Oak Bay village businesses and the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association look forward to welcoming everyone to the village in 2017. We are planning a number of community events to create gathering spaces where friends and neighbours can socialize, shop and enjoy Oak Bay Village amenities.
The season begins with the Oak Bay Easter celebration on Saturday, April 15 behind the Oak Bay municipal hall. Easter egg hunts, photos with the Easter Bunny, face painting, and meeting with friends and neighbours are all part of the fun.
This summer the Oak Bay Village Night Markets run from 4 to 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of June, July, August and September. The markets feature a large variety of fresh produce, local products, beer, wine and spirits and street food. Each market also features live music by local musicians and magic by Oak Bay Village’s Magician in Residence.
In October our spooky season starts. Halloween pumpkins are hung on all of the lampposts along Oak Bay Avenue. Pumpkin Art on the Avenue runs Oct. 27 to 31 behind the Oak Bay municipal hall. Nearly 500 pumpkins are on display featuring themes from television shows, local celebrities, the Royal family and more. Each year 30 new designs are added. Make sure to check out our Oak Bay Village display including Oak Bay council. Admission is by donation to support local causes.
Oak Bay merchants also compete each year in the Merchant Pumpkin Carving Contest. Pumpkins are displayed in the windows of Oak Bay Village shops and the public is invited to walk through the Village and pick a favourite.
The festival concludes with Trick or Treat on the Avenue. The Avenue is closed to make room for the ghosts, goblins, and their families as they trick or treat at shops throughout the Village. Entertainment features a carnival-like atmosphere with stilt walkers, hula hoopers, music and more. After trick or treat enjoy the Halloween bonfire, costume parade, treats and Kiwanis hot dog barbecue at Fireman’s Park.
On the last Sunday of November, Oak Bay village hosts the Oak Bay Light Up, Nov. 26, 2017. The trees, buildings and lampposts will be lit up with thousands of Christmas lights. The event kicks off with family activities including Christmas crafts, street games, magic and more. An outstanding selection of well-known musicians perform seasonal and popular music. Attendees also enjoy trucks from Lighted Truck Convoy, food trucks and Canada Post’s Santa letter collection. Santa arrives on an Oak Bay fire truck to share Christmas greetings and stay for photos.
On the first Saturday in December, the Lighted Truck Convoy rolls through Oak Bay village. Eighty brightly decorated trucks parade down Oak Bay Avenue while volunteers collect food and cash donations for local food banks. Each year Oak Bay village proudly gives back to the community at this event.
We look forward to seeing everyone to Oak Bay village in 2017.
– Elizabeth Smith is president of the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association