All aboard for the Model Railway Show on Sunday
Bend down, cock your head to one side and you might hear the “All Aboard!” announcement by the miniature railroad station master as the rolling stock gets moving at the Victoria Model Railway Show, Sunday at the Mary Winspear Centre.
This is the 31st anniversary of the show, put on by members of the Victoria Model Railway Club.
Members will be bringing examples of different scale (sized) trains — HO, Lionel O and Garden-scale — with HO making up 65 per cent of hobby trains.
Up to four trains and up to 20 box cars will constantly be on the move during the show, running on a 40 by 60-foot highly-detailed model railroad diorama at the centre of the room.
You will see a CNR freight train, a logging train with a Shay locomotive or a GE 44-ton switcher (a diesel-electric locomotive built between 1940 and 1956 typically used for light switching duties) at the show.
“There has been an increase in the number of people to the hobby, thanks to COVID-19,” said Ted Alexis, a member of the Victoria Model Railway Club. “During the pandemic people were looking for things to do and discovered, or rediscovered, the hobby.”
He said that the two main demographics are seniors and youth.
But younger children are not forgotten, with a “fabulous” Lego layout planned, said Alexis
Visitors wanting to add to their collection can buy or swap a large array of new or used model train-related items found on more than 50 tables.
The show, which organizers expect to draw up to 1,300 visitors, supports the Times Colonist Christmas Fund and C-FAX’s Santa’s Anonymous.
Admission is $8 for adults, $7 youth and National Model Railroad Association members, $16 family and free for children eight and under if accompanied by an adult. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 24 at the Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave., Sidney.
For more information, call Ted Alexis at 250-595-4070 or go to Facebook.
Luxton Fall Fair a celebration of agriculture in the region
The Westshore celebrates its agricultural roots with the Luxton Fall Fair, at the Luxton Fairgrounds, Friday to Sunday.
This is the 113th year the fair, jointly hosted by the Metchosin Farmers Institute and Luxton Fair Committee.
The event features chicken agility races, antique farm equipment, blacksmithing and a display on the history of Happy Valley at the Heritage Museum.
Check out the various entries and winners in the baking, vegetables, photographs and kids crafts competitions.
Watch wheat berries being ground into flour, learn how to ferment or can food, view local art or watch a miniature train display.
If you get hungry, you can grab a piece of homemade pie with ice cream or bite into a hot corn on the cob.
The midway features rides and games until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is by donation. The fair runs 3 to 10 p.m. for the midway only on Friday. The displays at the fair are open noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. The event is held at the Luxton Fairgrounds, 1040 Marwood Ave., Langford.
Parking entrance is now off Sooke Road, across from Ronald Road. The fairgrounds is on B.C. Transit route 55 Happy Valley and cyclists can reach it via the Galloping Goose Regional Trail.
For more information, go to luxtonfair.ca
A display of naval pomp and circumstance at Victoria City Hall
Members of the public are invited to watch a rare display of naval pomp and circumstance as HMCS Malahat, Victoria’s Naval Reserve Division, exercises its Freedom of the City as part of events taking place across the country celebrating the centennial of the Naval Reserve, at Victoria City Hall, Saturday.
The Naval Reserve is marking its 100 years of service to Canada with special events at each of their 24 divisions across the country.
On Vancouver Island members will march through the city to the doorstep of City Hall as part of a Freedom of the City exercise. The last time this event was celebrated was during the Naval Reserve’s 75th anniversary in 1998.
“As a true naval city, the bond between Victoria and HMCS Malahat is a special one,” said Lieutenant-Commander Anne Gardam, HMCS Malahat commanding officer. “We are deeply grateful to the City of Victoria for allowing us the honour and privilege of exercising our Freedom of the City in this momentous year, the 100th anniversary of the Naval Reserve.”
The tradition of granting Freedom of the City to a military unit goes back more than 300 years. Freedom of the City grants a specific military unit the privilege to march through the city with “drums beating, colours flying and bayonets fixed.”
It is a prized honour, for it demonstrates the trust the citizenry has in the military to protect them.
Naval Reservists are citizen sailors, members of the Royal Canadian Navy while remaining civilians.
There will be up to 90 personnel marching in formation, including the Naden Band. They will step off from the corner of Wharf and Broughton streets at around 9:45 a.m., proceed north along Wharf Street, east on Fort Street, North on Government Street, east on Pandora Avenue, arriving at Centennial Square at 10 a.m.
Once the unit is assembled, Lieutenant-Commander Gardam will approach the door of City Hall and knock on it three times with the pommel of her sword to request admittance to the city from the mayor of Victoria.
Guests are asked to be seated by 9:55 a.m., with the ceremony commencing at 10 a.m. and lasting approximately 30 minutes.
The other major event surrounding the centennial of the Naval Reserve this year takes place Oct. 28 when HMCS Malahat hosts an open house for members of the public as well as current and former service members and their families.
The event includes displays, activities and demonstrations, including Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat rides.
During the open house, HMCS Malahat will premier a documentary film prepared specifically for the celebrations.
The open house runs 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 28 at HMCS Malahat, 20 Huron St.
For more information on either of the events, go to facebook.com/HMCSNCSMMalahat or contact [email protected].
