Kids games, market, music and more make up a two-kilometre stretch of family fun for a Canada Day event that draws an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people to the Gorge Waterway in Saanich.
The first Gorge Canada Day Picnic in 1999 came about through the vision and hard work of a small group of Gorge Tillicum Community Association volunteers. The idea was to have a day that Gorge residents could enjoy, traffic-free, along the Waterway and to build community through a popular celebration.
That vibe continues into 2025 with a parade and pancakes kicking off a community celebration July 1.
Activities unique to the Gorge picnic include voyageur canoe rides on the Gorge and strawberry tea at the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club. The event features a couple dozen food trucks, a dunk tank, puppets, ponies and more.
The pancake breakfast runs 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Craigflower-Kosapsom Park, on the Admirals' end of Gorge Road, hosted by Saanich Fire Department, with proceeds to their charity.
Saanich Fire is also among those participating in the parade, then hosting a display with fire prevention information, a fire truck and other impressive vehicles. It runs concurrently with the market, food vendors, art show, and classic car show – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Victoria Symphony Society is also on hand with instruments for kids to learn about and try out.
The Strawberry Tea at the Victoria Canoe and Kayak Club from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. features fresh strawberries on cake served with tea, coffee, or lemonade for $7 per person.
Dragon boat and canoe rides – for $2 – start at 9:30 a.m. and run til about 3 p.m. from the club on the waterway.
Plenty of fun activities for the kids, including games, road hockey, drumming workshops by Nick Stecz starting at 10 a.m. and includes an “Instrument Petting Zoo" from the Victoria Symphony.
Music and theatre fill three stages and tents along the route from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visit gorgecanadaday.ca for a full schedule and map.
