When is the event? Where is it held?

The event takes place on July 1, Canada Day, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m., along the Gorge Waterway Park / Gorge Road West, between Tillicum and Admirals Road in Saanich. On July 1, the vehicle and bicycle lanes on Gorge Road West are closed to traffic between Tillicum and Admirals from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out our interactive map >

How do I get there if the road is closed?

On July 1 consider walking, biking, busing (Routes 8, 11 and 26) or carpooling to the Gorge Canada Day Picnic. Bicycle parking is available at each end of the event. Vehicle parking is limited to neighbourhood streets. We ask that you do NOT park at the Gorge Plaza Shopping Centre nor at the Canadian Tire plaza in View Royal, as these businesses need spots for their customers. You may have to park several blocks away and walk through our neighbourhood to Gorge Road. Please be respectful of our community, as this is a day that requires cooperation and neighbourliness — good Canadian qualities for July 1, eh?!

What about the transit buses that run along Gorge Road?

On July 1, BC Transit will re-route the #11 to run from Tillicum Mall straight down Tillicum and then along Gorge Road to downtown. It will not run through the Gorge Road/Admirals/Tillicum neighbourhood. You can get off near the Picnic by exiting at the Tillicum & Gorge Road West intersection bus stops. Please go to BC Transit's website for their service updates.

Is it a free event?

The event is free and takes place along the Gorge Waterway Park path and also on Gorge Road itself. Free activities include the Family Parade, kids' activities, the classic car show, and an amazing free and full day of excellent live music entertainment at the main stage. A variety of worthwhile activities are available for a nominal fee, including the Pancake Breakfast, Strawberry Tea, and canoe rides with the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club. Attendees also will want to bring money to enjoy the wide variety of food and artisan market vendors.

How can I find out more about the activities going on?

The Features & Events page will give you an outline of the day's events. The Picnic program will also be available for download in mid-June, should you wish to print one, and it's delivered with our June newsletter to those living in the immediate neighbourhood. You can also find us on Facebook to keep up to date.

What kinds of food and beverage will be available?

You'll find food vendors listed on the Picnic site map or on the Picnic programme (available for viewing or download on this site or the paper programmes at the event). The map on this website allows you to click on the food zones and view which vendors are there. From August to May, the vendors shown are the prior Picnic vendors, to give you an idea. Current year vendor locations will be posted in the June before the Picnic.

Things to bring to the Picnic?

The picnic goes ahead, rain or shine. As it is an outdoor event, check the weather forecast. Sunscreen, a hat, and walking shoes are recommended — it is 1.7km from Tillicum to Admirals, along Gorge Road W. In addition, you may choose to bring cash to enjoy all that is available (see above). It can be hot some years, so remember to stay hydrated all day. Finally, a happy face, and your red and white, are welcome!

Who organizes the Picnic?

The Picnic is organized by the Gorge Tillicum Community Association in conjunction with the District of Saanich, and is supported by local businesses. Please consider joining the GTCA — annual membership is just $5 to support this dynamic community association. This website has more information about the GTCA and the generous sponsors who support this event.

What about recycling and waste management?

There will be waste stations (and toilets) located in clusters along the length of Gorge Road. We try to be as kind to the environment as possible, and use Emterra for our waste recovery. Please use blue bins for cans, bottles, and other clean recyclables and green bins for compostable material (including paper). Plastic and bamboo utensils also are recyclable at the Pancake Breakfast and Strawberry Tea. Black, grey, or municipal waste bins are for garbage only.

How can I become involved as a volunteer in this great event?

You can become involved either as a volunteer or as a sponsor. We can always use more hands to set up tables and chairs in the morning (for this, just come down at 7:30am to Craigflower-Kosapsom Park), take down tables and chairs in the evening, set up road hockey, or be zone captains. If you would like to volunteer at or sponsor the event, please connect with us via our contact page.

How do I apply to be a Vendor, Performer, Artist, or Car Show Participant?

Please go to our Vendors & Participants page.

If you need assistance...

The GTCA's membership tent is located just before Craigflower-Kosapsom Park (Gorge at Admirals) in the Community Engagement booth area. The tent will serve as the Information booth, the Lost & Found, and the Picnic headquarters/control centre. Volunteers will be wearing distinctive blue shirts with a Gorge Canada Day Picnic logo. Additionally, there will be a second information tent, staffed by Saanich Parks and Recreation, in the kids' area near the bottom of Austin Ave. Saanich Police, Saanich Reserve Constables, and a First Aid organization will be on site during the day.