Check out these great events happening on our neighbourhood in the next couple months…
1) Sunset Market in the Square
Wednesdays in September, 4:30 – 7:30pm, Fernwood Square
// Shop for fresh, local fruits and veggies and value added food products while enjoying live local music
›› Phoenix Bain
The Oaklands Sunset Market has made its mark in Victoria as a community gathering space and a place to access local food and local food producers. It has grown in size and varied in terms of how the Market supports the local community. From adding local musicians, to local breweries, a space has been created to access and celebrate the variety of the island. It is crucially important to be able to provide that access. Which is why, instead of calling our season to end on August 30th, we have decided to create a satellite version in Fernwood Square.
We want to bring that same community vibe of the Sunset Market and combine it with that of Fernwood. By bringing local farmers and food producers to the space, we can connect folks to their food directly and be able to re-create the feeling of harvesting your backyard strawberries to share with the other neighbourhood kids, of passing bowls around a table of friends potluck style with various creations, of taking that tomato plant out of the store bought planter and introducing your garden to another variety of fruit. Maybe these are just my memories, but we can all recall something, some place where we’ve come together to share food. Rather than taking a cart to the overwhelming vegetable section at your local grocery conglomerate to find the latest shipment from California, why not be a part of your community, gather in a space with friends, share and connect with food and farmers to find the perfect bunch of beets.
2) Picot Night Markets
Thursdays in August, 4:00 – 9:00pm, Fernwood Square
// A beautiful curation of handmade artisan products
›› Arielle Moore
Come on down to Fernwood Square, socialize and shop with us! Every Thursday night is filled with talented local vendors, artists, live music, and activities for the little ones, food and drink!
Each Thursday, Fernwood Square is transformed into a bustling market with talent and creativity brimming from all edges of the Square. From handmade pies and chocolate, to a taco bar and food truck… to Sea Cider and kombucha… to ceramic mugs and vintage clothing, to jewelry and florals, we’ve got you covered. Each night has something new and different to offer—trust us, you’ll want to be at all of them.
Each week we run a raffle at our Picot table to raise money for both Fernwood NRG and the Team Tree Campaign—supporting a young girl in our community through treatment and recovery of brain cancer. Tickets start at $2. If that’s not good enough, every time you enter a raffle you and entered to win the grand prize raffle taking place at the end of August. One of our past prizes included a 60 day moksha yoga pass, honey tobacco bath salts, Boo Too You greeting cards, lavender bundles, a 7Rays incense kit, two Balsam and Vine beaded bracelets, and an XOCOLAT handmade chocolate bar. Check out our table to see what prizes are at stake this week!
More info available at picotcollective.com/pages/picot-pop-up-market.
3) Vining Street Party on the Plaza
Sunday, September 10th, Noon – 6:00pm, grounds of Vic High School
// Celebrate Fernwood at this block party with a silent auction, live music, kids’ activities and more
›› Laurie Rubin
Join us for the 10th Annual Vining St. PARTY on the PLAZA (VS PoP). Mayor Lisa Helps will open the festivities. Enjoy Live Entertainment, BBQ, Silent Auction, Vendor and Exhibitor MARKET, Children’s Science and Crafts, Dance, Bike Clinic, Clowns, Magic, Face Painting, Balloons, Games and Fun for all.
LIVE Entertainment will feature headliner The Fernwood Coalition and other acts include Café Tinto, Fiesta Latina Dancers, Victoria Zumba, Alma de Espana, Coastline and more acts to confirm. VS PoP promises you will be on your feet dancing, singing to the music!
For the kids, a cardboard castle, The Great Giffoni, the Sunshine Clowns, animal balloonist, face painters, hula hoops, bubbles, and a new science show that will thrill plus hot dogs and candy floss.
For everyone, 400 Silent Auction items from the practical to the eclectic! 70+ MARKET vendors & exhibitors offering everything under the sun! As you know VS PoP is volunteer driven spearheaded by the residents of Vining Street. VS PoP thrives thanks to your spirit and generosity.
Net proceeds from VS PoP 2017 will go to The Learning Curve Society, www.ldasvi.bc.ca, in support of their outstanding work with children with learning and behavioral challenges.
Please visit us at facebook.com/Vining.Street.Block.Party, or, go to viningstreetparty.com. Contact VS PoP Coordnator Laurie Rubin at 250-995-2696 or emaillrubin@shaw.ca.
BONUS:
Psst! Don’t miss Fernwood Pole Painting Day happening Saturday, September 9th. It’s free to paint a telephone pole in Fernwood to help beautify our neighbourhood, curb signature tagging and slow traffic. Find out the scoop here…
