Little Local - August 14

Summer’s not over yet! With a few more weeks to go, there’s still time to explore somewhere new or try something different, and there are lots of great local events happening this weekend to get you started.

This week, we’ve featured a local garden spot that’s perfect for a picnic, a fun early-reader book series, an easy summer weeknight meal, and Sidney’s Lantern Festival. Make the most of these long summer days while they last!

Why Families Love the HCP

If you haven’t been to the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific yet, it’s such a lovely spot to go with the family. The gardens are full of little adventures for kids with shady paths to wander, tadpoles to spot in the pond, and wide-open spaces in the lower orchard that are perfect for running around. There’s an edible garden, a rose garden, plus plenty of picnic spots. They also run kids’ camps and events through HCP Kids, so there’s often something extra going on.

Right next door is Charlotte & the Quail, a cozy café with great coffee, brunch, lunch, and baked treats. If you eat there first and hang onto your receipt, you’ll get discounted admission to the gardens. It’s such a nice combo: fuel up with something delicious, then spend the afternoon exploring and letting the kids burn off some energy while you enjoy the flowers.

📚 This Week’s Book Pick
Dragon Masters series by Tracey West has been a hit in our house since our eldest was 4. It’s great for early readers but also works well as a read-aloud, with short chapters, fast-paced plots, and just the right mix of dragons, magic, and adventure. If you’re looking for a series to get your kids hooked on reading, this one’s a winner.

🍽 This Week’s Meal
Sheet Pan Gnocchi is a quick, easy, and flexible dinner that we have in our rotation. Chop up whatever veggies your kids will eat (we make ours with red onion, mixed peppers, broccoli, and cherry tomatoes), toss with par-boiled gnocchi, salt and pepper, and pre-cooked sausage—and voilà! One pan, minimal mess.

Try this simple How Sweet Eats version, or this Last Ingredient one for a summery take with pesto, sweet corn, and cherry tomatoes.

Early low tides this week mean it’s a great time to get out right after breakfast for beachcombing or tidepool searching. Unfortunately, Island Health has a swimming advisory in place for Willows Beach right now due to high bacteria levels. Check out Cattle Point or Gonzales Beach for great tidepools, wander the sandy stretches at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin, or head up the Peninsula to Sidney Spit or Island View Beach for beachcombing and birdwatching.

⛳ Island View Farm & Mini Golf is a hidden gem on the Peninsula where you can find fresh goodies at the farm store and challenge the kids to a round of mini golf. Passport holders get 2for1 mini golf (or 50% off one child) Monday–Friday.

🧑🏻‍🍳 Spriglet offers adorable aprons for tiny chefs, created by a local mom, Femke. These kid-sized aprons are comfy, durable, and made for real kitchen messes, perfect for baking days, play kitchens, and crafty afternoons.

🍔 Swans Pub: Yes, it’s a pub, but a super family-friendly one! Show your Summer Adventure Passport and get 2for1 kids meals. Perfect for a lunch or dinner outing after a downtown adventure!

Want to spread the good word about your business, a project you’re working on, a hire, or just want to say hi to 2,000 local families?

📅 This Weekend

🎬 Free Outdoor Movie: E.T.
Friday, August 16 | 8:45pm (“doors open” at 6pm)
Bring a blanket and catch a free screening of E.T. under the stars at the Saanich Fairgrounds. Come early for the pre-show, filled with family-friendly entertainment.

🎪 Sooke Day Family Picnic
Saturday, August 16 | 10am–5:30pm
Enjoy a day of family fun in Sooke with live music, food vendors, and a Kid’s Zone with bouncy castles and family-friendly activities. [Info]

🎉 Mayfair Summer Block Party
Saturday, August 16 | 11am–5pm
Head to Mayfair Mall for live entertainment, giveaways, games, and family-friendly fun in the Kid Zone at this free summer celebration. [Info]

🚗 Show & Shine Car Show
Saturday, August 16 | 10am-2pm
Check out rows of classic and custom cars along Goldstream Ave, chat with owners, and enjoy a laid-back day of vintage vehicle appreciation. [Info]

🌱 VegFest Victoria
Saturday, August 16 | 11am–5pm
Explore plant-based eats, local vendors, and sustainability tips at this popular downtown veggie fest. [Info]

