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July 1 - Artwork in the sky tonight
A drone light show. Canada Day events. Drag Baseball returns.
Capital Daily Team
July 01, 2024
Good morning !
We hope you have a happy and safe final day of the long weekend!
— Cam
Are you going to any of the local holiday events? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Victoria’s first drone show tonight could be a test for the future of fireworks
Fireworks over the Inner Harbour. Photos: James MacDonald / Capital Daily
The finale of the annual Inner Harbour Canada Day celebrations will look a little different tonight. Before the fireworks there will be a drone light show—something that has been rising in popularity as a silent and emission-free alternative to fireworks.
Victoria’s drone show was designed by Kwakwaka'wakw artist Rande Cook, who combines traditional Coast Salish art and contemporary mediums. He and the other collaborators wanted the show’s message to be one of support for Indigenous people in Canada. The drone show will be accompanied by a spoken word piece, written by Victoria’s Poet Laureate Marie Specht, which will include sections read in the Lekwungen language.
Victoria says it has no plans to become one of the cities making a permanent shift toward drone shows over fireworks. But with a number of complaints made about the fireworks, and the drone show being a cheaper ($25K vs. $29K) and safer option, this year’s show could be a key test of what to do next with the evolving July 1 festivities.
Read the full story by Robyn Bell for more on the artist, the process, and the common points made against fireworks.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Summer bus schedule begins today: See it here.
Highs up to 27C expected in a sunny upcoming week.
Nanaimo 13, Victoria 4 in Sunday baseball action.
Expect busy ferries for final day of long weekend.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Picnics, piggybacks, & (literally) stolen bases: Drag baseball returns today
Drag king Persi Flage batting in 2019. Photo: Peter B. Jakab Photography / Victoria Pride Society
In this baseball game, when players steal a base they quite literally pick it up and run away with it. Cleats are sometimes swapped out for stilettos or platform boots. There have been picnics at second base, cartwheel home runs, and piggy backs. The mayor throws the first pitch, but it’s more likely to be an orange or a water balloon than an actual ball.
The Memorial Drag Ball Game is back at Victoria West Park today at noon. Put on by the Victoria Pride Society, it’s a fun event for all ages to watch, complete with food, drinks, local entertainers, and face painting.
In this battle of drag kings vs. drag queens, cheating is technically not allowed until the second inning. But that’s often too hard to enforce—and the game always seems to ends in a tie anyway.
But the game is more than just fun—it’s a tradition that began 30 years ago as a way to memorialize the victims of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, including some of the original local competitors.
Read more in Capital Daily's previous story about Drag Ball, its history, and why this event is unique to Victoria.
NEWS
More holiday Monday events
Fisgard Lighthouse’s annual giant Canada flag display. Photo: Parks Canada
Yesterday we listed some of the main Canada Day / long weekend events happening today, but there are still a handful of others left to list in this Part 2.
Gorge Canada Day Picnic
A pancake breakfast, a parade, a fire truck, art exhibits, a car show, multicultural street food, road hockey, musical instruments to try out. Entertainment from Penny Belle, Capital City Syncopators, Esquimalt Nation dancers, the Victoria Conservatory of Music, and more. 9am-4pm. Full info / schedule.
Canada Day in View Royal at Craigflower Manor
Traditional Highland games, dance performances, live music, face painting, balloons, food and beer, and tours of the manor. 10am‐5pm.
Pancake breakfast in James Bay
The 8-11am event at Huntingdon Hotel & Suites and Pendray Inn and Tea House will also have face painting, historical costumes, music, and a caricaturist. All donations go to the Victoria Women's Transition House.
Canada Day at the Flats
Music, games, and more at the Sooke River Campground. 11:30-4pm.
Festivas in Metchosin
Roller skating, free cake, equestrian drill displays, music, and more. 11am-4pm.
SPONSORED BY VICTORIA FOUNDATION
Flip through Victoria Foundation's Pulse magazine today
Want to be inspired? Read through the latest community news and record-breaking financial highlights from the Victoria Foundation!
The annual Pulse magazine looks at how the Foundation and other non-profits in our region are making positive change, building on the findings in the annual Vital Signs report.
In this 2024 edition: More people are investing in social impact initiatives to build community in Greater Victoria. A wonderful couple is leaving a legacy for women’s equality in their Will. A new Indigenous Granting Advisory Pilot is putting granting power into the hands of local Indigenous leaders. And so much more!
⭐️ Capital Picks
💡The Trial Islands lighthouse surrounded by seabirds. [James MacDonald]
🐽 Gift basket raffle at Piggy & Paisley this long weekend [how to enter] to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the home of one of 2024's tastiest meals.
🤝 Now hiring: Community Engagement Consultant at Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre.
🗞️ In Other News
Victoria youth wins US fiddle competition
Max Francis won the 2024 National Swing Division Youth Champion Fiddler in Idaho, and placed second in the junior age category. [Saanich News].
Limping peacock concerns local—but whose responsibility is it?
The city, parks dept., children’s farm, Wild ARC, and Victoria Animal Control have each said that the injured bird is the responsibility of one of the others. Paul Bell, who noticed the bird and is trying to get it help, said that the BC SPCA has now opened a file. [CHEK]
Another destructive bug has reached BC
The emerald ash borer was just found around UBC—the notorious tree-killer's first established population west of Manitoba. Experts warn not to transport firewood between regions due to the risk of spread. [Times Colonist]
🗓️ Things to do
🇨🇦 Canada Day downtowm: Victoria’s Canada Day celebrations brings live performances, food, and a family zone to the Legislature Lawns. 11am-11pm.
🇨🇦 Langford Canada Day: The family-friendly free event at Starlight Stadium will include a pancake breakfast, live music, street hockey, and food vendors. 10am-3pm. [Info]
⚾ Memorial Drag Ball Game: The annual drag baseball game takes at Vic West Park. 12-3pm. [Info]
🪕 Ukulele Strumalong: Grab your ukulele and enjoy an evening of music at The Fernwood Inn. Today. 7-9pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Running 55km for peace: Student attempts to run full Galloping Goose today. [The Westshore]
Saanich Flavour Trails begin next weekend. [Tasting Victoria]
WestJet strike ends with new deal between airline and mechanics. [CityNews]
Saturday news: Comedy legend visits Victoria. CRD plans new development cost charges. The food of Pride. [June 29]
Guide to Victoria food trucks: Grab some good food on the go this week. [Tasting Victoria]
Woodpecker in a polka-dot vest: A northern flicker gets a drink.
Date your city: Have your say on Victoria’s upcoming Official Community Plan—with a dating app twist.
City rejects applications to give hotel status to two former STR operators. [Times Colonist]
Vancouver FC 2, Pacific FC 1 in Thursday soccer setback.
That’s it!
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