Little Local - June 4

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It’s Ocean Week here in Victoria, which feels like the perfect excuse to spend a little extra time near the water this weekend, or check out one of the many Ocean Week events happening around town.

On a recent trip to McKenzie Bight, we found a surprising sea creature that stopped us in our tracks and sent me down a little rabbit hole to learn more about this mysterious marine snail. I’m sharing that ocean find in this issue, along with lots of great Ocean Week and community events for the weekend.

Let’s dive in!

Meet the Moon Snail

I want to introduce you to one of the coolest creatures we’ve found recently while out at McKenzie Bight…the Moon Snail.

When the kids first spotted this enormous snail, I couldn’t believe the size of its foot. It looked almost too big for its shell.

Moon snails spend much of their time moving beneath the sand, hunting for clams and other shellfish. When a moon snail finds one, it uses its huge, soft foot to hold onto the shell, then slowly drills a nearly perfect round hole using a rough tongue-like tool called a radula, along with chemicals that help soften the shell. Those tiny round holes you sometimes find in empty clam shells? That may be the work of a moon snail.

While beachcombing, we also found what looked like strange rubbery rings in the sand. I honestly thought they were pieces of garbage, but we learned they were actually moon snail egg cases, called sand collars! Female moon snails make them by mixing sand and mucus into a flexible collar shape, with thousands of tiny eggs hidden inside.

Watch this short video and share with your kids!

McKenzie Bight is a beautiful place to celebrate Ocean Week with the kids. Take the trail down through the forest to a rocky beach on Saanich Inlet, where there’s plenty of little things to notice at low tide. Just remember to look gently, leave living creatures where they are, and treat those odd rubbery “rings” as part of the beach, not litter.

✏️ Note: This was a fairly big walk for little legs. I’d recommend taking the route clockwise, so you head down the steps on the way to the beach and return up the sloping path on the way back. Yes, candy made an appearance to help everyone make it back to the car!

Last Call!

Just a quick reminder that I’m starting to send out the Summer Edition of our Crew Mail this week.

This summer edition includes a letter from Alfie, stickers, activities, and a few more goodies to help kids notice the season and make summer days feel a bit more special.

There are only a few days left to order before I close summer mail until fall.

💡Science Venture: For kids who love to build, tinker, and create, Maker Camps are packed with hands-on projects, engineering challenges, creative problem-solving, and computer science fun. Camps are available for Grades 1–6. Little Local readers can use code LL50 for $50 off.

🍓 South Island FarmHub: Berry season has arrived, and the local strawberries are delicious! Skip the farmers market lineup and order fresh, local food online, then have it delivered right to your door. Online ordering for the week opens Thursdays at 2pm.

This Weekend

🌍 AfriCa Fest Victoria
Thursday, June 4 – Sunday, June 7
Celebrate African and Afro-descendant arts, culture, food, music, dance, and community at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour during this free four-day festival. [Info]

🎡 Oak Bay Tea Party
Friday, June 5–Sunday, June 7
A classic Oak Bay weekend at Willows Beach with amusement rides, pancake breakfast, floating teacup race, kids’ crafts, sandcastle building, and seaside fun. No parade this year! [Info]

⚾ HarbourCats Fireworks Night
Saturday, June 6 | 6:35pm
The Victoria HarbourCats take on the Kelowna Falcons at Royal Athletic Park for opening weekend, followed by fireworks. A fun one for baseball-loving kids or families looking for an evening outing. [Info]

⚾ MLB Play Ball Weekend Camp
Saturday, June 6 | 12–3pm
Kids ages 5–12 can join the Victoria HarbourCats at Royal Athletic Park for a free baseball camp with hitting, fielding, base running, and skill-building. Registration required. [Info]

🌊 Discover Coastal Wildlife
Saturday, June 6 | 10am–4pm
Stop by this free interactive Ocean Week exhibit in the Inner Harbour with Prince of Whales to learn about marine conservation and the wildlife of the Salish Sea. [Info]

