Victorian-era costumes and big feathered hats dominate the scene at Ogden Point. But for the official greeters from Victoria AM, the most striking image is the smiles on visitors' faces.
"When you see the cruise-ship passengers, or any other city visitors on the streets, and how delighted they are and how often they ask to have a picture taken with their families, that alone sells the concept," said Rod Burkhart, president of the Victoria AM Association.
On Oct. 26, members, supporters and sponsors of Victoria AM will meet, in costume, in the Pacific Ballroom of the Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour Hotel to celebrate greeting 229 cruise ships this season. Burkhart said that number of ships, sometimes at the rate of three, four and, on one occasion, five in one day, keeps everybody jumping, from dockyard workers to Canada Customs crews and the corps of costumed greeters.
Each ship brings an average of 3,000 passengers, which can be a big load of visitors for any city.
"With that number of ships, the pressure is really on for everybody, really, from the people who tie up the ships to customs people; everybody is busy - and in sleepy little Victoria," Burkhart said.
Victoria AM started in the early 1980s as a way for business people to network at 7 a.m. breakfasts.
The job of greeting the cruise ships was handed over by the Chamber of Commerce a few years later. Greeting visitors is now the group's most visible activity. Many of the 50-odd greeters - about half the members - have purchased or made their own Victorian-or Edwardian-era costumes.
But the group also has a supply for anyone who wants to be involved.
Burkhart agreed the "little England" image of Victoria might be a little tired. But that doesn't mean there isn't good cause for wearing period costumes.
"The Tweed Curtain, Oak Bay and a little bit of Old England - that's really kind of disappeared," he said. "But the fact that we are named after one of the most notable queens ever in the British Empire and it was a time when this part of the world was opening up is sufficient reason to pay homage to that era."
Tickets for the Oct. 26 ball and fundraiser are on sale for $80. Go to victoriaam.com for details. [email protected]
