Good morning, Greater Victoria.
Today we pause to remember and honour those who served and continue to serve our country. We've sent this newsletter early so you can find details on 12 Remembrance Day ceremonies happening across our region this morning.
This week also brings 24 events across Greater Victoria, as craft fair season hits its peak and family activities abound. Our Family Fun picks include an encore recommendation for the spectacular Goldstream salmon run, a fascinating cougar education walk, and a gingerbread house competition.
In News Bites, we share the inspiring story of Victoria veteran Dana Batho, who found healing through art after a career-ending injury, and celebrate a pilot who safely landed a Victoria-to-Cancun flight after a bird strike forced an emergency diversion.
On this day of reflection, we're grateful for our community and the freedoms we share.
Lest we forget. 🍁
12 Greater Victoria Remembrance Day Events
Colwood: A Day of Remembrance @Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, 10am-3pm
+ Full Remembrance Day Program @Royal Roads University, 10:40am-4pm
+ 7th JdF Remembrance Day Service @John Stubbs School, 301 Zealous Crescent, 10am
Esquimalt: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony @Memorial Park, 1200 Esquimalt Rd (parade starts at Tudor House ends at the Cenotaph) 10am-12pm
Langford: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony @Langford Legion, 761 Station Ave 9am-1pm
Metchosin: Remembrance Day March and Ceremony @Metchosin Fire Hall at 10:30am to Cenotaph (4354 Metchosin Rd) for ceremony at 11am, refreshments to follow back at the Fire Hall
Oak Bay: Remembrance Day Ceremony @Oak Bay Cenotaph, 2900 Block of Beach Drive 10:55am-12pm
Saanich: Remembrance Day Ceremony @Saanich Cenotaph, 770 Vernon Ave 10:45-11:45am
Central Saanich: Remembrance Day Ceremony @1209 Clarke Road, Brentwood Bay 10:50am-11:30am (refreshments to follow, see link for more details)
North Saanich & Sidney: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony @Mary Winspear Centre at 10:30am to Cenotaph, formal ceremony at 10:50am (A Fly Past during the two-minute silence at 11am)
Sooke: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony @Evergreen Plaza at 10:30am to Cenotaph, formal ceremony at 10:50am, cake/cookies to follow at Legion Hall until 12pm
Victoria: Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony @Inner Harbour and at the Legislative Cenotaph 10:30am-12pm
Family Fun: Our Top 3 Picks
Three family experiences we're excited about this week:
🏠 Build & Show Off Your Gingerbread Masterpiece
Starting November 15, grab a gingerbread house kit from Panorama or Greenglade, then let your family's creativity run wild! Decorate together and return your creation to Panorama by December 1 for the CFAX Santa's Anonymous display (public voting and prizes!). Your masterpiece will be on show all December while supporting a great cause. Perfect rainy-day activity.
🐾 Meet the Mystery: Cougar Capers Guided Walk (Sunday, Nov 16, 10-11:30am)
Ever wondered about the elusive cougars living right here on the Island? This guided walk at Witty's Lagoon (Metchosin) brings these fascinating big cats to life through engaging activities perfect for all ages. Learn how they leap, climb, and yes – even purr! Plus, discover how to coexist safely with these amazing neighbours. Meet at the Teaching Shelter (10-minute walk from parking). Note: Not stroller-friendly, but worth the adventure!
🐟 Encore! Goldstream Salmon Run Tour (Nov 15-16, Sat/Sun)
This one's so good, we're recommending it again! We took our kids this past weekend and loved every minute – the guided tour facts, the fresh air, and watching the chum salmon run strong. Join the Discover Parks Ambassadors for this incredible experience at Goldstream. Kids love the Nature House activities, bathrooms are available, and you can pack a picnic to make an afternoon of it! Fair warning: parking is part of the adventure! Meet at the Day-Use Area by the picnic shelter (look for bright green or orange). Reserve your spot or just walk in!
Markets & Craft Fairs
Saanich: Craft & Connect Nov 13 (Thur) @Luther Court Society Lounge, 1525 Cedar Hill Cross Rd 3-4pm
+ Handmade Village Craft Market Nov 15 (Sat) @675 Jolly Place
+ Tillicum Winter Market Nov 15 (Sat) @3155 Albina St.
