Get ready for fresh, locally grown produce, baked goods and prepared food as outdoor markets start up again for the season this weekend.
The Moss Street Market, one of the oldest and largest in the region, celebrates its 25th regular season on Saturday with a lineup of more than 20 local organic farmers and 75 craft, food and services vendors. There is a little something for everyone, with produce grown by local farmers, food prepared by local cooks and handicrafts by local artisans. The shopping experience is enhanced by musicians, coffee and special event days such as the annual Moss Street Paint-In, set for July 16 this year. Admission is free. The market runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday until Oct. 26 outdoors at the Sir James Douglas school grounds (corner of Moss Street and Fairfield Road). For information, go to mossstreetmarket.com.
The James Bay Community Market also returns Saturday, with handmade, homemade and homegrown products and produce. Organizers boast that they have the best free live music in town every Saturday.
Located just two minutes from the Inner Harbour and the legislature buildings, the market features locally produced products from award-winning artisans.
Admission is free. The market runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday until Sept. 24 at 494 Superior St. (corner of Menzies Street). For information, go to jamesbaymarket.com.
The two join a growing list of farmers, artists, entertainers and other vendors who have set up shop in 18 open-air markets in the region. Markets can be found from Bastion Square in downtown Victoria to Sidney, Sooke, Goldstream, Metchosin and as far afield as Duncan. Changes to liquor laws mean many markets, including Moss Street and James Bay, now offer tastings and sales of craft beer, wine and spirits.
Celebrate family and friends at Vaisakhi festival
Join the south Asian community in celebrating Vaisakhi, a cultural and religious festival, at the Vancouver Island Vaisakhi Mela 2016 on Saturday.
The festival is one of the most important events in the Sikh calendar. It’s one of three annual Sikh festivals, including Maghi, which marks the winter solstice, and Diwali, the festival of lights, which symbolizes the triumph over spiritual darkness.
“The Vaisakhi celebration is about sharing with family and friends,” said Gordy Dodd, president of the organizers, the India Canada Cultural Association.
“I firmly believe that when a community gathers in sharing its food, culture, music, art and dance, then our whole community of Victoria gains a sense of tranquility, equality and belonging that is spiritually healing.”
Vaisakhi has been celebrated for centuries in every part of India. It is celebrated as a harvest festival in the Punjab region of India and has special significance for many of the religious and cultural groups in India, including Tamils, Buddhists and Hindus.
Saturday’s all-day festival includes performances by Victoria Punjabi arts and culture groups, including D J A Slam, Shaan R Punjab, the Royal Academy of Bhangra, Bollywood Beats and even Scottish Bhangra.
Festival-goers can have henna temporary tattoos applied, buy Indian fashions, attend a health clinic and browse dozens of arts and cultural booths.
Children can enjoy inflatable amusements, games, face painting and pony rides.
Several well-known Indian restaurants will be on hand supplying food and sweets.
Admission is free, but some activities include a small fee. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stelly’s Cross Rd. There is free transportation to the event from the Sikh Temple, 1210 Topaz St., with stops along the way. Details at iccavictoria.com or Facebook.
Handmade for Mom
Three crafts groups are hosting shows and sales this weekend, just in time t4o pick up that perfect Mother’s Day present.
The Victoria Quilters’ Guild is hosting Colour in Motion, a quilt show and sale that runs from Friday to Sunday.
Members of the guild have contributed more than 250 quilts to hang at show, from traditional hand quilts to modern and fibre art displays.
There will be demonstrations, a merchant mall, a guild store and refreshments on hand.
A weekend pass is $5. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd. For more information, go to victoriaquiltersguild.org.
The Pacific Rim Potters group is holding its 30th annual spring exhibition and sale on Saturday and Sunday.
The event showcases the works of 10 artists who have to put together a classy and eclectic show of functional and sculptural pottery to suit every taste and budget. Regulars Cindy Gibson, Darrel Hancock, Nora Lewin, Peggy Elmes, Betty Burroughs, Linda Vigliotti and Ester Galac have been joined this show by guests Belle Leon, Nancy Wall and Debbie Elkins.
