Despite the heat wave sweeping across B.C., high temperatures didn’t stop crowds from flocking to one of Greater Victoria’s most beloved festivals — the Oak Bay Tea Party.
Now in its 63rd year, the event began as a one-time celebration in 1962. Its popularity quickly turned it into an annual tradition, said event chair Sandy Germain.
Originally organized by Oak Bay Kiwanis Club volunteers — who jokingly called themselves the “Oak Bay Bored of Trade” — the festival has been run by the Oak Bay Tea Party Society since 1990.
The three-day event takes place each June at Willows Park, featuring midway rides, live entertainment, a parade and the signature teacup race to cap off the weekend on Sunday, June 8.
Perhaps the most anticipated event of the festival, hundreds lined the beach to watch Oak Bay Mayor Kevin Murdoch face off against Olympians Dominic Seiterle and Adam Kreek — gold medallists from the 2008 Beijing Games — and Lindsay Jennerich, who won silver at the 2016 Rio Games.
This year, everyone had one question on their mind: Could Murdoch pull off the unthinkable and beat the three Olympic rowers again?
As the race began, Murdoch pulled into an early lead in what turned out to be an extremely tight contest. On the return leg aboard his colourful carbon-fibre teacup watercraft, the tension rose. With Seiterle close on his heels, Murdoch gave it his all. But the mayor lost by just “two inches,” bringing his record to three wins in five races.
“I was watching him try to get closer and closer to me,” said Murdoch. “As we got closer to shore… Dominic made the smarter tactical move of just coming straight into the shore.
“It was really close — the closest race I've ever been in.”
Despite the fierce competition, Murdoch took the loss like a champ and said he was pleased his rivals returned for a second year, this time under sunny blue skies.
“This is a rematch after last year, which had the worst conditions we've ever had,” said Murdoch. “I'm just really grateful that they were willing to join me on this beautiful day.”
While Seiterle undoubtedly knows his way around rowing boats and oars, the teacup race remains a constant challenge for the Olympian.
“It’s barely seaworthy, but it was nicely painted,” he said, cracking a smile.
After the dust settled from what many called a historic race, Germain described this year’s event as a success, estimating it attracted nearly 15,000 people.
“It was fabulous and it was great,” said Germain. “You can't beat the weather, people turned out, and the music was amazing.”
Among the crowd, sitting on the grass and listening to a marimba performance, was Victoria resident Odette Dentzer with her two granddaughters — Coco and Ziggy — fresh off the plane from Australia.
For the grandmother, the Tea Party was the perfect way to spend quality time with her family and give them a taste of Victoria.
“It's been great and we’ve had lots of fun,” said Dentzer, as she took a lick of her granddaughter’s ice cream cone to keep it from spilling. “It's a beautiful day.”
For more information about the Oak Bay Tea Party, visit oakbayteaparty.com.
