News

FernFest is expanding!

FernFest 2025

Mila Czemerys

Join us at FernFest on Friday, June 13 & Saturday, June 14

You’re invited to FernFest 2025, Fernwood’s annual free, community-based festival of music, art, and celebration brought to you by Fernwood ­Neighbourhood House!

It’s all happening on Friday, June 13 from 5–10pm and Saturday, June 14 from 11:30am–10pm in Fernwood Square and beyond. Join the fun as we showcase local musicians and artists you may not have heard of—but are bound to love.

This year, FernFest is expanding with the launch of a brand-new stage: the Big Fernwood Stage, located behind Fernwood Neighbourhood House at 1240 Gladstone ­Avenue. With this exciting addition, we now feature three vibrant stages of performances and even more space for community celebration.

There is something for everyone at FernFest—live ­performances by over 40 musicians and performers; booths from 85+ local makers in our artisan market; non-profits; games; bouncy castle; art-making in the Field of Dreams; magic; food vendors and drinks; auction; workshops; wishing tree; and a whole bunch of your favourite neighbours and friends gathered together.

We are honoured to welcome the lək̓ʷəŋən Traditional Dancers on Friday at 5pm with a territorial welcome and culture share. We acknowledge that FernFest takes place on the homelands of the lək̓ʷəŋən-speaking peoples: Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and W̱SÁNEĆ Nations.

FernFest reflects Fernwood NH’s Strategic Plan and vision: a neighbourhood where everyone experiences belonging, connection, joy, and acceptance.

You’ll hear artists like Pastel Blank, Garret T. Willie, Hank Pine, Paris Pick and the Pricks, Vic High RnB Band, Mariachi Sin Frontera, Devours, Zoubi and the Sea, and many more!

Be sure to check out our silent auction at airauctioneer.com/fernfest-2025-auction. Proceeds directly support Fernwood Neighbourhood House. Please walk, bike, or bus to the event—parking is very limited. A free bike valet will be available in the basketball court at Vic High off of Fernwood Road. Bring your water bottle and refill at our on-site water station. We welcome donations. This event is free—and your donations keep it going.

A huge thank you to the City of Victoria Festival Investment Grant and the Province of British Columbia for supporting FernFest. Thank you to our 2025 sponsors: The Zone @ 91.3, Belfry Theatre, Phillips Brewing and Malting Co., Garside Signs, Diversity Media, Fernwood Green Cannabis, Knotty By Nature, and more!

We are an inclusive event for all classes, cultures, genders, ages, and abilities. Everyone is welcome!

Find the full program guide at: fernwoodnrg.ca/fernfest/program. Happy FernFest!

 

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Volunteer with FernFest!

FernFest Volunteers

Nada Saad

Experience ­FernFest 2025 as part of the team!

Every year, we’re blown away by the incredible energy and community spirit that comes together to celebrate Fernwood, the arts, and everything in between. As always, FernFest wouldn’t be possible without our amazing volunteers. If you’re looking to be part of something meaningful and full of heart, we’d love to have you on our team. Whether you’re a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, this is your chance to help create unforgettable memories and be part of an awesome community.

FernFest kicks off on Friday evening, June 13, and continues all day Saturday, June 14. This year, we’re ­bringing even more music to the streets with performances across three unique stages: Little Fernwood Stage, ­Fernwood Square Stage, and the brand new Big Fernwood Stage—all featuring incredible local artists. But that’s not all! FernFest will also feature an artisan market, food vendors, Field of Dream, and so much more!

We’re currently looking for volunteers to help with a variety of roles including ­Festival set-up and tear-down, Artisan Market support, Field of Dreams activities, Beverage gardens and ticket sales, Hospitality, Sound equipment set-up/take-down, Green Team, Bike valet and even pre- and post-event opportunities for those curious about what goes into transforming Fernwood into FernFest!

As a thank you, volunteers will receive a free FernFest t-shirt, free food and drinks, a beverage garden ticket (to enjoy after your shift), and an invite to our Volunteer ­Appreciation Party!

Come meet like-minded folks and be part of an unforgettable community celebration, sign up today by filling out our online FernFest Volunteer Application at fernwoodnrg.ca/events-directory/­fernfest/volunteer/

We can’t wait to celebrate with you and make FernFest 2025 the best one yet!

