June 14 - Father's Day events in Victoria this weekend

Good morning !

Hands up for those of you who no longer have their dads around.
Yeah, me too. And every Father’s Day is another reminder.
If you’re lucky enough to be able to, hug your dad tomorrow.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 19 / 10 

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 19 / 11

Monday: 🌤️ 19 / 12

NEWS

Father's Day events happening in Victoria this weekend

Father’s Day is tomorrow, and Victoria has plenty of fun experiences for families looking to celebrate the father figures in their lives. The day coincides with the lead-up to summer, so there’s no shortage of fun activities. 

There are multiple events this weekend—Heritage Acres Summer Fair and FernFest are just two great options for all ages—but if you want something catered to dads, check out our roundup:

Dads and Ducks at Butterfly Gardens | Sun. | 1pm
The second annual Father’s Day duck race will take place tomorrow, with free entry for fathers. The team with the winning rubber duck will score a Fun Day pass with free admission for five adults. [Entrance fee; fathers exempt]

Father’s Day at Merridale Cider | Sat. & Sun. | Multiple time slots
Treat Dad to a pizza night in the beautiful Merridale orchard. Drinks can be added when booking, with plenty of fresh, local cider on offer. [Reservations required]

Malahat Skywalk Father’s Day | Sat. & Sun. | All day
Take the family out to the Skywalk for a day exploring the South Island views—fathers get free entry this weekend. [Entrance fee]

The Raymond James Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer | Sun. | 10am
Cheer on runners as they raise funds for dads and other men battling prostate cancer, or join the race (registration ends June 14). Starting at Vancouver Island Technology Park. [$40]

Father’s Day Brunch at Langford Legion | Sun. | 11am-1pm
Start your Sunday with some bacon and eggs at Legion 91’s buffet brunch. [$25]

Small Gods Father’s Day Brewery Tours | Sun. | 12pm-4pm
Free tours are available for those celebrating a beer lover this weekend. [Free]

Family Fishing Day | Sat. | 9am-4pm
The Victoria Fish and Game Protection Association is hosting a day of fishing for rainbow trout in celebration of Father’s Day. All ages and abilities are welcome. [Fees may apply]

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

A new loo in Sidney. Waterfront Walkway near Beacon Park.

UV Index High (7) today, but air quality fine.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is tomorrow.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Former pastor sentenced for 2022 arson at Victoria Ukrainian church residence

Nanaimo’s Walter “Theo” Machinski was sentenced to 3.5 years this week for setting fire to a home owned by the neighbouring Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Machninski was a priest at that church from 2011 to 2015. The home he burned was occupied by one of his successors, Yuriy Vyshnevskyy. 

Around 1am on April 20, 2022, the Vyshnevskyy family—including children then aged 5, 7, and 11—woke up to gasoline being poured through the mail slot of the home on Caledonia and Cook, Yuriy said.

Fire led to a serious injury

Three family members leapt from a second-floor window to escape the flames, while one exited the first floor, and another was rescued by firefighters. The daughter, aged 11, was badly cut by glass and had surgeries for bone fractures and nerve damage, according to a family update on their fundraiser page. The family cat also required surgery. Three fundraisers raised $60K+ for the family. The home remains uninhabitable, per police.

VicPD said they arrested Machinski in 2023 after studying forensic analysis, pursuing numerous leads from the public, and sifting through CCTV footage from Victoria to Nanaimo. Following his stint at the Victoria church, Machinski had been a priest at Nanaimo’s Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Michael the Archangel. After his departure, the church employed two subsequent priests for short terms in 2015 and then Vyshnevskyy.

Hate motive ruled out

Machinski was charged with—and is now sentenced for—one count of arson with disregard for human life. Initially, there was concern that the fire, occurring only a few months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, was a hate crime. But when Machinski was arrested in 2023, police said it was “a targeted offence, in which the accused was known to the family,” but “not motivated by hatred towards an identifiable group.”

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🪓 Old-school logging: See photos of workers logging by hand—with the help of oxen and horses—in Chemainus, 1890. [Facebook photos]

🤲🏼 Community Action Funds are convenient and flexible ways to make confident decisions in your giving. Learn about how your generosity can make the greatest impact in our community today.*

🚌 Victoria Regional Transit meeting on June 17.

