A fun weekend for maritime enthusiasts at the Classic Boat Festival
Heritage boat enthusiasts can enjoy three days of maritime-related events in the Inner Harbour this weekend as part of the 45th annual Victoria Classic Boat Festival.
The public can begin viewing the approximately 100 vessels of classic design and traditional construction at 9 a.m. on Friday on the public docks along Wharf and Government streets, with a festival-opening ceremony at 12 p.m. timed to welcome Salute Vessel MV Midnight Sun in the Inner Harbour with the Honorary Commodore Robert G. Allan and other dignitaries aboard.
That officially kicks off the the Maritime Museum of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ event, founded in 1978, which runs through the weekend and is expected to attract upwards of 10,000 people.
A big focus for spectators is the Sail Past and Sail Race, which takes place Sunday at 11 a.m. Organizers suggest the best viewpoints for the race are from Fisherman’s Wharf, Ogden Point Breakwater, or Clover Point. Participating boats include the 96-foot Blue Peter and 50-foot Euphemia II, both built in 1928.
There’s also a strong musical component to the festival, including events held on Friday featuring Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy (12:30 p.m., Ship Point) and Bilgewater (2:30 p.m., aboard MV Gikumi on the docks). Programming on Saturday features Chiefs and Petty Officers’ Association Band (10 a.m. on the Causeway), The Hounds of Cuchulain (12:30 p.m. aboard MV Deerleap on the docks), Kouskous (3 p.m. aboard MV Saravan on the docks), and Spindrift (5:30 p.m. aboard MV Gikumi on the docks), while performances on Sunday will feature Seeking Sirens (10 a.m. at Yacht Dogs Cafe), and MMBC’s Salty Singers (1 p.m. aboard MV Gikumi on the docks).
A full weekend of plein air sketching and art will spotlight participating artists Liz Charsley, Richard Linzey, Janet Moore, and Christina Morrison, who will be painting on the docks. The artwork will be included in the Classic Boat Festival Artists’ Showcase in the gallery of the Maritime Museum of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ on Oct. 20.
Admission to the docks through the weekend is a one-time suggested donation of $5 per person, which supports the year-round programs and exhibits staged by the museum and those featured at the festival.
For more information, visit or phone 250-385-4222. The Maritime Museum of BC is located at 744 Douglas St.
Island View Beach walk on tap Saturday
Island View Beach in the Central Saanich Regional Park is the focus of a self-guided walk at 9 a.m on Saturday.
Life on the Beach is an all-ages walk featuring CRD Regional Parks naturalists. Life in the intertidal zone is the focus, and participants will learn how creatures endure life on the beach and how humans play a key role in their survival.
Guests can drop-in to Island View Beach Regional Park anytime between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. The walk begins near the picnic shelter off Homathko Drive. The one-kilometre walk follows a compact gravel trail with no incline and is suitable for attendees of all abilities. There is one bench along the route. An accessible washroom and accessible parking spots are both available in the main parking lot at Island View.
Organizers ask that pets be left at home. Guide and service animals are welcome, however.
For more information, contact Central Saanich Regional Park at 250-478-3344.