🎸 Music in the Park
Saturday, August 16 | 5:30-7:30pm
Hang out at Colwood City Hall with live music from the Heist. Bring a blanket and enjoy the evening! [Info]

🎨 Splash! of Paint PLEIN AIR Exhibition & Competition
Friday, August 16 & Saturday, August 17
Watch artists paint outdoors and explore their finished works in this unique open-air art event. [Info]

🚤 Victoria Harbour Ferry Water Ballet
Saturday & Sunday, August 16–17 | 10:30am–12:30pm
Catch the charming water ballet performance by Victoria’s iconic little ferries, dancing in sync to music in the Inner Harbour. [Info]

🐾 Day of the Dog Festival at Galey Farms
Sunday, August 17 | 10am–4pm
Celebrate your furry friends with dog-friendly vendors, contests, and activities at this lively pet festival at Galey Farms. [Info]

🌼 Pollinator Habitat Workshop at Island View Golf Centre
Sunday, August 17 | 11am–1pm
Learn how to create pollinator-friendly gardens and habitats at this hands-on, family-friendly workshop. [Tickets]

👕 Sea Shirt Sunday at the Centre for the Salish Sea
Sunday, August 17 | 1–3pm
Design and print your own ocean-themed T-shirt while learning about marine life at this hands-on art-meets-science activity. [Info]

🫧 FREE Community Foam Party
Sunday, August 17 | 1–3pm
Get ready to dance, laugh, and cool off with Panorama Rec in a mountain of foam and slip ‘n slide at this free community party for kids and families. [Info]

🌲 Shirley Day
Sunday, August 18 | 11am–4:30pm
A charming rural fair with live music, local artisans, food, games, and family fun in the seaside community of Shirley. [Info]

💜 Summer Lavender Festival
August 16-19 *final week*
Head over to Bilston Creek Farm for a peaceful afternoon in the sun and lavender fields. Wander the blooming fields, listen to live music, and enjoy local treats. [Info]

📅 Next Week / Ongoing

🌳 Free Play in the Park
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in August 5:30–8pm
Panorama staff are hosting FREE summer fun for the whole family, with interactive play, group games, and inflatable fun on a giant 50' obstacle course! [Info]
Tuesdays: at KELSET Elementary
Wednesdays: at Tulista Park
Thursdays: at Centennial Park

🏞️ Neighbourhood Nights
Tuesday, August 19 | 6pm–8pm
Bring a picnic and meet your neighbours at Royal Bay Meadow Park. Enjoy games, activities, and good company in a beautiful community green space. [Info]

👶 Summer Playgroup in the Park (Oaklands)
Tuesdays & Thursdays | Times vary
Join other families at rotating local parks for free, casual playgroups hosted by Oaklands, perfect for little ones to play and parents to connect. [Info]

🎬 Outdoor Movie Night: Emperor’s New Groove
Wednesday, August 20 | 8:30pm
Bring a blanket and enjoy Emperor’s New Groove under the stars at Gorge Park, hosted by Esquimalt Parks & Rec. Country Crepes will be on-site serving up snacks! [Info]

📘 Stories in the Park
Thursdays from 10am-11am
Head down to Saxe Point Park every Thursday in July & August for stories by Canadian authors, followed by a fun activity. Great for kids aged 2-5, but everyone’s welcome. [Info]

🚲 Free Wheelin’ Youth Bike Lending
Monday – Friday until August 29
Head down to the Topaz Park all-wheels skate and bike park, where kids and youth can borrow bikes, scooters, skateboards, helmets, and pads for free! [Info]

🎏 ArtSea Lantern Festival
Saturday, August 23 | 6:30pm-9:30pm
The week-long celebration of lanterns ends with a glowing finale at Beacon Park in Sidney. There will be live performances, glowing lantern displays, and a magical community lantern procession at dusk. [Info]

🎎 25th Japanese Cultural Fair
Saturday, August 23 | 9:45am–4pm
Celebrate Japanese culture with traditional music, dance, food, crafts, and martial arts demonstrations. [Info]

🎡 Saanich Fair
Friday, August 30 – Sunday, September 1
Don't miss Vancouver Island’s oldest fair, with rides, exhibits, farm animals, food vendors, and fun for the whole family. [Info]

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.