The businesses of Oak Bay Village are presenting An Oak Bay Soiree on Oct. 21.
Held to support the work of the Canadian Cancer Society, this fundraising event offers something slightly different. Attendees will have an opportunity to bid on uniquely Oak Bay experiences that cannot be purchased.
A stand up mix and mingle event, An Oak Bay Soiree features several appetizer stations with an autumn theme that emphasizes in-season produce such as Tofino shrimp, kale, lhalibut and the season’s first chanterelle mushrooms. Award-winning Penny Farthing chef Jeff Keenliside will host a fresh oyster station.
“We wanted to create an elegant event that is also casual and an opportunity for friends and neighbours to come together in support of this important cause,” said Elizabeth Smith, owner of Athlone Travel and one of the event organizers.
“We thought one way to celebrate our community would be to offer experiences that celebrate our community.”
The evening boasts a unique slate of live and silent auction prizes. In addition to prizes from Oak Bay Village businesses, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on the opportunity to plug in the lights at the 2012 Oak Bay Light Up and turn on all the Christmas lights for the 2012 Christmas Festival.
There are also two covered, reserved parking spaces available underneath Athlone Court for November and December and an opportunity to have your face immortalized in a pumpkin carved by John Vickers.
Attendees can also bid to be the challenger in the Mayor’s Challenge Floating Teacup Race at the 2013 annual Oak Bay Tea Party, where the challenger will have the opportunity to compete against Mayor Nils Jensen. The Oak Bay Tea Party is held annually on the first Saturday and Sunday in June.
Oak Bay Tea Party Chairman Bill Murphy-Dyson will be the evening’s auctioneer.
An Oak Bay Soiree will be held at the Penny Farthing Pub from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $50 and are available at the Penny Farthing Pub, 2228 Oak Bay Ave., Side Street Studio, 2250 Oak Bay Ave. and Athlone Travel, 2187 Oak Bay Ave.
A list of auction items is posted on the events page at visitoakbayvillage.ca. The businesses of Oak Bay Village support the work of the Canadian Cancer Society with initiatives throughout the year including a hot dog barbecue at the summer markets and the Pumpkin Art on the Avenue Halloween event.