See $700 worth of world-class tourist attractions for $15 during Be A Tourist in your Own Hometown, Friday through Sunday this week and repeating next weekend.
The annual event, in its 47th year, is an opportunity for locals and visitors alike to check out 50 of the most popular tourist attractions and activities in Greater Victoria. This year, the promotion has expanded to six days — three this weekend and three more next weekend.
“We made the change based on feedback from past visitors,” said Chido Chinyani, co-ordinator for Attractions Victoria, which hosts the event. “People always complained that they didn’t have enough time to see all the attractions. Some attractions also complained that they were sometimes overwhelmed with crowds. Extending the promotion to two consecutive weekends should solve both issues.”
Up to 7,000 people are expected to take advantage of free admission to some attractions and significant discounts to others.
Participants get a VIP card that acts as an all-access pass during the event. It’s not just for attractions, either — it also include deals on tours, food and drink, accommodation and transportation.
Show it to gain free admission to Butchart Gardens, a free tour at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, free wine tasting at Deep Cove Winery, $10 off your afternoon tea at the Pacific Restaurant or 25 per cent off your room at the Hotel Grand Pacific.
Free admission or discounts sometimes apply only on select days — not every day of the promotion — so be sure to check the schedule ahead of time.
New participants this year include Kaleidoscope Theatre, Vancouver Island Brewery and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
VIP cards are $15 (good for six days over two weekends) each, or buy four and get one free. Children’s admission varies by the venue — check with individual businesses for clarification.
The card can be purchased in person from Save-on-Foods locations in the area, The Bay Centre at 1150 Douglas St. and the Destination Greater Victoria Visitor Centre at 812 Wharf St.
The event runs Feb. 22 to 24 and March 1 to 3. For details, a list of participants or to buy a card, go to attractionsvictoria.com/be-a-tourist.
Row, row, row yourself to the boat and fishing show
Find everything you need to catch fish or enjoy your time on the water at the Victoria Boat and Fishing Show, Friday to Sunday at the Eagle Ridge Arena in Langford.
The show, hosted by Canwest Productions in conjunction with Island Outfitters, is the largest boat, fishing and outdoor show on Vancouver Island.
The arena will be awash with new boats, from motorboats to luxurious yachts. Exhibitors will be on hand to offer products and services ranging from charters, surfing and water skiing to diving technologies.
Seminars will be held on all three days of the show, covering subjects such as Knots and Docks, presented by the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron, and halibut fishing, with Ward Bond and Joanne Skakun from Island Outfitters.
Try your luck at the fishing pond or practise your target-shooting skills at the Victoria Fish and Game Air Gun Range.
Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, $15 for a family pass (two adults and children under 16) and free for children 16 and under. Cash only at the door. The event runs 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Eagle Ridge Arena (at City Centre Park), 1089 Langford Pkwy., Langford. For details, go to victoriaboatshow.com.
Gardeners: Discover how to prune, get seedy in Sooke
Attend a pruning workshop or take home seeds or seedlings at two gardening events on the West Shore on Saturday.
• Learn everything you need to know about fruit-tree pruning and get some hands-on experience at the Pruning Party, a working workshop hosted by the B.C. Fruit Testers Association, Saturday at Royal Roads University.
At the winter-pruning workshop, instructors will demonstrate on espaliers, old and young trees, gooseberries and currants.
Participants will learn the difference between a flower and leaf bud, and watch demonstrations on grafting and tool sharpening.
By the end of the workshop, novice gardeners should be able to tackle that overgrown apple or pear tree in their back garden with new confidence.
Bring your own pruners.
The workshop is free to join. The event runs 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday in the walled garden/glasshouse area on the grounds of Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Rd. Bring coins for the parking meter. Parking is $1 per hour. For more information, go to bcfta.ca.
• Get ready for spring at the Sooke Seedy Saturday, the region’s one-day seed and local food-growing event, Saturday at the Sooke Community Hall.
The event is hosted by the Sooke Region Food Community Health Initiative Society.
Browse offerings from a range of seed and plant vendors or pick up or exchange seeds at a seed-exchange table.
There will be educational displays and workshops on composting and beekeeping.
Admission is by donation.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Shields Rd. (opposite the legion on Eustace Road). For details, go to sookefoodchi.ca/events/seedysaturday.
Learn about the sex lives of invertebrates
Join experts from the Royal B.C. Museum as they delve into the world of invertebrate reproduction at Fieldtrippers: Sex in the Sand on Sunday at Island View Beach Regional Park.
Search the rare dune environment and intertidal zone for flying and marine invertebrates with Heidi Gartner, invertebrates collection manager, Dr. Joel Gibson, curator of entomology and a CRD Regional Parks interpreter.
It’s a rare opportunity, since Fieldtrippers take place only approximately four times a year.
Come dressed for rain and wear suitable footwear.
Admission is by donation. The event is suitable for children 14 and older. The program runs 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Meet at the grassy area adjacent to the picnic shelter, by the parking lot off Homathko Road at Island View Beach Regional Park in Saanichton. For more information, go to royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.
Take a trip to 1860s at Ross Bay Villa
Step over the threshold into the 1860s at the Historic House Tour at the Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum on Saturday.
Experience life as an early settler in Victoria as you tour the restored 1865 heritage home.
The villa has been painstakingly restored by a team of volunteers. From silkscreened wallpaper to hand-stitched quilts and painted oilcloths, each detail has been chosen to reflect the life of the Roscoe family, the original inhabitants, between 1865 and 1879.
The house is one of only a dozen examples from the 1860s still standing in Victoria.
Francis Roscoe and his wife, Anna Letitia, lived in the home with their five children until Francis’s death in 1878 and his family’s return to England.
Take the tour for a $5 cash donation. The one-hour tour starts at 2 p.m. Saturday at the house, 1490 Fairfield Rd. (across from Ross Bay Cemetery). For more information, go to rossbayvilla.org.
Get into the groove of African rhythms
Come together for an evening of African rhythms at Issamba, an interactive musical spectacle featuring world-renowned African-born artists, tonight at Mary Winspear Centre.
The event is presented by Productions Pulchérie Mboussi on behalf of the Victoria African and Caribbean Cultural Society
The event brings together music from across African cultures — experience a mix of African instruments, traditional rhythms, cultures and dancing styles.
The 90-minute show will give the audience a glimpse into the rich and diverse musical culture of Africa, say organizers.
Tickets are $31.50. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlie White Theatre at the Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney.
For more information, go to marywinspear.ca/event/issamba.