+ Victorian Christmas Craft Fair Nov 15-16 (Sat/Sun) @4636 Elk Lake Drive
Victoria: Sip & Shop Holiday Market Nov 13 (Thur) @Bard & Banker, 1022 Government St 4-8pm
+ Christmas Holiday Vintage Fair & Sip n Shop Nov 14-15 (Fri/Sat) @Da Vinci Centre, 195 Bay Street (Vic West)
+ Moss Street Market Nov 15 (Sat) @Sir James Douglas School, 1330 Fairfield Rd 10am-1pm
+ Kids Winter Craft Market Nov 16 (Sun) @ 1-2827 Belmont Ave 1pm
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Farmers Market Nov 13 (Thur) @Esquimalt Recreational Centre 4:30-7pm
Metchosin: Yuletide Market Series Nov 14-16 (Fri-Sun) @Bilston Creek Farm, 4185 Metchosin Rd
Sooke: 2025 Craft Fair Nov 14-16 (Fri-Sun) @Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Sheilds Rd
Oak Bay: Local Makers’ Holiday Pop-Up Market Nov 15-16 (Sat/Sun) @1442 Monterey Ave
Langford: Christmas Craft Fair and Tea Nov 16 (Sun) Hosted by Royal Canadian Legion #912 Ladies Auxiliary @761 Station Ave 10am-3pm
Nature Adventures
Metchosin: Cougars Capers (Guided Walk) – All Ages Nov 16 (Sun) @Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park (meet at Teaching Shelter, off the Lagoon Trail; see link for parking instructions and bus availability) 10-11:30am
Langford: Goldstream Salmon Run Public Tour Nov 15-16 (Sat/Sun) @ Meet at the Goldstream Day-Use Area by the picnic shelter – look for Ambassadors in bright green or orange! Reserve your spot here (walk-ins welcome too!)
Arts & Culture
Sidney: Got Stones! An Evening with the Rolling Stones Nov 14 (Fri) @The Mary Winspear Centre, 2243 Beacon Ave 7pm
View Royal: View Royal’s Got Talent Show Nov 15 (Sat) @Community Hall, 279 Island Highway (ticket waitlist sign-up available here)
Victoria: Burning Mom Until Nov 23 A one-woman show about taking a big bite out of life @Belfry Theatre 1291 Gladstone Ave
News Bites
Finding Purpose Through Paint and Thread: A Victoria Veteran's Journey
After a training injury ended her military career in 2012, Victoria's Dana Batho faced chronic pain and an uncertain future. Unable to work traditional hours, she rediscovered her love of creating – picking up brushes and needles once again. What began as therapeutic cross-stitching and oil painting has blossomed into Peacock & Fig, her thriving online business. With 45,000 YouTube subscribers, Batho now shares her craft while helping others discover healing through creativity. She describes art as the one activity where pain fades from her mind – a way to slow down and focus on something genuinely positive.
[Read Dana's full inspiring story here]
"Calm and Professional": Victoria Flight Pilot Praised After Bird Strike Emergency
What started as a sunny Cancun-bound adventure took an unexpected turn for WestJet passengers departing Victoria, BC on November 5. Shortly after takeoff, the Boeing 737 collided with a bird, forcing the crew to divert to Vancouver. The aircraft circled Vancouver Island for about 90 minutes before landing safely at 9:23 a.m., met by emergency fire crews. Despite the frightening experience, passengers are commending the pilot's composed handling of the situation. Passenger Bruce Pfeifer praised the pilots for their calm and professional response to the emergency. Thanks to a replacement aircraft, travelers reached Cancun just four to five hours behind schedule.
[Read the full story here]
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⭐ A Few More Events Across Greater Vic ⭐
🏛️ View Royal: View Royal 2050 Open House (Nov 13)
🍄 Victoria: Growing Mushrooms at Home (Nov 14)
🍽️ Victoria: Fairfield Community Dinner (Nov 14)
💻 Victoria: Tech Week (Nov 17-21)
💎 Saanich: Gem & Mineral Show (Nov 14-16)
🏠 North Saanich: Gingerbread House Challenge (Nov 15-Dec 31)
See you next week! 🍁