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🗞️ In Other News

Motorcyclist rushed to hospital after hitting deer on TCH
The collision happened around 11:20am Thu. in the southbound lane of the highway near the West Shore Parkway, which was closed for an hour. Paramedics worked on the motorcyclist who was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The injured deer had to be euthanized. [CHEK]

Court challenges will slow BC infrastructure projects if First Nations not properly consulted, leaders say
Terry Teegee, BC’s regional chief, said major infrastructure projects will wilt away in the court process if the government doesn’t follow its “own laws,” referring to UNDRIP, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. First Nations say they were only given one week to review proposed federal legislation to fast-track big projects. First Nations feel similarly hesitant about BC’s new Infrastructure Projects Act, or Bill 15, introduced last month to speed up the building of public projects. [CP]

Jane Austen to be celebrated all weekend in Victoria
The English novelist’s 250th birthday would be this December, so this year fans of the Pride and Prejudice author will be doing all things Jane. This weekend’s Wit & Wisdom conference features talks on the iconic writer’s work and a Regency Ball tonight. Members of the Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) will also stroll Ogden Point “in full Regency-era” costumes tomorrow morning (9-10am). [JASNA-Victoria schedule]

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🗓️ Things to do

🪵 Ship Point Market: Enjoy beautiful scenery, unique artwork, and Victoria’s vibrant downtown harbour, and check out Artists on the Causeway, buskers, food vendors, and more. Ship Point. Today & tomorrow. [Info]

🎶 FernFest: A free outdoor community gathering with live music and local food and drink. Fernwood Square. Today. 11:30am-10pm. [Info]

🛍️ Outdoor Pop-up Vintage Fair: Shop retro clothing, toys, and home goods in front of Lazy Susans in Oak Bay. Today. 9:30am-4pm. [Info] 

🏳️‍🌈 Sidney Pride Festival is today: Learn local queer history from the Sidney Museum, plus button-making, music, local vendors, merch, face painting, drag story time, kids’ play zone, a pet photo op, and more. 11am-3pm at Beacon Park Bandshell. [Info]

😜 Esquimalt Neighbourhood Party: Esquimalt’s biggest block party is back, with live performances, a bouncy castle, volleyball courts & a kids’ market. Parking is limited. Bullen Park. Today. 11am-2pm. [Info]

🥁 Change-Makers Gathering Festival: Check out Métis dot painting stations, Indigenous hip hop artists, traditional drum groups, collages, artisans, an interactive Coast Salish Community Chalk Art project, Beaded Word Art, arcade games, cedar weaving workshops—and a free bannock taco lunch for all attendees. 11am-5pm at Langford Station. [Info]

🤠 Coastal Barn Dance: Celebrate all those awesome cowgirls in your life. This event features live music by the country female duo JaimesonRhy, bull rides, and a special ladies’ prize draw. Saanich Fairgrounds. Doors 8pm. [Info / tickets]

🇵🇭 MABUHAY! Celebrate Philippine Culture: Two full days of cultural performances, fun games, inspiring messages, and non-stop energy at Mabuhay! Celebrating Filipino Heritage Month. Centennial Square. Today & tomorrow. 10am-6pm. [nfo]

🪙 Burnside Gorge Community Garage Sale: Connect with your neighbours: Whether you’re selling or shopping, it’s a great way to give old items new life. Today. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🚢 30 years of HMCS Calgary: The local warship with the distinctive blue “dazzle camo” will be celebrated at Ogden Point. A military parade at 9am, a free pancake breakfast, music, a BBQ and beer garden fundraisers, face painting, road hockey, and more. Sun. 9am-4pm. [GVHA]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Victoria mayor says sorry for Dowler Place planning; BC Ferries criticized for Chinese ferry-building deal; Oak Bay potty art makes a splash. [June 13]

Cougar, black bear spotted in Saanich. [Times Colonist]

Beacon Hill Children’s Farm hits 40 years. [CTV] 

Barred owl in Sooke catches lunch, shows off camouflage skills. [Facebook photos]