Little Local - May 8

Were you one of the 7,000+ attendees at the TC Book Sale? I drove by Saturday morning and the line was snaking around a second block. I had my two-year-old with me, so… we waved from the car and kept on driving ;)

This weekend is full of good things: Mother’s Day celebrations, Esquimalt’s beloved Buccaneer Days ☠️, and a hands-on science extravaganza 🧪 at UVic and Camosun. You’ll find a list of local flower stands, a weeknight recipe, a local food/planting program, and more upcoming events in this issue.

Have fun out there!

Super Local Growers

It never ceases to amaze me how many incredible flower growers we have right here in Greater Victoria. I picked up a beautiful bouquet last weekend from Flora & Fauna (a vendor at Sea Cider’s Spring Fair), and have purchased dahlia tubers from a few other local growers too. Whether you’re looking for a bouquet for someone special this weekend—or just a little gift for yourself—here are a few local growers with farm stands you need to know about:

Rockrose Farm
1555 Burnside Rd West
Let mama know she’s your hero with a vibrant bouquet bursting with color and love.
Order cutoff: Friday May 9 [Order Now]

Flora & Fauna
5417 West Saanich Road
Mother's Day flower stand at the farm! Open this Saturday May 10th, from 10am until sold out. Jen will share updates on her Instagram stories.

House of Orange
5987 Oldfield Road
They’re sold out of Mother’s Day flowers, but the farm stand is open for the season Thursday-Sunday (9:30am-sunset). [Info]

Wildroots Flower Farm
2313 Marlene Drive
The flower stand will be open for Mother’s Day bouquets, Friday, May 9 - Sunday, May 11. Open 8am until sold out! [Preorder]

Get Growing, Victoria!

Get Growing, Victoria! is a free city program that offers vegetable and herb seedlings to individuals, families, and community groups who face barriers to growing their own food. Seedlings are grown locally and distributed through a network of community partners. Distribution days take place from May to August at neighbourhood hubs, including parks, schools, and community centres, with exact dates announced on the website. The program supports food security and helps more Victorians grow fresh food at home.

The first Get Growing, Victoria! spring seedling distribution event is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 12pm to 2pm at the Quadra Village Community Centre (901 Kings Road).

For a complete list of distribution dates and locations, visit the City of Victoria's Get Growing page

Tides Report

🏴‍☠️ It’s Buccaneer Days this weekend!

Get ready for a weekend of fun at the Archie Browning Sports Centre grounds in Esquimalt. This beloved community event is packed with pirate-themed fun for all ages—think lively parade, midway rides, vendor markets, a pancake breakfast, beer garden, and more.

Why the pirate theme?

Buccaneer Days began in 1966 as a way to bring the Esquimalt community together and celebrate its naval heritage and strong local spirit. The pirate theme was chosen as a playful nod to seafaring life and to get everyone—from kids to grown-ups—into the fun. Over the decades, it’s become a cherished tradition, mixing carnival fun with a hearty dose of hometown pride. So grab your eye patch, dress up, and join the crew!

Science Rendezvous

📍 UVic & Camosun Interurban
📅 Saturday, May 10th from 9:30am - 3pm

If you’re looking for something fun (and free!) to do this weekend with the kids, check out Science Rendezvous at UVic and Camosun. It’s a big, hands-on science fair that’s perfect for curious kids, teens, and grown-ups too. You can launch bottle rockets, simulate particle collisions with water balloons, explore how your brain works using mobile EEG devices, and peek at tiny worlds under a microscope (bring your own sample if you want!). There are also cool demos about space, animals, and even the world’s largest camera designed to capture the tiniest particles in the universe. No need to register—just drop in and explore!

📅 More Events

❄️ Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL: May 8 to 18, 2025 
A magical mix of stunning acrobatics and high-energy ice skating, bringing a dreamy, frozen world to life at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre—perfect for a fun family night out! [Tickets]

⛺ MEC Swap: Saturday, May 10 | 10am - 2pm A community event where you can buy, sell, or trade used outdoor gear—perfect for families looking to score quality items for camping, hiking, cycling, and more. [Info]

🎡 Luxton Spring Fair: May 15–18
A classic spring fair in Langford with midway rides, games, food vendors, and family entertainment. [Info]

🎵 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival: May 17–18
Held at Topaz Park, this lively cultural festival includes pipe bands, Highland dancing, caber toss, family zones, and more. [Info]

🎈 Victoria Day Parade: Monday, May 19 | Starts at 9am
The 123rd annual parade features floats, bands, and performers, starting at Mayfair Mall and heading down Douglas Street [Info]

🧸 Ultimate Toy Fair: May 24–25
Held at Pearkes Arena, this huge toy show features new and vintage toys, games, and collectibles for kids and collectors alike [Info]

⛵ Swiftsure International Yacht Race: May 24–26
One of the largest yacht races in the Pacific Northwest—watch the action unfold from Victoria’s Inner Harbour. [Info]

👩🏽‍🍳 Easy Weeknight Chicken Quesadillas

My kids ask for tacos all the time—but the second the tacos fall apart, so do the kids. We still love a good taco night, but I was on the hunt for something with the same flavours that held together a little better. Enter: quesadillas.

Quesadillas aren’t new around here—they’re often packed in lunches with just cheese—but this version makes a quick, satisfying dinner using simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Bonus: it’s a great use of a rotisserie chicken.

Ingredients

• Tortillas (medium or large)

• Rotisserie chicken or roasted (chopped)

• 1 can corn (drained)

• 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)

• 1 red bell pepper (chopped)

• Taco seasoning (to taste)

• Grated cheese (cheddar + mozzarella work great!)

Instructions

1. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

2. In a large pan over medium heat, sauté the red pepper until softened.

3. Add the corn, chicken, black beans, and taco seasoning. Stir to combine and heat through.

4. Lay a tortilla flat and sprinkle one half with cheese. Top with a generous scoop of the filling, then a bit more cheese (for extra melt!), and fold it over.

5. Cook in a dry pan or griddle over medium heat for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and the cheese is melted.

6. Slice and serve with avocado, sour cream, salsa—or whatever your family loves!

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