May 20 - Holiday Monday's big event(s)

Good morning !

We hope you’re enjoying this last day of the long weekend (and hope you get a long weekend). Today’s parade is one of the biggest local events, so yesterday we asked if you intend to attend. Most respondents said they don’t have any such plans, but about 10% intended to get out there and about another 10% were in the “maybe” camp.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 18 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌧 13 / 9

Day after: 🌧 16 / 9

7-day forecast

NEWS

Tens of thousands expected at Victoria’s Victoria Day

Victoria’s longest-running parade will feature floats, marching bands, and performances in its 124th edition, which begins at 9am. Pre-pandemic, the parade drew as many as 80,000 people. Here’s what to know about holiday Monday’s events:

Getting around 

Douglas itself will be closed up to Tolmie (along with one block on the streets attached to it) but reopened in phases as the parade passes. Douglas bus stops will be located along Blanshard instead today. Parking in City parkades and metered spots is free, and the bike valet will run 8:30am to 5pm.

Or watch from home 

CHEK’s livestream will air here beginning at 9am.

The Douglas Mile

This run / walk will proceed ahead of the full parade; it is collecting donations for the Parkinson Wellness Centre.

World Cultural Festival

Centennial Square will host performances from 11am to 4pm including bhangra, salsa, Philippine folk dancing, Tae Kwon Do, and much more. Vendors, artisans, and a bouncy castle will also be in the square.

Canvas Family Fest on the Westshore

Family Fest is a free family-friendly event coming to Veterans Memorial Park from 11am to 3pm. Game and prize stations, art booths, an inflatable castle, food, live music, and more. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Today is a stat holiday in BC.

Spring COVID boosters will be available until the end of June. [BC]

Victoria road closures and construction map.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Will other local councils answer Victoria’s call for help on homelessness?

The central municipality has been feeling “that we’ve taken on too much,” in the words of Coun. Jeremy Caradonna. The city has looked at billing the province for street- and shelter-related support funding it allocates, and now councillors are turning to neighboring municipalities.

Caradonna argues that a more contemporary model for support services would have them spread out rather than concentrated downtown. Colwood Mayor Doug Kobayashi says this spreading-out of services would make sense—if the province also spreads some funding around to make it happen.

Of the 832 supportive housing units in the capital region, 680 are in Victoria and currently, while there are no shelters in Langford, Colwood or Sooke on BC Housing’s list.

But that doesn’t mean homelessness hasn’t reached the western communities. Danbrook Park, Langford’s only overnight-shelter park, there is often an encampment, while reports last year said squatters had taken up residence in abandoned homes on Sunderland.

Read the full story at The Westshore. 

NEWS

Local ice cream spots to chill out at

It’s starting to look like summer more and more, which means it's also looking like ice cream season more and more. With sun today and cooler clouds later this week, the holiday may be your best day for a waffle cone stacked high with locally made craft ice cream.

Tasting Victoria compiled a selection of some of the best ice cream spots to grab a cone on the way back from the beach or to pick up a pint to enjoy at home. From scoops and bars to ice cream sandwiches and milkshakes, here is what’s available from (and to) locals.

SPONSORED BY PHILOSOPHY MD

Special event: Philosophy MD celebrates anniversary with open house

Victoria's award-winning medical spa Philosophy MD will celebrate its second trip around the sun on May 23 with an open house from 11am to 7pm. The community is invited to meet the experts, tour the artfully designed centre, and toast to healthy skin and confidence! Shop anniversary treatment packages, skincare, and other luxe retail treasures. 

Bring a friend, and RSVP by email to [email protected].

⭐️ Capital Picks

🌳 Camas bloom in a Garry oak meadow in Uplands Park. [Photo]

🏮 On May 26, Victoria Chinatown Museum Society’s Awakening Chinatown Festival offers cultural performances, arts, crafts, games, dance, opera, magic and more. Free family fun!*

🐦 These young ravens in Saanich have fledged. [Facebook photos]

🏡 Discover the elements of living at BELLA PARK at Royal Bay. West Coast contemporary 1 and 2 bedroom residences, designed around a unique central wellness concept. Register today.* 

🤝 Now hiring: Line Cook at The Rose Neighbourhood Public House.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Small US community raises $45K to send marching band to Victoria
One of the parade participants today is Hoquiam High, which continues the tradition of Washington school marching bands coming up to perform. The community of 8,700 gathered the funds the students will need. [Times Colonist]

‘Look again!’: Nanoose Bay woman wins $500k, not $5
Marie Hobenshield told BCLC that people nearby hugged and congratulated her after the attendant corrected her on the amount. She plans to help her grandkids with university and take family to Germany, her late husband's birthplace.

96-year-old Islander takes a flight—with grandson as pilot
Ryan Godard says his Gigi has been a lifelong inspiration, but that due to her age she took some convincing to come up with him after he got his licence. [CTV]

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🗓️ Things to do

 🎥 Ru at Cinecenta: This drama film about a refugee family settling in Montreal plays at the UVic theatre. Today. 7pm.

🎸 Band!Bands!Bands!: Dreamworld Panic, Suoscietal, Tyler James Johnson, and Transitional Alien will perform at Victoria Event Centre. Tuesday. Doors 7pm, show 7:30pm.

📚 Book signings: Local authors of 4 new books about the outdoors on the Island. Signings begin at noon. 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Victoria rents up 5% vs. last year, though there has been a slight dip since fall/winter peaks. [Sun. newsletter]
CORRECTION: Yesterday’s item on rent prices should have said that last year BC had a net loss to specifically interprovincial emigration vs. immigration.

Grey whales’ incredible migration through Island waters happens every spring. [Capital Daily]

New camping spots in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park. [The Westshore]

The majesty of Antarctica captured by Island photographer Kristian Gillies. 

Fort Nelson wildfire: 10 homes destroyed or damaged as of Sun. [CP]

Grave robbery: A dozen memorial vases stolen from headstones in Cedar cemetery. [Nanaimo News Now]

That’s it!

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