Image: 

The Classic Boat Festival is presented by the Victoria Real Estate Board.

Every Labour Day Long Weekend Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the place to be when classic sail and power boats from throughout the Pacific Coast and beyond arrive for the Classic Boat Festival. This is the premier wooden boat show in the Pacific Northwest, drawing more than 200 vessels in a wide variety of categories from Steam Launches to gaff rigged Schooners. 2003 marked the 26th anniversary of the festival. The festival officially begins at noon on Fridays with the arrival in the Inner Harbour of the year’s Honorary Commodore.

This show breaks boats into three categories; sail, power and steam. Forty boats were entered in the sail category, ranging in vintage from 1897 to the 50’s and in length from 30 to 85 feet. Dorothy, a 30 foot fantail cutter, was built in Victoria in 1897 by shipwright John Jacobson. Dorothy is the oldest floating Canadian sailing vessel in British Columbia and was donated to the Maritime Museum of British Columbia in 1995.

The highlight of the festival takes place on Sunday mornings with the Sailpast. All vessels leave the Inner Harbour to take the salute from the Honorary Commodore. On the Sunday afternoon, spectators enjoy the annual Schooner Cup and Classic Open Sail races. On the Saturday afternoon, spectators can see the delightful parade of steamboats cruising the Gorge Waterway. The steamboats leave the Inner Harbour around 2 p.m. There is no admission charge for spectators to view the vessels in the Festival.

Information for boaters

Image: 

Every Labour Day weekend

Every Labour Day weekend including Saturday, Sunday and Monday the Saanich Fall Fair open from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Monday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. is western Canada’s oldest continual Agricultural Fair with judging, midway, games and more.

Visit the Saanich Fair in Central Saanich, held every Labour Day weekend and still thriving after 137 years. What started out as 10 pioneer farmers back in 1868 has now grown to amazing proportions. Today, the Saanich Fair has three times more exhibits than the PNE, and more than 5,000 entries in 26 sections. For more information about activities at the Saanich Fair call 652-3314.

Rabbits are the special feature at this weekend’s Hop Along To The 138th Saanich Fair.The venerable celebration of agriculture and family fun at 1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd. in Saanichton is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.
Horse shows, dog shows, 4-H activities, and the Farmers’ Market are at the heart of this annual fair that also includes midway rides and lots of good food.

“The fair is a real family-oriented event,” explained Gloria Dol, office manager. “This year we’ll have a costumed Alice lead people through the rabbit hole to our baking section, where there will be lots of samples from bake shops. Also new this year is the Star Lab Planetarium, a new milking parlour built by members of the Saanich Fair Society, a children’s’ ice cream eating contest, and a magician with a live rabbit.

“The children’s play zone from last year has been updated with an agricultural flair, too.”
There is a full schedule of live entertainment at the fair. Virtual Elvis is scheduled to perform Saturday night at 8 p.m. Sunday night’s performances by Bijoux du Bayou and The Trees promise to be exciting too. Skaky Ground bring their classic rock to the fair on Monday afternoon.

Tickets to the fair are $8, $5 for seniors and youth seven to 13 years old, and children under six free on Saturday and Sunday. On Monday, tickets are $7, $4 for seniors and youth, and children under six free. All-day wrist bands for the midway rides are $25 on Saturday and Sunday, $20 on Monday.

There is plenty of free parking at the fair, and the #75 bus stops right beside the fairground entrance.

Displays provided by community florists and horticulturists will be intertwined with livestock and exhibits around the grounds.

An added attraction The Ultimate BMX Stunt Show with exciting thrills three times on both Saturday and Sunday at the west end of the Fair. The Artifacts Society is returning with machinery and gadgets for all ages to enjoy. The midway has two new rides - Carousel and Drop Zone! Continuous stage shows daily. Usual events include livestock both inside and out, horse and dog shows, 4-H displays, judged exhibits, a growing Junior Section, Farmer’s Market, Commercial Booths, model boat show, and much more!

Monday is wrist-band day, and all rides after 11am for $20.

Parking is free, but dogs are not allowed on the premises because of the livestock. Gates open at 8. For good parking, get there early!

Every year there is continuous entertainment on the mainstage. There is a great lineup booked already for this year’s Fair. The Saanich Artifacts will be among those special attractions returning to the Fair. You’ll get a close look at the Peninsula’s pioneering history and, with their old-time equipment displays, see how farming was done in days gone by.
For the thrill seekers, there is a full midway. A ride-all-day wristband will be available on Monday for $20. There will be Draft Horse show, dog shows, scarecrow and pumpkin contests, and model boat races, to name a few of the exciting events happening all weekend. You won’t want to miss the Direct Farm Market area, where you can buy fresh veggies and fruit, homemade breads, jams, jellies and ostrich products and much more, all available for sale during the three days of the Fair. Another shopping area is the 60 commercial booths.

Saturday & Sunday: Adults $8, Youth (7 to 13) & Seniors $5

Monday: Adults $7, Youth/Senior $4

Free admission for children under 6

Image: 

The Luxton Fairgrounds are at 1040 Marwood Ave. just off of Sooke Road, with plenty of free parking available.

• Displays and Exhibits, Rabbits and Poultry

• Midway rides and Games

• Blacksmithing and Antique Farm Equipment

• Live Stage Entertainment

• Museum displays of Metchosin and Luxton History