4 things to do near Victoria on Labour Day
If you’re looking for things to do near Victoria this Labour Day (or basically any day this fall if you don’t mind cold water!) head no farther than Shawnigan Lake.
This popular resort area is located just 45 minutes by car from Victoria is a popular spot for swimming and boating, and is lined with summer cabins and cottages that provide a refuge of rest and relaxation for Victoria residents (who, we must admit, already live in a beautiful city known for its slow pace of life).
However, there’s more to Shawnigan Lake than the lake itself. The area is home to a burgeoning local food movement, plenty of hiking and swimming, and the newly reopened Kinsol Trestle, which was once one of the highest railway trestles in the world.
So, here are 4 things to do near Victoria (and Shawnigan Lake) this Labour Day
1. Walk the Kinsol Trestle
Completed in 1920, the Kinsol Trestle is 144 ft high and 617 ft long, making it the largest wooden trestle in the Commonwealth and one of the highest railway trestles in the world. Providing visitors with a gut-wrenching view high above the Koksilah River, the newly restored trestle includes a walkway along the top for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. The Shawnigan Lake Museum is a great place to plan your visit to the trestle.
2. Take a swim in the Quarry
It’s about an hour round trip to the trestle and back from the road, so why not cool off with a visit to the Quarry, known by locals as the “best swimming in BC”. Of course, the weather is rapidly getting cooler (or so it seems), so this Labour Day weekend may be the last chance this year you’ll get to take a dip.
3. Get something to eat at Organic Fair
Technically in Cobble Hill, Organic Fair is a farm gate operation with gourmet chocolate and wonderful ice cream. There’s a tiny garden bistro and store, and… did we mention chocolate? Organic Fair works directly with many farmers in Costa Rica, and place a lot of emphasis on incorporating positive environmental and social values into food. And not just any food… The food of the gods: chocolate.
4. Finish up the day with Merridale Cider
Merridale Cider is probably southern Vancouver Island’s best-kept secret. The cidery offers 7 unique cider varieties, 3 fortified dessert wines and a range of brandies and spirits, plus great food! The Shawnigan Lake region mirrors the optimum growing and climate conditions of the renowned cider regions in the UK and Europe. Merridale’s location was chosen, after years of research, as the perfect combination of climate, aspect and soil conditions to grow world-class fruit. As with fine wines, you need world-class fruit to make a world-class beverage. To get to Merridale Cider, go over the Malahat and through Mill Bay. As you approach Mill Bay you will see an A&W and a Shell gas station on your left, and a shopping mall on your right. Just after that intersection you will see a wine route sign on the right side of the road, one which features Merridale Ciderworks. Get into the left hand lane so you can turn left at the next light, Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road.
This post was written on behalf of Diversified Health Clinic, a Victoria BC chiropractor group.
Things to do near Victoria on Labour Day – Saanich Fair
Come and attend one of the longest-running country fairs in British Columbia – the Saanich Fair.
Established in 1867, every year more than 45,000 people attend this traditional fall fair. They come to see more than 10,000 entries spread across 70 acres of fairground. Besides agricultural and heritage displays, there’s plenty of original food, and an excitement midway with amusement rides.
The Saanich Fairground relocated from Saanichton to the present site on Stellys X Road in 1992. It takes hundreds of volunteers put on the Saanich Fairm and all concessions during the Fair are non-profit and manned by volunteers of their organization. The main focus of the Fair is to promote agriculture (and food security) over the weekend, so it’s a great way to eat lots of local food, learn about where food comes from, and better understand the farming heritage of the Saanich Peninsula and the South Island.
In case you don’t know where it is, there are directions to Saanich Fair on Google Maps, and there’s also a Facebook page with special deals and the latest news.
Here’s a list of family events and rides at this year’s Saanich Fair:
1. VI BLACKSMITH SHOP
2. DOG SHOWS
(a) Capital Comets Dogsports
(b) AVID
(c) Newfoundland Dog Carting
3. RAINBOW THE CLOWN – Shows & Roaming
4. WEST COAST AMUSEMENTS – Midway
5. ISLAND SAVINGS PENNY SMARTS PROGRAM - Booth and stage show – 10,000 penny giveaway
6. BC FRUIT TESTERS – Main Hall Stage Area
7. MYC DRUM MAKING – Kids’ Zone
8. OLD FASHIONED BUGGIES – Outside Heavy Horse Ring
9. SPARKLES THE CLOWN – Face Painting – Beef Barns
10. BC AVIATION MUSEUM – Helicopter display
11. THE “Q’ RADIO STATION ON LOCATION – outside the Gallery Building
12. FOOD EATING CONTESTS (Main Stage area)
(a) Ice Cream – Island Farms
(b) Lemon Merinque Pies – Peninsula Co-op
(c) Cupcakes – Baking Department
(d) Watermelon
(e) Spam
13. DUCT TAPE CONTEST – 103.1 JACK FM
14. BC AMBULANCE SERVICE DISPLAY – by Info
15. CENTRAL POLICE DISPLAY – Main Gate
16. MODEL BOATS – back of Gallery Washrooms
17. QUE BOLA MAGIC – Stage show and Roaming
18. MANE STREAM VAULTERS – Heavy Horse Ring
19. THE MILKING PARLOUR – beside Beef Barn
20. MASTER GARDENERS – Main Hall Stage
21. VICTORIA CONTAINER GARDENER GROUP - Main Hall foyer
22. VICTORIA CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM – Main Gate
23. FARMER VICKY AND DAISY THE COW – Milking Parlour
24. PIRATE SCHOOL – back of Main Hall
25. SUN & STAR GAZING – Telescopes
26. CRD PARKS – Corner Market
27. MILITARY DISPLAY – Hunter Jumper Field
28. KIDS ZONE – Upper level Main Hall
29. COCA-COLA MINERAL WATER DEMOS – in front of Main Hall
30. FARMERS’ MARKET – front Main Hall – Farm Fresh Produce for Sale
31. THE ‘Q’ MIDWAY PARTY – Midway – listen to ‘Q’
32. MORK & MINDY – Swine Barn
33. MINI PIGS – Swine Barn
34. RARE BREEDS – near Hunter Jumper Field
This post was written on behalf of the Cedarwood Inn, a Sidney BC hotel.
Hallmark Society Moves to Ross Bay Villa
The Hallmark Society will soon be moving to Ross Bay Villa. Ross Bay Villa is one of fewer than a dozen 1860s houses left in the City of Victoria. Built in 1865, the one-story residence is remarkably intact, retaining almost all of its original detailing, both inside and out, and lies just across the street from equally historic Ross Bay Cemetary.
Famous for its Canada Day and Labour Day lawn parties, Ross Bay Villa has been beautifully restored by The Land Conservancy.
It’s a great match, as the Hallmark Society is dedicated to the preservation of heritage assets in the Capital Regional District, and has helped a lot of kids get interested in local BC history through its support for provincial Heritage Fairs.
This post was written on behalf of Dinning Hunter Lambert Jackson, lawyers in Victoria BC.
