About the Gorge Canada Day Picnic
2024 EVENT: The Gorge Tillicum Community Assocation is excited to host you in our community on Monday July 1, 2024!
The first Gorge Canada Day Picnic (GCDP) in 1999 came about through the vision and hard work of a small group of Gorge Tillicum Community Association (GTCA) volunteers. The key ideas were to have a day that Gorge residents could enjoy, traffic-free, along the Waterway and to build community through a popular celebration. We knew the Gorge had long been associated by older Victoria generations with fun and celebration, so we were just continuing a longstanding tradition.
With the support of Saanich municipality to close the road, we went about the job of filling up the 1.7km "stage" with fun, family oriented events. And we were fortunate enough to get it right almost from the beginning — many of the events you see today began in the early years of the GCDP and have maintained their popularity: the Family Parade; the Pancake Breakfast; the Canada Day Market; the Classic Car Show; the kids' games and road hockey; and the Strawberry Tea.
The first year went off without a hitch, but there were lots of open spaces in contrast to the busy and increasingly popular event you see today. One GCDP led to another, and thankfully many of the same team who produced the early Picnics have stayed involved over the years.
While there have been highlights over the years, the real highlight is the safe, secure and joyous event we've created for the growing numbers of residents and friends — now estimated at 10,000 to 12,000 people — who come each July 1st. The Picnic Committee is strong and vibrant and the event remains a largely volunteer-run operation but also benefits from significant support from Saanich and our sponsors.
Event News
01 July, 2024 - Wow, what a day! Happy faces everywhere (well, maybe a few hot and tired people here and there) and a fantastic celebration here on the Gorge Waterway. We enjoyed hosting you in our neighbourhood. Thank-you to all our sponsors and volunteers and to our neighbourhood!
01 July, 2024 - It's on! The food is great, the music is playing, and classic cars are shining! Come on down, it's on until 4pm.
30 June, 2023 - While we have 24 Food Vendors to serve you, new for 2024, the GTCA tent will have a small concession with water, chips, & snacks for $2.
29 June, 2023 - Riding your bicycles to the event? There will be bicycle valet parking staffed by Capital City Bike. They will be in the parking lot near the playground just past the Gorge & Tillicum intersection. If you are entering from the Gorge & Admirals side, there will be limited lock-up racks in the parking lot by the playground. This event is closed to traffic and that means that the bicycle lanes are also closed. There are thousands of pedestrians and they need space to walk. We will also have Food Vendors parked in some of the bike lane space.
25 June, 2024 - We are looking forward to the welcoming the Victoria Symphony to their first time at the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. They will be in the Kids' Zone with an Instrument Petting Zoo!
10 June, 2024 - We are looking forward to the Main Stage 2024 line-up! Penny Belle will kick off the day at noon. At 1:15pm come tap your toes to the high energy Avram McCagherty Quartet. To end the day, come dance away to The Fabulous B-Sides!
21 May, 2024 - Gorge on Art has become a staple feature of the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. You can visit 28 local artists and view their art. This zone also features one of the day's three stages. For 2024, the entertainment line-up at Gorge on Art will again feature musicians from the Victoria Conservatory of Music!
07 April, 2024 - We have 50 Market Vendors registered so far, and 18 Food Vendors including long-time favourites and some new flavours this year too!
02 January, 2024 - Yes, the Gorge Canada Day Picnic is on again in 2024! Plan to be there on Monday July 1, 2024.
About the GTCA
The Gorge Tillicum Community Association (GTCA) has established itself as a vibrant, proactive community group in south Saanich. We have achieved a great deal and our strength has been attracting great local people who invest their time, energy and skill to help build our community's future.
The Gorge Tillicum Community Association is a voluntary organization that is recognized by Saanich as the representative voice of our community on local issues. We promote a healthy, vibrant community by addressing issues such as environment and parks, traffic and transportation, land use planning and streetscapes, social wellness, and community celebration.
We have good working relationships with Saanich Council and municipal staff, as well as with other community agencies. In addition, we also receive the support of several local and regional businesses for the Gorge Canada Day Picnic.
more about us >How to Get Involved
To get involved as a volunteer, vendor, performer, or sponsor, please read our FAQs.
A Community Event
Event Map
We've plotted event locations, food vendors, and facilities in a Google map so you can use your smarphone or tablet as a guide.
Take me there!Download the event programme!
The programme includes a map (event locations, food vendors, facilities, etc.) and complete event schedule. You can also use our online interactive map on your smartphone or tablet.
Download 2024 Programme!Download the event poster!
Share the Gorge Canada Day event with friends, colleagues, and neighbours.
Download 2024 Poster!