Welcome to Greater Victoria Scoop's inaugural newsletter! 🌊 We're thrilled you're here as we launch this new way to stay connected with everything happening across all 13 municipalities that make Greater Victoria special.
New Beginnings Across Greater Victoria
First days bring new experiences across our community.
Students are settling into first lectures at UVic, Camosun, and Royal Roads. High schoolers are navigating new hallways. Proud parents are beaming as little ones start kindergarten adventures. Preschools and daycares are also welcoming excited children back to play and learning, with places like Little Friends Childcare in View Royal helping families ease into new routines.
But even though it’s a time for joy and optimism, it’s also a time to adjust – to increased traffic!
Please drive carefully around schools and be patient as families adapt to their back-to-school schedules. 🚦👮🏻♀️
Here's to a wonderful school year ahead, Greater Victoria!
QUIZ: Name the BC athlete who shocked the rhythmic gymnastics world by winning Olympic gold in LA in 1984 despite finishing 23rd at the Worlds just one year earlier. Talk about perfect timing! (answer below)
Metchosin (we see you!) ❤️
Happy Metchosin Community Day! (Sept 7th).
Here are three very different but exciting ways to celebrate Metchosin this weekend.
1 Farm to Table Dinner at Sea Bluff Farm Sept 6 (Sat) - Meet Chef Heidi Fink and the Farmer, get a farm tour, and enjoy a sense of connection to your food and community while you enjoy your meal @565 Wootton Road 5-8:30pm
2 Metchosin Potions & Notions Witchy Oddities Market Sept 6 (Sat) - Embrace your inner Witch! Treat yourself to astrology, tarot and mediumship readings @Methosin Community Hall, 4401 William Head Road 10am-4pm
3 Metchosin Community Day Sept 7 (Sun) - Pet Show, Baking Contest, and a LOT more! - like a tomato competition between Greater Victoria Mayors 😃 @4450 Happy Valley Road 11am-5:30pm
+ Langford vs. Metchosin 🍅Tomato Challenge:
Langford Mayor Scot Goodmanson and Metchosin Mayor Marie-Térèse Little will face off in a culinary throw down to establish summer salad supremacy! (Metchosin Community Day at 3pm)
Another 17 Amazing Events This Week
Festivals
Victoria: Bad Rabbit Radio Live – Music, games, food trucks Sept 3 (Wed) @Ship Point (Inner Harbour) 6-8pm
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Ribfest Sept 5-7 (Fri-Sun) - A fun family event to raise charitable money for Esquimalt @Bullen Park, 527 Fraser St. Opens 11am each day
Colwood: Lagoon Arts & Culture Festival Sept 12-13 (Fri/Sat) @Goldfinch Arts Centre and Lagoon West Park, Fri 5-7pm/Sat 8:30am-5pm
Arts and Cultural Experiences
Victoria: Talent Show Social – Celebrate local talent Sept 4 (Thur) @Roxy Theatre, 2657 Quadra St. 6pm
+ Blind Dates Live! Hosted by Alex Forman. Real People. Real Dates Sept 6 (Sat) - watch singles take the stage for a live first blind date! @The Mint Restaurant 1414 Douglas St. 8pm
Colwood: Music in the Park Sept 6 (Sat) @Herm Williams Park on Kelly Road 5:30-7:30pm
Sidney: Annual West Coast Tugboat Project Exhibit Sept 5-11 (week) @ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park 10am-4pm
View Royal: Craft Night at the 6 Mile Pub – Crushed Glass & Epoxy Resin Sept 8 (Mon) @494 Island Hwy 6:30-8:30pm
Nature Adventures
Oak Bay: Paddle for Health Sept 6 (Sat) - Beach fun and a scenic group ocean paddle in support of local families facing childhood cancer. A family-friendly event that allows you to make a difference in your community
Sooke: Exploring Indigenous Perspectives (Self-guided Walk) All Ages Sept 6 (Sat) - Anytime between 11am-2pm @East Sooke Regional Park Island View Beach Regional Park (walk begins at the Aylard Farm parking lot off Becher Bay Road)
Sports Fun
North Saanich: ⛸️Meet the Peninsula Panthers: Everyone Welcome Skate Sept 7 (Sun) - Admissions and skate rentals included @Panorama Recreation, 1885 Forest Drive 12:15-1:30pm
Langford: 🏈 Football Match: Westshore Rebels vs Kamloops Broncos Sept 6 (Sat) @Starlight Stadium, 1089 Langford Pkwy 4pm
Markets
Esquimalt: Esquimalt Farmers Market Sept 4 (Thur) @Memorial Park 4:30-7pm
Sidney: Sidney Street Market Sept 4 (Thur) @Beacon Avenue 5:30-8:30pm
Victoria: Clothing Swap & Shop Fundraiser Sept 6 (Sat) @Fairfield Community Centre, 1341 Thurlow Road 10am-3pm
+ James Bay Market Sept 6 (Sat) @Corner of Menzies & Superior 9am–3pm
Saanich: PKOLS Farmers Market Sept 7 (Sun) @Lambrick Park, 4139 Torquay Drive 10am-2pm
Featured Sponsor: WEST COAST RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
From beginners to aspiring Olympians, West Coast Rhythmic Gymnastics nurtures every child's potential in a supportive, fun environment. Registration is now open for all our Fall Programs. Whether your child is just starting out or heading back for another season, we’ve got the perfect class for them!
To learn more visit https://westcoastrhythmics.ca
QUIZ ANSWER: Lori Fung Methorst (Fun fact: LA hosts the Summer Olympics again in 2028!)
News Bites
Silent Book Clubs are spreading across Greater Victoria. Designed with introverted reading types in mind there is a Victoria chapter and a Westshore chapter. Victoria News
Victoria has a new Chief of Police! First order of business for Fiona Wilson: becoming more familiar with the communities she now serves by going out on patrol with her officers. Times Colonist
Word getting out on Victoria’s Let’s Talk Program. Talking to a stranger has become a little easier as this new program provides a way to meet someone new in a low-pressure way. Saanich News
Next Week: Stay tuned for the start of our new “Featured Monthly Scoop!” 🍦🍦🍦
