There will be even more to discover when the second annual Talk to an Expert Day and Sidewalk Sale hits Oak Bay.
This Saturday’s event has expanded to include more hands-on activities to introduce people to some of the experts in their community.
“Talk to an Expert Day is like a Village-wide trade show for your life. It’s an opportunity to showcase the local knowledge and remind people of the benefits of shopping local and the connections that can be made in your community,” said Elizabeth Smith, president of the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association. “We invite the community to come out and try new things, enjoy seeing friends and neighbours and discover more about the variety of people and businesses in Oak Bay Village.”
Experts from the Victoria Shakespeare Society will be strolling the Avenue while Oak Bay’s magician in residence Paul Kilshaw will be demonstrating some beginner magic tricks. There will be music from Los Gringos Locos while the Kiwanis will have their popular hot dog barbecue and Canada Kettle Corn will be making fresh kettle corn all day.
Oak Bay Heritage and Discover the Past will partner for the day to showcase the area’s heritage. From their booth in front of Athlone Court, heritage experts will discuss heritage registration and designation, Heritage Foundation grants, heritage and real estate values as well as share anecdotes about the history of Oak Bay Village.
John Adams from Discover the Past will conduct free 30-minute historical tours in the Village, departing from the Heritage booth at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. More detailed walks will depart at 2 p.m. and again on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. These walks are 90 minutes and cost $15 for adults and $13 for students. Find out about streetcars and early land developers, heritage architects and their houses, schools, churches, the first municipal hall, the origins of street names and more.
Gage Gallery is holding a series of instructional demonstrations in front of their Oak Bay Avenue gallery. Artists of all skill levels are invited to paint along with the demonstrators and all ages are welcome.
The front lawn of Oak Bay’s municipal hall will be bustling with activity throughout the day.
Ajna Yoga is offering free outdoor beginner yoga classes in front of the municipal hall at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Participants are asked to arrive 15 minutes before class begins.
Pedego Victoria is setting up a mobile test drive station where interested cyclists can test drive the newest electric assist bicycles and enter to win a Bern helmet.
Along Hampshire Avenue, safety experts with the Oak Bay Fire Department will answer questions about carbon monoxide detection in the home and show how a variety of CO2 detectors and smoke detectors work.
Side Street Studio is holding an up-cycling day, showcasing three local artists who are experts in creating beautiful new items from old.
And there will be plenty more areas where visitors can get expert advice at various locations throughout the day.
See www.visitoakbayvillage.ca for a complete schedule of events.