The event is free and runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Knox Presbyterian Church hall, 2964 Richmond St. The venue is wheelchair-accessible, with free refreshments, free parking and door prizes by raffle. For information, go to gobc.ca/tours/pacific-rim-potters-spring-show_72.
On Saturday, Moonrise Creative presents Moonrise Market, featuring “a unique and talented group of makers, bakers, farmers and creatives.”
The market features handmade goods, mini workshops, food vendors and more at Ogden Point, Pier B, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Moonrise Creative is a group of women brought together by a shared passion for fibre arts and creativity, who organize workshops, gatherings and events with the goal of creating a collaborative community of artists and makers.
Treat Mother to a paint-in
Treat mom royally on Sunday with a visit to the Royal Roads University’s Mother’s Day Paint-In and Craft Fair.
This is the 21st year of the community outdoor festival, which is expected to attract more than 3,000 visitors to take in a day of live musical entertainment on the main stage. Performers include the Sooke Philharmonic String Quartet, West Shore Community Concert Band and Royal Bay Secondary R&B Band.
Challenge your children’s creativity with fun activities and crafts provided by West Shore Parks and Recreation staff and local entertainers.
Free admission to the event as well as the spring-blooming gardens of Hatley Park National Historic Site, the site of the university.
Parking is $5 all day. The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the university, 2005 Sooke Rd. For more information, go to royalroads.ca/event/mothers-day-paint-and-craft-fair.
Behind the scenes with Saanich artists
Throughout the month of May, artists living in Saanich open their doors to welcome visitors into their studios for behind-the-scenes tours of their works and where they create.
Scheduled events include the Garth Homer Society ArtWorks Artists Tour today and the Cadboro Bay/Gordon Head Artists Tour Saturday and Sunday.
Tours feature both well-known and emerging local artists, and works include painting, glass, ceramics, textiles, jewelry and sculpture.
Tours are free. Each tour offers a listing of artists and a map to find your way. The ArtWorks tour runs from 1 to 4 p.m. today at the ArtWork artist studio and gallery at the Garth Homer Centre, 813 Darwin Ave. Details at garthhomersociety.org.
The Cadboro Bay/Gordon Head Artists Tour runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 14 studios in the municipality. For information, including a downloadable map, go to gobc.ca/tours/cadboro-bay-gordon-head-artists-tour_27.
Quadra Village throws a wing ding
Enjoy a free pancake breakfast, music, dance and a variety of fun activities at Quadra Village Day, Saturday.
This is the 14th year of the family-friendly event, which typically attracts more than 4,000 people across the region to sample Hillside-Quadra community hospitality.
There will be two stages with musical entertainment, with local bands Downtown Mischief and Everybody Left performing on the main stage. Organizers won’t reveal the name of a surprise band until event day.
Attendees can join in carnival games, clay play with Hands on Pottery, Mother’s Day plant potting, Mother’s Day crafts, face painting and more. Community groups will have information tables set up.
People are encouraged to travel to the event by bus, bike, car-pool and foot as parking is limited. Some parking available at CDI College (access off Hillside Avenue). Parking regulations are enforced on surrounding streets.
The free event runs 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Kings Road. The pancake breakfast runs 9:30 to 11 a.m.
For information, go to quadravillagecc.com.
Set the stage for an active summer
Give your children a taste of an active summer at the Island Savings Family Sport and Recreation Festival at the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence on Saturday.
Hosted by the Greater Victoria Hall of Fame and PISE, the family-friendly event features more than 30 sport, recreation and healthy-living activities for children to try. Options include games, an Adrenaline zip line (by donation), outdoor rock climbing, tennis, wheelchair basketball and rugby, orienteering, karate and more.
The goal is to inspire families to be more active.
The event is free and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at PISE, 4371 Interurban Rd. For more information, go to piseworld.com.
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