Little Local - September 3

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This weekend marks the unofficial end of summer here in Victoria. Our big kids are back to school next week, our littlest started daycare, and yes, I still need to get school supplies.

Thank you to everyone who filled out the survey last week. It was reassuring to see that we’re on the right track here with Little Local, sharing events, activities and local ideas that make family life around Victoria a little easier (and more fun).

One thing I’ve been thinking about lately is whether Little Local should occasionally exist offline, too. Would you be interested in casual Little Local meetups or events where local families could actually get together? I’m curious what that might look like, so there’s a quick poll below. 👇

Passport Winners

Before we get to the winners of our draw, a big THANK YOU to all of the incredible local businesses and organizations who helped make this year’s Summer Adventure Passport happen. I truly couldn’t have pulled it off without their support.

Take a look at all of the local businesses who joined us this summer, and please support them when you can.

And now…

The winners of the 2026 Summer Adventure Passport are:

🍦 Parachute Ice Cream Party:
Addy Karasek-Wall

🌷 Part & Parcel gift certificate + Butchart Gardens gift basket:
Anwen Caines

🌲 Ferris’s gift certificate + Malahat SkyWalk passes:
Jade, Ofek and Emilia

Winners can REPLY to this email to coordinate prize collection :)

A huge thank you as well to every family who took part, explored somewhere new, supported local businesses, and brought the Passport along on your summer adventures. I hope it added a little extra fun to your summer!

A few things worth putting on your radar

🎒 Preloved wardrobe refresh: Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to mean buying everything brand new. A few local spots carry some great gently used and new-to-you kids’ clothes, including A-Z Consignment, Abby Sprouts, Once Upon a Child and Thistle & Wren.

🍎 Welland Orchard: Tucked away in View Royal, Welland is home to nearly 200 heritage fruit and nut trees. Bring a picnic, wander the shady paths, or hop off the Galloping Goose for a little September detour. They let you snack on ripe fruit when you’re there – just follow their coloured flagging tape system (look for the colour on our garden shed).

🍂 Little Local Crew Mail: A little fall surprise, delivered right to their mailbox. Each Crew envelope includes screen-free activities, local nature notes, stickers and fun surprises designed to get kids noticing the season around them, including a tasty local treat from Rhino Coffee House 👀. Fall Crew Mail is only available for a limited time, so order yours now for mid-September delivery!

⛷️ SnowStart Kidz Pass: I know, I know, it’s only September, but I just got word from a friend about this one. If your kiddo is new to skiing or snowboarding, you can grab 3 visits at each participating ski area for just $39 through the SnowStart Kidz Pass. Might be worth grabbing now before you (and I) forget about it once winter actually rolls around.

🎉 Thistle & Wren turns 10: One of our favourite local shops is marking an exciting milestone, and they’re inviting you to join the celebration! Thistle & Wren is turning 10 with an in-store anniversary party on September 19, featuring a sale, door prizes, giveaways, and a gift with purchase. The celebration continues online on September 20. Save the date for this one!

🍎 South Island FarmHub: Your go-to for ordering local food has lots of easy lunchbox and snack options right now, including apples, pears, plums (our fave!), freeze-dried fruit, snacking cucumbers, and bell peppers. And if you’re still looking for a little back-to-school teacher gift, you can add a local flower bouquet or artisan chocolates too. Order Thursdays (from 2pm) and before Sunday at midnight to get the farmers market delivered right to your door.

This Weekend

⛵ Victoria Classic Boat Festival
Friday, September 4–Sunday, September 6 | 9am–8pm
Wander the Inner Harbour docks and check out 80+ beautiful heritage boats, many open for exploring, plus live music and maritime fun throughout the weekend. [Info]

🎬 Outdoor Movie Night at Starlight Stadium
Friday, September 4 | 5:30pm
Kick off the long weekend with an outdoor movie (GOAT) at Starlight Stadium in support of the South Island Primary Care Society. Gates open at 5:30pm. By donation. [Info]

🎻 Strings Open House
Saturday, September 5 | 11am–12:30pm
Curious about violin, cello, guitar or harp? Families can meet instructors, hear student performances and even try out instruments at this free Victoria Conservatory of Music open house. [Info]

🛹 Topaz Thrash III
Saturday, September 5 – Sunday, September 6 | 10am–6pm
Two days of skateboarding at Topaz Skatepark, with pros, competitions, U13 street and bowl jams, and beginner Learn to Skate sessions (Saturday from 10am-12pm). Free to come watch! [Info]

🥁 Super Hero Percussion: All the Hits!
Saturday, September 5 | 8–9pm + Sunday, September 6 | 1:30–2:30pm
This family-friendly Victoria Fringe show mixes marimba, percussion, familiar songs and lots of audience participation for a fun introduction to live music. [Info]

⛳ Youth Golf Clinics
Sunday, September 6 | 10am, 12pm + 2pm
Kids ages 6–12 can get 90 minutes of professional instruction from UVic Vikes golf tea, alumni, and PGA tour golfers at Uplands Golf Club, plus snacks and swag. [Info]

Upcoming

🍖 Esquimalt Ribfest
September 11–13
Ribs, food trucks, live music and a kids zone at Bullen Park with activities and a bouncy castle. [Info]

🎨 Lagoon Arts & Culture Festival
September 11–12
A family-friendly celebration at Goldfinch Arts Centre of local arts with live performances, interactive activities, vendors, food trucks and more. [Info]

🏮 Autumn Lantern Festival
September 12 | 5–8:30pm
Bring a lantern (or make one there!) for this free evening at Lambrick Park with glowing displays, cultural performances, activities and food trucks. [Info]

🌿 Grandparents’ Day at Abkhazi Garden
September 13 | 11am–4pm
Bring the grandparents for free admission to Abkhazi Garden, plus lawn games and a fall plant sale. [Info]

Markets This Week

Esquimalt Farmers Market
Thu, Sept 3 | 4:30–7:30pm • Memorial Park

Sidney Street Market
Thu, Sept 3 | 5:30–8:30pm • Beacon Avenue

Bastion Square Market
Thu–Sat, Sept 3–5 | 11am–6pm • Bastion Square

James Bay Market
Sat, Sept 5 | 9am–3pm • Menzies & Superior

Peninsula Country Market
Sat, Sept 5 | 9am–1pm • Saanich Fairgrounds

North Saanich Farm Market
Sat, Sept 5 | 9:30am–12pm • 10990 West Saanich Road

Moss Street Market
Sat, Sept 5 | 10am–2pm • Moss Street

Goldstream Farmers Market
Sat, Sept 5 | 10am–2pm • Veterans Memorial Park

PKOLS Farm & Artisan Market
Sun, Sept 6 | 10am–1pm • Lambrick Park

Gorge Farmers Market
Mon, Sept 7 | 4:30–7:30pm • Esquimalt Gorge Park

Writing these newsletters is one of my favorite parts of my week! It also takes me an embarrassing number of hours to put these together. If Little Local has become a regular part of your week, here are a few easy ways to support me:

💫 Share Little Local with anyone who may enjoy it!
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📌 Want to partner with us? Reply to this email and let’s chat!

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.