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Explore: Show 'n' Shine, East West Mural Fest

Upcoming events: Ladysmith Show ‘n’ Shine on Friday and Saturday; East West Mural Fest, Aug. 20 to Sept. 1
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The Ladysmith Show ‘n’ Shine spotlights everything from vintage cars, such as this 1936 Mercedes-Benz from the 2023 event, to classic motorycles. DUCK PATERSON The annual Ladysmith Show ‘n’ Shine will spotlight everything from vintage cars, such as this 1936 Mercedes-Benz from the 2023 event, to classic motorycles. DUCK PATERSON

Vintage cars, motorcycles to draw thousands to Ladysmith

Ladysmith will showcase some of the best vintage cars and motorcycles on Vancouver Island this weekend at the annual Ladysmith Show ‘n’ Shine.

Thousands of classic two- and four-wheel enthusiasts will descend on the picturesque town for the popular two-day event, now in its 20th year. Ladysmith — whose motto is Heritage by the Sea — is an appropriate setting for the gathering, which gets underway Friday night with a Rod Run that travels from the A&W restaurant in Ladysmith to Chemainus and back. The run, featuring many cars from Ladysmith Show ‘n’ Shine, starts at 7 p.m., and ends at 9 p.m. at the restaurant located at 12615 Trans-ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Highway.

The Saturday event will see cars and cycles line both sides of First Avenue. Several local organizations, including the local chapters of the Kinsmen Club and Lions Club, will run a beverage garden and food trucks, among other offerings.

Dogs are not allowed at the main event, which gets underway at 10 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. Owners interested in entering their vehicles into competition can no longer apply online, but can do so at the gate on Saturday. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the north end of First Avenue.

For more information, visit

Community art celebrated in East West Mural Fest

Seven events over a two-week period in Esquimalt and Vic West make up the East West Mural Fest, which gets underway Aug. 20 and runs until Sept. 1.

Community-based art is the foundation of this Esquimalt Community Arts Hub event, with first-time muralists and established graffiti artists taking part in a variety of workshops and experiences — all of which are presented free of charge to the public. First up is Murals on Wheels: A Bike Tour (Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m.), which will take riders to 15 completed and in-progress public murals.

Also on the agenda is Tapestree: Community Textile Art Workshop (Aug. 25, 2 p.m.), which serves as an introduction to the art of tapestry; Juggling Performance and Workshop (Aug. 26, 6:10 p.m.), an exploration of the fundamentals of juggling; Landscapes of Home (Aug. 29, 6 p.m.), an art therapy workshop using pen, charcoal and paper; Collaborative Painting with Voyage Fantastik (Aug. 30, 5 p.m.), a painting workshop with art and music; Upcycled Tetrapak Printmaking Workshop (Aug. 31, 11 a.m.), hosted by instructors Claire Jorgensen and Sophie Tarrant; and Stenciled Zine Workshop with Supply Victoria (Sept. 1, 10 a.m.), which uses coloured inks and recycled materials.

Many of the sessions require advance registration. For more information, visit

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