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Portraits of Fernwood: The people’s art project

Inside Out Project Art

>> Chris Caicedo Carbonell

Every day, we pass familiar faces—people we recognize but seldom know. We rarely ask their stories, yet their presence becomes part of our shared landscape. This quiet recognition inspired Portraits of Fernwood, our local contribution to the Inside Out Project, one of the world’s largest participatory art movements.

Founded by French artist JR and active in over 150 countries, Inside Out invites communities to turn identity into public art through large-scale black-and-white portraits. These installations bring visibility to everyday people and causes often overlooked in public discourse.

Now, for the first time in Victoria, our neighbourhood joins this global ­movement. Portraits of Fernwood features 60 portraits of neighbours, volunteers, and community members—those who shape and support the heartbeat of our community. Through this project, we celebrate values such as belonging, inclusion, creativity, and resilience.

On June 8, 2025, we invite everyone to join us for a public celebration and ­installation day at 1240 Gladstone Ave. Together, we will paste these portraits onto plywood panels, which will later be mounted with the help of local professionals. This collective act goes beyond art—it’s a moment to connect, honour our shared humanity, and reflect on who we are together.

More than a visual display, Portraits of Fernwood is an act of community empowerment. Public art creates space for people to see themselves reflected, to claim ­visibility, and to affirm that their lives and stories matter. It invites dialogue, challenges assumptions, and sparks collective action. In this sense, art becomes a tool for social change—a way to imagine and build more connected, just, and inclusive communities.

To the question posed by JR’s book Can Art Change the World? we say: yes. From the inside out.

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Youth Jam: A space to grow through music

>> Kady Savard

The Youth Jam grew out of my early experiences in the music scene. As a young, uncertain singer, I found confidence through Musical Youth Victoria, a grassroots initiative led by Randy Austin and Geoffrey Bucove. It offered local artists instrumental backing and a place to be heard—without grants or government ­support. Those early shows marked a turning point for me, and I still share footage from them as a reminder of how far I’ve come.

After Randy’s passing last fall, I felt a deep urge to continue what he helped create. I’d pitched a revival of the ­concept to various non-profits, but it wasn’t until a conversation with Mila—while ­discussing my FernFest hosting duties—that things clicked. She ­immediately said, “Why not do it at the Fernwood Community Centre?”

That simple suggestion launched the next chapter. We added a performance at FernFest to wrap the program, with ­community support from people like Nathan Shelby on sound and help from the City of Victoria and the My Great Neighbourhood Grant. Mila also guided me through the grant writing process.

Music improv teaches powerful skills: collaboration, confidence, communication, and belonging. Especially post-COVID, I saw how needed this was for youth who’d missed vital years of connection. The goal was to give them space to grow, explore, and shine.

Watching them thrive has been the most rewarding part—and the hardest, knowing it’s temporary. I’m now seeking long-term funding to keep it going year-round.
I’d love to see programs like this across the city. If it inspires you, take the idea and run with it. And if you want help starting something similar, I’m here.

Catch the Youth Jam Sessions band, Fern Friends, at 12:45 pm on the Big ­Fernwood Stage, at FernFest on Saturday, June 14.

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Welcome to ­Fernwood ­Neighbourhood House Salma

Salma is Fernwood NH’s new Director of Community Programs

My name is Salma Ihsan and I am pleased to be joining the Fernwood ­Neighbourhood House as the Director of Community ­Programs. I first came to the island to attend UVic and quickly fell in love with this land and community. I’ve now lived on W̱SÁNEĆ and […]

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Play Streets are back!

Kim Ashbourne

Free family fun monthly until September!

Play Streets kicked off this year on Mother’s Day with a potluck and the ever-popular cardboard village-making extravaganza. Kids used appliance boxes to make a pizza shop, art gallery, secret passage ways, and so much more. Their imagination and teamwork were phenomenal. Play Streets closes Camosun Street between Grant […]

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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Meet Eyefinery

A boutique experience rooted in community

Located in the heart of Fernwood, ­Eyefinery Optical Studio may be one of the tiniest optical boutiques in the world, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in personalized service and distinctive style. Owner and optician Rebecca Knezacek brings over 14 years of experience in the optical […]

By |May 29th, 2025|Uncategorized|0 Comments
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