Full steam ahead for rail fans
Toot, toot. All aboard for the 29th annual Victoria Model Railway Show, Sunday at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre.
See rolling history in miniature with almost 1,700 square metres of fully operating and highly-detailed model railroad layouts.
Members of the Victoria Model Railway Club will present displays of N, HO (the most popular scale of model railway, making up 65 per cent of the hobby), Lionel O and Garden-scale trains.
Younger children can check out the Lego and Brio layouts.
The event, which attracts up to 1,500 people every year, is an opportunity for people to chat with model railroad hobbyists.
Attendees can choose from new or used model train-related items offered by more than 35 commercial and individual vendors, as well as swap tables. There will be hourly door prizes.
The show supports the Times Colonist Christmas Fund and C-FAX's Santa’s Anonymous.
Admission is $7 for adults, $6 youth and National Model Railroad Association members, $15 family and free for children eight and under if accompanied by an adult. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the curling rink at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, 1767 Island Hwy., Colwood.
There is free parking or you can take B.C. Transit No. 50. For details, call Ted Alexis at 250-595-4070 or go to Facebook.
Sample a taste of Croatian food and culture
Enjoy Croatian hospitality and culture as the Croatian Cultural Society of Victoria hosts its first CROfest, Saturday and Sunday on the grounds of the Croatian Catholic Church of St. Leopold Mandic.
This two-day cultural festival will feature authentic Croatian cuisine, cultural performances, a Croatian cultural artifact display and a children’s entertainment area.
Dine on traditional lamb and pork, cevapcice (a grilled dish of minced meat, a type of kabob), fritule (miniature doughnuts), crepes and other delicious Croatian cuisine.
There will be entertainment throughout the day, including Croatian folklore group Zagreb and dancing to the tunes of Croaton and Obala, Victoria’s local Croatian bands, in the evening.
Don’t miss the wine tasting or authentic Croatian olive oil.
A professional stylist will provide demonstrations in traditional hair-braiding.
You can also enter for a chance to win a trip for two to Croatia (value $3,000).
The Croatian Cultural Society of Victoria promotes the social, cultural, and educational standards of the Croatian people in Victoria.
Part proceeds from the event will go toward the Salvation Army’s shelters program for homeless youth.
The event is free to attend.
It runs from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday on the grounds of the Croatian Catholic Church of St. Leopold Mandic, 4081 Gordon Head Rd.
For more information, go to Facebook, email [email protected] or call 250-658-4873.
The best of boats docked in Sidney
Get onboard the boat of your dreams — be it a luxury yacht, sailboat, power boat or fishing boat — at the B.C. Boat Show, today until Sunday at the Port Sidney Marina.
Touted as the largest in- the-water boat show on the West Coast, the event is hosted by the B.C. Yacht Brokers Association.
The four-day show, with more than 1,000 metres of dock space showcasing about 200 boats, will appeal to those new to the boating scene and the experienced sailor.
This year, show-goers can check out the Sealegs amphibious boats. The aluminum-bodied craft, manufactured by a New Zealand-based company, has a hydraulic system that deploys three wheels that allow it to be driven onto the shore.
The versatile boats can travel up to 39 knots in the water and 7.5 kilometres per hour on land.
Along with boats, more than 225 vendors from all over the Pacific Northwest will be on hand promoting items necessary for an on-the-water lifestyle. They will have everything from outboards, dinghies, navigation equipment, rigging, chandlery, clothing and a host of boating and fishing gear.
Those thirsty or hungry can hop aboard a floating beer garden for a drink or snack.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children 16 and under (with paying adult) at the gate or $8 and $6 respectively online. You can also get a $20 weekend (four-day) pass online.
The show runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Port Sidney Marina, 9835 Seaport Pl., Sidney. For more information, go to bcyba.com.
Pros offer advice on keeping a pet
See a wide variety of products and services at the Victoria Pet Expo, aimed at educating and entertaining the public about the wonderful world of pets, Saturday and Sunday at Pearkes Recreation Centre.
Shop for all of your pets — whether you have a dog, cat, fish or bird — under one roof. You can also talk with professionals, who will answer your questions or provide advice about your pets.
There will be family-friendly entertainment and hands-on attractions.
Talk to representatives from breeder clubs, veterinary and medical services, pet adoption agencies and more. You are welcome to bring your pet, but it must be well-behaved, fully controlled and have a signed waiver.
Admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors and students. It runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.
For more details, go to victoriapetexpo.com.
Kids stay active with host of sports
Children can choose from more than 30 activities at the 10th annual Family Sport and Recreation Festival, Saturday at the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence.
At this free drop-in event, children and their parents can learn more about opportunities available to help children engage in healthy activities at club and community level this summer.
The festival features activities including rock-climbing, tennis, obstacle courses, adapted sports, golf and more. Children are encouraged to be more active and play their way to confidence, skill development and more.
This year, there is a kids dash, a fun run around the track, at 11 a.m. for children 10 and under.
The festival is organized by the Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame and PISE.
Admission is free. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The institute is at 4371 Interurban Rd.
More information can be found here.
Fairfield artists put on a show
Admire the works of more than 20 Fairfield and Gonzales area artists with a tour their studios at the Fairfield Artists Studio Tour, Saturday and Sunday at various venues.
In its 18th year, the annual self-guided tour provides art-lovers an opportunity to meet local artists who work on paint, sculpture, pottery, fabric, jewelry, glass, photography and more. Most artists will be offering works for sale.
You can walk, cycle or drive around the neighbourhood using free tour brochures that include a map with locations and artist information.
The event is free. It runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Get a brochure at Fairfield Community Place, 1330 Fairfield Rd., Thrifty Foods, 1590 Fairfield Rd. or download one at fairfieldartistsstudiotour.com.
