Discover the history and heritage of Canada’s Navy on the West Coast and the military on southern Vancouver Island at the annual Open House at the CFB Esquimalt Naval and Military Museum, Saturday at Naden.
The museum focuses on four distinct military groups that have made an impact on Canada’s history: the Navy on the West Coast; the Canadian Women’s Army Corps; the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service and the West Coast Defences.
In addition to exhibits and displays, the museum houses an archive and library that includes thousands of photographs and documents.
The collection includes histories of Canadian naval vessels, navigation charts, biographies of important leaders in the Royal Canadian Navy, ship plans and copies of the Navy List.
Family-friendly activities at the open house include an inflatable amusement, button-making, military vehicles and
re-enactors, bubble blowing, snow cones, a pirate camp and an artist in residence.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the museum, Historic Museum Square at Naden, off Admirals Road in Esquimalt. Enter at the Naden main gate off Admirals Road and follow the blue lines.
Adults need government-issued photo identification for admission.
For more information, go to navalandmilitarymuseum.org.
You’ll be amazed by what sculptors can create from sand
Master sand sculptors from around the world are in Parksville to create their entries in the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition, Friday to Sunday.
People are invited to watch the competitors race against the clock (they have 30 hours over four days) to create their masterpieces from sand, water and a lot of ingenuity. The event begins with a “pound up” today, in which sculptors build and fill their forms. Once the forms are suitably packed, they begin carving.
This year’s theme is Wild Things — From Here to the Galapagos.
You can watch the carving take place beginning at 2 p.m. Friday.
Judging takes place on Sunday with the winners announced at about 5:30 p.m.
Last year, more than 130,000 visitors toured the sculpture exhibition, which is open to viewing until Aug. 19. They can vote for the winner of the People’s Choice award, which begins after judging has been completed.
Bring your own buckets and shovels to create a little sandcastle magic of your own after viewing the sculptures. You can learn the tricks of the trade at the Coastal Community Sculpting Zone, which will host free sand-sculpting demonstrations on Saturday and Sunday
Although the venue is a sand pit, organizers pack the sand down in order to make a harder surface. Wheelchairs generally do not have much difficulty on the surface. A wheelchair is available for use on a first-come first-serve basis.
The event is organized by the Parksville Beach Festival Society.
Admission to the exhibition is by a suggested donation of $3. Every year, organizers donate close to $60,000 to support local non-profit organizations and volunteer community groups.
The competition portion of the event runs from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The exhibition is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until Aug. 19 at Parksville’s Community Park, 141 East Island Hwy., Parksville (next to the Lion’s Venture Land Playground and Water Spray Park).
For more information, go to parksvillebeachfest.ca.
Take a look at what’s out there
Stick your head in the stars all summer long as the Centre of the Universe interpretive centre opens to the public Tuesday to Friday, adjacent to the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory on West Saanich Road.
This year, the centre celebrates 100 years since the opening and first light (first use of the telescope) of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory.
The visitor’s centre will have on display DAO100, a 1:10 scale model exhibit from the Royal B.C. Museum, a historic gallery and virtual reality programs.
The event is hosted by the Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory Society, which promotes public science outreach from the observatory.
The facility includes the heritage Plaskett Dome, a Planetarium and a research-grade 16-inch telescope, which is available for viewing through an eyepiece.
The facilities are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday to Friday, until the end of summer.
Visitors can also attend Saturday Star Parties, 7:15 p.m. Saturdays until Sept. 1 (the site will be closed on July 28 for construction).
The event is free, but you must register for tickets. For more information, go to thecentreoftheuniverse.net.
Oak Bay hosts music series
Bring a blanket and picnic to enjoy live music in a beautiful setting as Oak Bay Parks Recreation and Culture serves up another season of Free Summer Concert in the Park, today at Willows Beach Park.
The artists performing tonight are Anne Schaefer and Sean Drabitt. The opening act is the Jaimey Hamilton Band. Upcoming artists include Four Chords of Wood, Brandy Moore and the Nightcaps, and Black Angus.
The event is free. It runs from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Willows Beach Park, Dalhousie Street at Beach Drive.
You can also grab your yoga mat and join in a free yoga session led by instructors from Recreation Oak Bay from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday (the event repeats every Tuesday evening until Aug. 28) at Willows Beach Park. For more information on either event, go to oakbay.ca/parks-recreation.
Alliance puts on Bastille Day party
Celebrate Bastille Day, the National Day of the French Republic, with members of the Alliance Française de Victoria at the Monterey Recreation Centre in Oak Bay on Saturday.
The party will feature Gypsy jazz and French tunes by the Cold Cut Combo trio.
A cold buffet, including sandwiches, salads, raw vegetables, dessert, tea and coffee is included in admission. A cash bar will have French wine.
Tickets are $20. The event runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Monterey Recreation Centre is at 1442 Monterey Ave. There is ample free parking on site. Tickets are available at Eventbrite or call 250-370-7300. See afvictoria.ca.
Gardens call for music and lights
Turn a flower-filled day into an entertainment-filled evening as Butchart Gardens turns on the lights at night and fills the air with music and lights the sky with fireworks until Sept. 1.
The 22-hectare National Historic Site of Canada, which welcomes more than one million visitors every year, is delightful during the day.
But up to Sept. 15 the gardens will be open later, with the grounds remaining open until 11 p.m.
The attraction calls the time after dusk Night Illuminations, when a play of artificial light creates shadows as it transitions from daylight to night.
The gardens also fill with the sounds of live performances — a mixture of local musicians and world-renowned artists — every evening. Music ranges from big band, to jazz, to bluegrass and classical. Tania Miller will conduct the Victoria Symphony later in the month.
“There is so much local talent and we take pride in featuring these performers each year. It is very much part of our strategy to promote local talent,” said Craig Moddle, manager of arts and entertainment.
“In addition, we are thrilled to announce that Alan Doyle, the iconic Newfoundland singer-songwriter and best known as the lead singer of Great Big Sea, will be our special event on July 18.”
The open-air performances are included in the price of regular admission.
On Saturday nights throughout July and August, people can stay after the musical entertainment to watch an impressive firework show, with the pyrotechnic spectacle choreographed to music.
Admission is $33.10 adults, $16.55 youth 13 to 17 and $3 for children five to 12. The grounds are open from 8:45 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily until Sept. 2.
The attraction is at 800 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay. The gardens can be reached via B.C. Transit routes 75 and 81.
For more information, go to butchartgardens.com.
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