🐦 Marine Birds of Island View Beach
Saturday, June 6 | 10am–12pm
Join a free, guided nature walk for ages 8+ at Island View Beach Regional Park and learn about the marine birds that live along the shoreline, including how to identify them and a few fun facts. [Info]

🎪 Entanglements: Ocean Circus Show
Saturday, June 6 & Saturday, June 7
This contemporary circus show at Island Circus Space is inspired by ocean science, exploring ocean deoxygenation and its effects on local marine ecosystems. Great for older kids and families who like something a little different. [Info]

🏺 Ancient Egypt: Obsessed with Life
Opens Friday, June 5
The Royal BC Museum’s new immersive exhibition explores ancient Egyptian rituals, beliefs, coffins, jewelry, grave goods, and the journey through death, rebirth, and the afterlife. [Info]

🎉 Westhills Summer Block Party
Saturday, June 6 | 11am–3pm
Kick off summer on Apex Close in Westhills with this free family-friendly block party featuring live music, food trucks, face painting, balloon art, yard games, and more. [Info]

🎶 Vic West Fest
Saturday, June 6 | 12–6pm
Banfield Park hosts this free, all-ages neighbourhood festival with live music, food vendors, artisan markets, community activities, and a kids zone. [Info]

🎉 Village Block Party
Sunday, June 7 | 10am–6pm
Cook Street Village turns into a big all-ages street party with live local music, more than 150 local artisans, food vendors, local businesses, and family-friendly activities. [Info]

🎺 GVCB Senior Band at Beacon Hill Park
Saturday, June 6 | 5–6:30pm
Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and a picnic to the Cameron Bandshell for a family-friendly concert filled with movie favourites, including Star Wars, The Pink Panther, Aladdin, My Neighbour Totoro, marches, and more. [Info]

🛍️ Summer Social Vintage Fair & Makers Market
Saturday, June 6 | 9am–4pm
Browse vintage finds, collectibles, toys, comics, trading cards, handmade goods, food and more at the Da Vinci Centre. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. [Info]

🎨 Printmaking in the Orchard
Sunday, June 7 | 1–3pm
Try nature-inspired printmaking at Welland Legacy Park & Community Orchard and create a tote bag to take home. Sliding scale pricing, with by-donation tickets available. Best for older kids and adults. [Info]

🚶 Kidney Walk Victoria
Sunday, June 7 | 10am registration, 11am start
Take part in a free community walk at Clover Point supporting kidney health, with a scenic seaside route and a gentle Sunday morning pace for families. [Info]

Upcoming

🌙 Oak Bay Night Market
Wednesday, June 10 | 4–8pm
Oak Bay Village turns into a summer evening market with local vendors, food, live music, family activities, and shops open late. [Info]

🚜 Woodside Farm Days
Saturday, June 13 | 10am–4pm
Woodside Farm kicks off its summer Farm Days with a full day of family-friendly fun on the farm. Visit the animals, wander the gardens, explore the apple orchard maze, and enjoy a little taste of summer in Sooke. [Info]

🌈 FERNHILL Funk! Concert+Block Party
Saturday, June 13 | 2–5pm
Get ready to dance at this outdoor block party featuring live music from Queer As Funk. This one is a benefit event for DDX3X Syndrome. [Info]

🛝 Quimper Park Playground Grand Re-opening
Tuesday, June 16 | 5–7pm
Celebrate the new playground at Quimper Park with a casual community gathering. A fun excuse to check out a fresh play space if you’re in the Oak Bay area. [Info]

🎶 Solstice & Song with Wild Child
Saturday, June 20 | 5-6:30pm
Gather at Memorial Park in Esquimalt for a magical summer evening of music, community and outdoor play. Bring a family picnic and support Wild Child’s free, accessible nature playgroup. [Info]

Hope you enjoyed this issue of Little Local! Please reply with any feedback and suggestions :)

P.S. Would you like to get your business in front of thousands of local Victoria families? Email us at [email protected].

Final Note: I do my best to keep everything accurate, but I am only human so the odd mistake might sneak in! If you catch one, feel free to let me know.