Features & Events

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  Canada Day Family Parade (9:00am)

  Starts at 9 a.m. near the Gorge and Tillicum intersection. Come down between 8:30 and 9 a.m. to join the fire trucks and police cars in the parade with your family and dog. We encourage kids to decorate their bicycles and wear lots of red and white! We also invite you to dress up your (well-behaved and friendly) dog and join in! The route is along Gorge Rd, ending at Admirals Rd at the Pancake Breakfast! map >
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  Pancake Breakfast (8:30am to 11am)

  The pancake breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m. at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park, on the Admirals end of Gorge Road, and runs until 11 a.m. The Saanich Fire Department runs the breakfast, with proceeds to their charity. Plate of pancakes for $5. Coffee for $2. Cash or Credit Card accepted (but if payment machine is down, then cash only). This is a very popular event and we regret if not everyone gets served, but note that most of our food vendor trucks and carts are open early too! map >

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  Canada Day Market (9am to 4pm)

  Local and regional entrepreneurs selling handmade cards, natural soaps and body products, unique clothing, jewelry and accessories, household products, and much more. map >
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  Gorge on Art (9am to 4pm)

  Local professional and emerging visual artists exhibit their work along the scenic Gorge Waterway. See paintings, sculpture, photographs, ceramics, watercolours, jewellery and textiles, and meet and discuss the artists' work. map >
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  Gorge Tillicum Canada Day Show & Shine car show (9am to 4pm)

  The car show is an extremely popular attraction, get there early to beat the crowds! There is always a good mix of classic, vintage, or customized cars to admire, including European and domestic, hot rods, muscle cars, and race cars all shined up with their owners waiting to tell you all about them! Thank-you to EY Properties Ltd. for sponsoring this part of the day.map >
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  Multicultural Food Vendors (9am to 4pm)

  Enjoy the many sweet and savory food vendors at the Canada Day Picnic. There are over 20 Food Vendors including Mexican, Indian, pizza, smokies & hotdogs, Greek, empanadas, burgers, fresh squeeze lemonade, mini-donuts, baked goods, langos, ice cream, and fruitsicles. map >
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  Victoria Symphony Instrument Petting Zoo (9am to 4pm)

  The Victoria Symphony Society will be bringing lots of fun instruments for kids to learn about and try-out.map >
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  Strawberry Tea (1:30pm to 3:30pm)

  The delicious Strawberry Tea is Set in the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club building. Fresh strawberries on cake are served with tea, coffee, or lemonade for $5 per person. Bring cash. Enjoy a break and an excellent Gorge waterway view from an historic house! map >
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  Saanich Fire Dept Display (9am to 4pm)

  Saanich Fire Dept will be participating in the parade at 9am and then displaying Fire Prevention information at their tent, showing off one of their fire trucks, and other impressive vehicles.map >
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  GTCA Tent (All day)

  Meet your community association board members at the GTCA tent located in Craigflower-Kosapsom Park. The tent serves as an information booth, the Lost & Found, and the Picnic headquarters control centre. You can also sign up for or renew your membership. We will have a small concession, $2 for water, chips, snacks.map >
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  Dragon Boat & Canoe Rides (9:30am to 2:30/3pm)

  Paddle in a Dragon Boat or a voyageur canoe with rides along the historic Gorge Waterway offered by the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club. Rides are $2 and start at the Victoria Canoe & Kayak Club. map >
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  Kids' Activities (10am to 3pm)

  Plenty of fun activities for the kids, including games, road hockey, drumming workshops by Nick Stecz starting at 10am, "Instrument Petting Zoo" from the Victoria Symphony, and inflatables. map >
  
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  Great Music & Entertainment (10am to 4pm)

  We've got lots of music and theatre happening at 3 stages/tents and other spots all along the 2km route. Check out the stages and line-ups in the purple boxes to the right -->. map >

Street Food

Here's a list of the registered 2024 Food Vendors so far. Check out the food zones on our interactive map which shows vendors and locations for the event.

• Ali Baba Pizza
• Artisan Empanadas by Scorpion Chef
• Bite Me Cookie Company
• Cup-A-Roni
• Greek n' Go
• Greek on the Street
• Hide n' Seek
• Kira's Cookie Jar
• Kuku's Indian Cuisine
• Langos by Louie
• Lemon Heaven
• Namaste India Cuisine
• Oh Sugar!
• Optimist Club
• Poutine 66
• Salt Spring Island Fruitsicles
• Shiraz Persian Cuisine
• Softies Ice Cream
• Sub Zero Ice Cream
• Tamales Don Carlos Mexican
• The Ice Cream Truck
• Willie Wonka Candy Factory

Download the event programme and poster!

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. A print-ready version of the event poster is also available.