September 28, 2011 | Tips from Travellers >
Victoria, Festivals & Events
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Metchosin Day is an annual event celebrating the rural coastal community of Metchosin. This was my first time attending and I was really excited at the wonderful collaborative spirit present and the obvious pride Metchosinites take in their community.
Metchosin Day starts with a 5km run/walk, followed by a pancake breakfast. All day long there is live music (with local acts such as the high school jazz band) and entertainment, including a beer garden! My favourite event was the pet show, which included dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits and even miniature ponies. Every animal entered received a ribbon, for categories such as “happiest pet” and “softest fur”.
Many local vendors and craftspeople were present as well, selling handmade clothing, jams and preserves, and locally grown produce. Plenty of tasty food was available as well, including bannock, buttered corn on the cob and, the grand finale of the day, a lamb and salmon dinner. The lamb and salmon are cooked on display throughout the day over a constantly burning fire, so the end result is smoky and delicious.
Not only is Metchosin Day tons of fun, Metchosin itself is very beautiful and worth a visit any time. I can’t wait for next year!
November 03, 2009 | 2010 Olympics >
Victoria, Festivals & Events
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On Friday October 30, 2009, I was in Victoria to watch the start of the Olympic Torch Relay. School children dressed in red and white
holding Canadian and Olympic flags created corridors to the stage and were greeted by the Olympic
mascots - Miga and Quatchy. Around me were all sorts of people: couples, families, business people, and international students all waiting with excitement. As the TV cameras scanned the crowd, people cheered if they saw themselves on the big screen that was set up next to the stage. The big screen also entertained us with videos from the Vanocouver 2010 website - "Meet the Vancouver 2010 Mascots" and the "Lights Will Guide You Home" video which always gets me teary-eyed.
Anyways, there was great excitement amongst the crowd as everyone watched the flame latern as it made
its way from the aboriginal boat in the harbour to the stage in front
of the Parliment Buildings. Welcome speeches were made and then it was time to light the Celebration Cauldron. The crowd held their breaths as Darlene Poole and John Furlong had a little bit of troubles lighting the cauldron - "oooe-ing" and "ahh-ing" in disappointment when the flame didn't take. Eventually the cauldron was lit and everyone cheered with excitement. Simon Whitfield and Catriona Le May Doan lit the first torch from the cauldron and then began the leg of the relay through the crowds.
March 05, 2008 | Podcasts >
Victoria, Festivals & Events
Excepted from Margaret's last weekly radio segment on "All Points West", a CBC Victoria show heard every weekday from 4:00 - 6:00 PM.
Podcast for February 29, 2008.
Be a tourist in your own home province:
- Vancouver Coastal & Mountains - White Rock and Savory Island beaches, Cloverdale Rodeo, Vancouver Jazz Festival
- Cariboo Chilcotin Coast - Kermode Bears, Stampedes, Barkerville
- Thompson Okanagan - Wineries, Wine and Music Festivals
- Kootenay Rockies - 25 championship golf courses, Spas, Accordian Championships
- Northern BC - Inside Passage to Prince Rupert, Seafest, Terrace River Days
- Vancouver Island - Pacific Rim Whale Festival, Jazz Fest