

“We have the acts and we have the capacity. By making it free this year — it was $20 a ticket in past years — there are no excuses for not coming. If you haven’t see it yet, now is your best time.”

The festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at venues along the Galloping Goose Trail.

The Hub is at 360 Harbour Rd. (Farmer Construction offices), with portable toilets and a first-aid station. For more information, go to skam.ca.