Oak Bay Travel Bites
News from Oak Bay, Victoria’s Seaside
Village Winter 2007
www.oakbaytourism.com
Oak Bay Artists Open Their Doors
On November 24 and 25 artists will open their doors for the annual winter Oak
Bay Studio Tour 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Over a dozen artists participate
in this free, self-guided tour weekend where spectators can get a glimpse into
the artistic process. Art ranges from watercolours to pottery and weaving. Studio
tour maps are available online at www.oakbaytourism.com
or at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre, Oak Bay Library and many Oak Bay merchants.
Fit in Some Relaxation, Before the Holiday Rush
In anticipation of a busy holiday season the Oak Bay Guest House is offering
a Butchart Gardens Package October 15 – December 15. This package includes
a bottle of wine and fresh flowers in your room upon arrival, two nights accommodation
in a Queen Guest Room, two full breakfasts for two and two tickets to Butchart
Gardens. Christmas light displays at Butchart Gardens begin December 1. Price
for the Butchart Gardens package is $279 CDN for two people. See www.oakbayguesthouse.com
for additional package information, including a Titanic Exhibit package until
October 15.
Experience an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Oak Bay
Oak Bay is the place to be for Christmas with events and special Christmas activities
taking place throughout the season! Kicking off November 25 is the Seventh
Annual Oak Bay Christmas Festival. Thousands of lights adorn buildings,
trees and lampposts along Oak Bay Avenue and this year for the first time all
buildings will be dressed in LED lights. The lights come on Sunday, November
25 with family entertainment, giant games, a kids flower arranging workshop
and a fire show from 3:00 to 6pm. Musical entertainment includes Daniel Lapp,
the Joy of Life Choir and the BC Fiddle Orchestra. Lights come on at 3 p.m.
until the first week of January.
On Saturday, December 1, 80 brightly lit up trucks will roll through Oak Bay
Village between 6 and 7 PM for the annual Parade of Lighted Trucks.
This colourful display is a favourite Christmas event in Victoria and the atmosphere
is decidedly festive! Musical entertainment is held on the front lawn of the
Municipal Hall on Oak Bay Avenue. Enjoy festive treats including roasted chestnuts.
Don’t miss the annual Art on the Avenue Gallery Walk
and Ottavio Tasting Evening on December 6. Seven galleries
and jewellery stores, along with many other merchants, are open late to show
seasonal exhibits and sample seasonal treats along four blocks of Oak Bay Avenue.
Festive music is performed for streetside strollers. The same evening Ottavio
Italian Bakery and Delicatessen opens the doors for the annual Christmas open
house, featuring seasonal tastes, roasted chestnuts on the Avenue, hot apple
cider and festive music.
If your interests are more nautical, head to Willows Beach on December 7 at
7:30 PM for the Sea of Lights Parade of Lighted Boats. Enjoy
hot chocolate and cookies while both sail and powerboats strut their decorated
stuff.
Get in the Spirit . . .
Experience traditional Christmas dinner at The Blethering Place,
which is also open Christmas Day for tea, lunch and dinner. On New Years Eve
enjoy dinner and entertainment featuring favourite local performer Johnny Vallis,
singer and impersonator. Audience participation is encouraged! Dinner is from
8PM. And in the spirit of the season The Blethering Place is hosting two evenings
of A Christmas Carol, on December 13 and December 20. A Christmas
Carols is a professional theatrical performance based on Dickens’ original
script from his 1867 North American reading tour. Dinner is served from 6 p.m.
and the performance begins at 7 p.m. See www.thebletheringplace.com.
Oak Bay for Brunch
If you are looking for the best in the city, come to Oak Bay for Sunday brunch.
Oak Bay’s Marina Restaurant recently won a Best in the City Award for
best Sunday brunch. Chef Jeff Keenliside is committed to using local ingredients
to create seasonal menus that reflect the unique flavours of Vancouver Island.
See www.marinarestaurant.com
for more information.
For more information on these and other Oak Bay story ideas, contact Heather
Leary at hleary@shaw.ca or 250-385-2285. Or visit www.oakbaytourism.com.
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