With more than 10,000 people spread over 1.7-kilometres along the Gorge Waterway from Tillicum to Admirals Road, and dozens of features and events on the route, thereB次元官网网址檚 an annual question of how to best navigate the
To make it easier, the organizers of the 19th annual Gorge Canada Day Picnic have taken the navigation to the next level, creating an . It works well with smart phones, a handy pocket guide to maximize a stroll through SaanichB次元官网网址檚 biggest annual event.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 extremely helpful,B次元官网网址� said Rob Wickson, president of the Gorge Tillicum Community Association, whoB次元官网网址檚 been on the organizing committee all 19 years. B次元官网网址淲ith so much going on this allows you to see where everything is and bring them up, everything.B次元官网网址�
The organizing committee estimated upwards of 15,000 people came through the picnic last year.
B次元官网网址淲e [estimated] close to 15,000 last year, itB次元官网网址檚 hard to get a pure count because people come and go, itB次元官网网址檚 a whole neigbhourhood,B次元官网网址� Wickson said. B次元官网网址淧eople arrive by water, from across the Craigflower Bridge, and any number ways, thereB次元官网网址檚 so many entry points.B次元官网网址�
This year View Royal is adding a neighbouring event with the opening of Craigflower Manor for the day. The Manor will have a beer garden, run by the Highland Games Society.
ItB次元官网网址檚 not associated with the same event as the Gorge Canada Day Picnic, but it does lead back to the original plan from 1999, Wickson said.
B次元官网网址淭he vision in 1999 was to close Craigflower Bridge for the event. ItB次元官网网址檒l be interesting to see if thereB次元官网网址檚 an appetite from people to do that. This is an event started by the community and itB次元官网网址檚 going to continue that way. ItB次元官网网址檚 a take charge event by the community, not asking for others to do something, but doing something itself, because this isnB次元官网网址檛 Saanich staffB次元官网网址檚 community.B次元官网网址�
This yearB次元官网网址檚 July 1 event includes the usual, starting at 8:30 a.m. with the parade, followed by dozens of art exhibits, market stalls, voyageur canoe rides, music stages, a car show and tons of food.
Most importantly, the map can be easily navigated on smart phones, with clickable links showing where the live music and other events will be. It also shows the traffic barriers which will be erected about one block north of Gorge Road, for those early birds seeking parking nearby.
Festivities culminate at 4 p.m., at which time plenty of buses will head downtown where Victoria is hosting the 150th Canada Day celebration. Gorge Road from Tillicum to Admirals will be closed to traffic from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The parade will boast a guest appearance by the Queen of England and Princess Kate. A guest reincarnation of Emily Carr will also be around to tell stories and do a little painting, of course.
Families are welcome to join the firetrucks and police cars in the parade, and kids are encouraged to decorate their bicycles with flags and wear red.
The parade route starts at Tillicum and slinks up Gorge Road, ending at Admirals where thereB次元官网网址檚 a pancake breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park. Plate of pancakes for $3. Coffee for $1.
Nearly everything else is free but for a nominal fee to attend the Strawberry Tea or take a voyageur canoe ride, hosted by the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park.
Need to know:
The picnic is rain or shine. Bring sunscreen, a hat and walking shoes.
Bring a reusable water bottle. There is a CRD water cart refilling station.
Transit:
No. 11 bus will run from Tillicum Mall down Tillicum to Gorge Road at the Tillicum/Gorge Road intersection until 6 p.m. It will not run through the Admirals/Tillicum/Gorge neighbourhood.
A shuttle bus will operate from lower Tillicum Mall to Burnside, right on Tillicum, right on Obed, left on Dysart, right on Cowper, left on Admirals to Craigflower, left on Tillicum back to Tillicum Mall at the approximate scheduled departure times in the riderB次元官网网址檚 guide.
The shuttle bus will stop on Craigflower at Admirals and Craigflower at Tillicum (Gorge Golf Course) to connect with the No. 14 and No. 26, and on: Tillicum at Gorge to get to the Gorge Picnic or connect with No. 8 or No. 11 to downtown.
