Ross Bay Villa offers summertime guided tours
Take an escorted journey back in time as the Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum brings back its summertime guided tours, now until Aug. 18.
Discover local history at the museum, a volunteer-led heritage site and restoration project in Fairfield.
Visitors can walk down a path shaded with heritage apple trees and a period garden to step into one of the few 1860s houses still standing in Victoria.
Erected in 1865, the Gothic Revival-style house was built for Victoria businessman Francis Roscoe and his wife, Anna Letitia Roscoe. At that time, the property was located far away from the bustling streets of an upstart gold rush town.
From the bright and airy drawing room to the charming children’s bedroom, the house has been restored with care and attention to detail to appear as it did when the Roscoe family called it home.
Guided tours are $7.50 per person. Tours take place 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday and must be booked ahead of time. Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum is located at 1490 Fairfield Rd. Drop by between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday for Gift Shop In the Garden, a unique vintage store with everything from clothing and books to fine china and unexpected treasures (this outdoor event is weather dependent).
Ticket sales support the Ross Bay Villa Society, which owns and operates Ross Bay Villa.
For more information, go to . To book, go to
Victoria Latin Fest takes over Centennial Square this weekend
Take in Latin-American inspired music, dance, food and cultural activities at the Viva! Victoria Latin Fest, at Centennial Square, Saturday and Sunday.
This is third year of the two-day event for the whole family. It showcases the best of Latin American culture and talent. There will be music, performances by Latino and Latina dancers and a Zumba class both days.
Festival organizer Moises del Olmo sees the event as a celebration of diversity.
“There are more than 22 countries in Latin America. Each one has a unique and rich culture,” he says. “I have always believed that if we can bring Victoria’s growing Latino communities together with a festival like this, then we can share and celebrate our cultural diversity with others.”
The festival is free to attend. It runs noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 5 and 6 in Centennial Square.
There is also an after-party with the Obatala Cuban Orchestra, at the Sticky Wicket, Sunday.
Get ready to shake your skeleton with the live music that will make you feel like you are in Havana.
You will also find a wide variety of drinks for a unique night full of Latin flavours.
Advance tickets $10 or $15 at the door. The party kicks off at 8 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Sticky Wicket, 919 Douglas St.
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Comox Nautical Days sets sail Saturday
Celebrate the upcoming long weekend at the Comox Nautical Days, Marina Park, Aug. 5 to 7.
The family-friendly event includes a parade, pancake breakfast, sailboat races, fishing derby, square dancing, foot race, pet parade and harbour tours — topped off with a fireworks display at 10 p.m. Monday.
There will be rides, games and crafts for children and the Rotary Splash Park and Playground is sure to be a big hit.
Also on site: more than 100 craft booths and food trucks.
The Comox Valley Vintage Wheels car show, with vintage, classic, custom and special interest vehicles, runs on Monday at the East Parking Lot of the park.
Leave your car at home as sa国际传媒 Transit and the Comox Valley Regional District has partnered to offer free fares and a special service schedule on Aug. 7. There will be a bike lock-up area.
The event is free to attend. It runs 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday and noon to 9:50 p.m. Monday. All events are at Comox’s Marina Park, 127 Port Augusta St.
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Wonderment kicks off Friday in Victoria
Enjoy and discover ambient and electro-acoustic music at various Victoria area venues as Wonderment returns for the sa国际传媒 Day weekend, Friday to Monday.
This is the eighth edition of the event, which features performances with influences drawing from folk, jazz, world music, krautrock and shoegaze.
Wonderment kicks off with performances by the Lekwungen Dancers, Tsimka and Michael Red and Matthew Cardinal, 7 to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 at Fisherman’s Wharf. Performances move to Songhees Park Plaza (Johnson Street Bridge), 7 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 5. The latter is dance-oriented with a concert atmosphere, which may not suit children.
There will be six performances at Beacon Hill Park’s Cameron Bandshell, from 2 to 10 p.m. Aug. 6. The venue moves to Banfield Park, Aug. 7, with music from 2 to 5 p.m.
All the outdoor events are all-ages and free. Events are held at venues with playgrounds and public washrooms either on site or immediately adjacent to the event area. Beacon Hill Park does not allow for concessions so please bring your own water and food, with a “pack-it-in, pack-it-out” mindset. Washrooms and a children’s playground are adjacent to Cameron Bandshell. Additional wheelchair parking will be available in the traffic loop off Douglas Street (south of Avalon Road).
No smoking/vaping at any park. Leave pets at home. Service dogs and emotional support animals are allowed.
Evening, 19-plus licensed events are on Friday to Sunday at Capital Ballroom and Victoria Event Centre. Tickets are $25 per night or $60 for a weekend pass.
The event is supported by the Government of sa国际传媒, Province of sa国际传媒, Capital Regional District and City of Victoria.
Details at
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