See first-hand the equipment and military assets the Canadian Armed Forces use in the defence of Canada at Defence on the Dock, an open house put on by Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Sunday.
You don’t have to go to the base to discover the changes, as Defence on the Dock brings CFB Esquimalt to you by staging the open house at Ogden Point, with a collection of interactive displays and demonstrations from units found at the base.
Highlights of the day will include tours on three ships: HMCS Vancouver, Whitehorse and Chicoutimi, a chance to see the CH-149 Cormorant helicopter up close, demonstrations from the Fleet Diving Unit and a search and rescue demonstration.
“Defence on the Dock is a chance to see what happens every day behind the gates of CFB Esquimalt,” said Capt. Jason Boyd, Base Commander of CFBEsquimalt. “This free and fun family event is an opportunity for everyone to meet our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen as well as take part in interactive displays, tour ships and see numerous vehicles up close.
“We hope this helps show how diverse the local defence community is, and what a large part it plays in the region.”
Displays include military vehicles and interactive and dynamic hands-on displays including artifacts recovered from Esquimalt Harbour environmental projects and cadet displays.
Participants get a chance to interact with military and civilian personnel, including members from the Naval Tactical Operations Group, who work on the base. And there will be a chance to learn about the activities and missions that they are engaged in on a daily basis.
Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by music from the Naden and the 5th Field Regiment bands.
There will be ample family-friendly activities, as well as information on both military and civilian career opportunities.
All three ships will be open for tours starting at 10 a.m. (no high heels), and rigid-hulled inflatable boat rides start at 10:30 a.m. (children must be 50 inches or taller).
A flypast by a CP-140 Aurora and a CH-149 Cormorant takes place during the day as well as a demonstration by the SkyHawks parachute team.
Food trucks will be on site and there will be water refill stations.
The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Ogden Point cruise ship terminal.
Opening ceremonies are at 10:30 a.m. with a First Nations blessing and welcome from the base commander.
Bicycle parking/lock up is available. The site is served by B.C. Transit route No. 2.
For more information, go to cafconnection.ca or Facebook.
Salt Spring festival takes bite out of apples
Spend a day sampling more than 450 varieties of organically grown apples at the Salt Spring Island Apple Festival, Sunday at various venues on Salt Spring Island.
This is the 19th year for the event, which boasts the biggest selection of apples in Canada in one place. The show’s motto is: A chance to visit Apple Heaven while still on Earth.
The festival includes apple tastings, farm tours, information on growing trees, apple art and food created by local chefs.
You can visit about 20 farms, many not typically open to the public, to both taste the fruit and see the trees from where they were picked. Different varieties of apples will also be on display at Fulford Hall.
You can also purchase some trees from the farmers. Some, such as dwarf varieties, are already potted and available to take home immediately, while others can be pre-ordered for pickup in the spring.
Learn about organic apple growing or consult with apple experts, who will be on hand to try to identify apples brought to the event.
The island’s connection with apple production dates back to the 1860s, when local orchards supplied fruit to both the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island markets.
Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sept. 30 at Fulford Hall, 2591 Fulford Ganges Rd., and at various orchards (a map of participating farms is included with admission).
Tickets are available at Fulford Hall and the Ganges Tourist Information Centre, 121 Lower Ganges Rd. For more information, go to saltspringapplefestival.org.
Corn maze helps raise funds for Lions food bank
The Pendray Farms Corn Maze starts its season with an opportunity to both challenge the brain as well as raise food and funds for the Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank at the same time, Saturday, at the North Saanich farm.
The event, co-hosted by Werner Mayburry Wealth Management, features six different trails to get lost and found in.
There will also be a number of activities highlighting the various products of this local, sustainable farm.
The Saanich Peninsula Lions Food Bank will be on site all day collecting non-perishable food items and cash donations.
Admission is $14 for ages 13 and older, $6 for children four to 12 and free for children three and under. On-site donation allows one child per family in for free.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Pendray Farms, 9537 West Saanich Rd., North Saanich.
The corn maze is open Fridays to Sundays until Oct. 29. For more information, go to pendrayfarms.ca.
Circus brings big top to Bullen Park
The circus is back in town as the American Crown Circus and Circo Osorio set up their big top in Bullen Park, Esquimalt, today until Sunday.
The Las Vegas-based circus is in Victoria as part of their 220-city tour across Canada and the Untied States.
This is the first time the circus, established in 1927, will perform their gravity-defying acts in Victoria.
Tickets are $25 adults, free for two children 10 and under with paying adult. Shows are at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3:30, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday and 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Bullen Park, 527 Fraser St., Esquimalt.
UVic session revisits Great War
Reflect on the legacy left in Victoria by the First World War at Victoria and the Great War — A Global Conflict and a City’s Legacy, an afternoon gathering hosted by the Department of History at the University of Victoria, Saturday at the university.
The First World War was a global watershed that also shaped Victoria and Vancouver Island. Join faculty from the Department of History to delve into topics such as wartime propaganda and technological developments inspired by the conflict and the role of European colonies in the conflict.
A session will also discuss Victoria’s First World War history, local commemorations and exhibits.
The event is free but registration is required. It runs 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday in Room 167 of the Elliott Building at the university, 3800 Finnerty Rd. Register online at eventbrite.ca. Search for Victoria and the Great War. For more information, go to events.uvic.ca/cal/view/event/event_id/7796.
Church service reserved for animal blessing
Animal lovers can have their pets — living or deceased — blessed or remembered at the Blessing of the Animals Service on Sunday at St. Luke Cedar Hill Anglican Church.
The service coincides with the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, regarded as the patron saint of animals.
Sunday’s service is short, about 30 minutes long and geared toward children, families and all pet lovers. People can bring their pets to the service — or just a picture.
The service starts at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke’s Church, 3821 Cedar Hill Cross Rd. (corner of Cedar Hill Road). For more information, call 250-477-6741 or go to stlukesvictoria.ca/events.
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