Model plane enthusiasts give back to community
See a flying Toro lawnmower, the Red Baron’s First World War Fokker triplane (and Snoopy on his doghouse) and much more at Victoria’s Largest Little Airshow, Saturday and Sunday on Michell Airpark in the Saanich Peninsula.
The annual show was started in 2001 by the Victoria Radio Control Modelers Society as a way for the local remote-control flying club to give back to the community.
The show has raised almost $290,000 for local charities since it began. This year, the proceeds of the show will be donated to CFAX Santas Anonymous.
The popular show typically attracts more than 30 pilots from across the province and the United States, who give the thousands of spectators non-stop aerial action over two days.
There will also be a large collection of scale-model planes from both world wars, turbine jets and objects that, logically, shouldn’t be able to fly.
There will be raffle prizes, daily 50/50 draws and children’s activities. Admission is by donation. The show runs from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Michell Airpark, off Lochside Drive on the Saanich Peninsula. Free parking and bicycle racks. Remember to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
Sand sculptors display skills and creativity
Join in the fun at the Cadboro Bay Festival, with world-class sand sculptors, a variety of hands-on activities for the family and more, Sunday at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich.
The community event, hosted by Saanich Parks, Recreation and Culture, features sculptors creating giant works of art on the beach using just sand, water and a whole lot of creativity.
Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with inflatable amusements, information displays, as well as arts and craft stations.
Three local bands, Freeze Frame (1980s cover tunes), Tropic Mayhem (Beach Boys) and Younger Than Yesterday (Beatles, 1960s hits) will provide live music all day.
There will be a number of concessions for you to purchase food including Judy’s Snack Shack, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Mini Donuts, Mama Rosies, Greek on the Street, Lemon Heaven and Softies Ice Cream.
The event is free. It runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Saanich. Parking is free. The large grass area inside the park (entrance off Cadboro Bay Road) will be open for additional parking until 5 p.m.
A free shuttle bus will run continuously from the lower section of Lot 5 at the University of Victoria to the main entrance of Gyro Park between noon and 4 p.m. Bring cash for food purchases at the festival as there is no ATM inside the park (closest option is only a two-minute walk from the park to Pepper’s Foods).
For more information, go to saanich.ca.
Award-winning gardens ideal place for listening to live music
Spend two days enjoying music and the arts at the 2017 Canadian Garden of the Year at Arts and Music in the Gardens, Saturday and Sunday at the Gardens at Horticultural Centre of the Pacific.
This is the 25th year of the annual event, the marquee fundraiser for the Pacific Horticulture College, nestled in nine acres of award-winning gardens.
Visitors admiring the flowers and foliage on the grounds, named Canadian Garden of the Year at the 2017 Garden Tourism Awards, will be serenaded by performers playing live music from three stages.
There will also be more than 50 local artists, vendors and exhibitors on hand to help people connect with plants.
The Victoria Master Gardener Association will be there to answer all of your plant and gardening questions, conveniently located next to the plant-sale booth.
There will be installations by the Victoria Floral Artists Guild, food trucks and a concession stand.
Admission is free for Horticultural Centre of the Pacific members or $10 for non-members. Those who renew or purchase new memberships at the event will have their admission reimbursed.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific, 505 Quayle Rd.
The gardens are wheelchair accessible. Leashed dogs are welcome.
The regular parking lot is reserved for drop-offs, bicycles, and vehicles of people with disabilities. Parking is available at a field on Beaver Road (there will be volunteers to guide you) or angle parking along the fenced side of Quayle Road.
For more information, go to hcp.ca/artsandmusic.
See stars and sleep under them
Star Gaze is an evening of stargazing for the whole family at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse Historical Sites on Friday. You can explore the night sky through large telescopes brought in by the Royal Astronomical Society.
Children can create star-themed crafts, listen to traditional storytelling and join the Species at Risk Team for additional evening activities.
You can gather by a large campfire to tell stargazing stories and sing songs. Sweet treats and hot beverages will be available for purchase. You can camp out experience sleeping within the walls of an authentic fortress.
Regular admission to the site applies. Additional fees apply for overnight stay. Reservations required at stargaze2019.bpt.me.
The event runs from 7 to 11:30 p.m. Friday at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse Historical Sites, 603 Fort Rodd Hill. For details, go to Facebook.
Bowlers target national title
Watch the best young lawn bowlers from across Canada in action at the 2019 Canadian Youth Lawn Bowling Championships, continuing today until Saturday at the Q Centre Arena in Colwood.
Hosted by the Juan De Fuca Lawn Bowling Club, the annual event is free to watch. Rounds start at 8:30 a.m. today to Saturday. For details, go to bowlscanada.com/en/championship/2019champ_youth.html.
