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The air is starting to get cooler, the days shorter and leaves are beginning to turn. The final days of August are winding down, ready to usher in the autumn and all the beauty that season holds. However, we’re not finished with our sun-drenched days quite yet and there’s still a lot of summer to pack in before Labour Day. Here’s a brief round-up of activities to keep you (or your family) smiling until the first school bell rings.

Rumble on the Runway

August 28-29, 2010 – Port McNeill Airport – Drag racing enthusiasts won’t want to miss the North Island Timing Association’s premiere summer event that promises to provide a million thrills a minute. Time trials will be held on Saturday with the elimination round on Sunday. [website]

Big River… Almost Johnny Cash

September 5, 2010 – Spirit Square, Campbell River – This tribute to the Man in Black will rock the afternoon from noon until 2:00 p.m. at the Spirit Square at Tyee Plaza; admission is free for the whole family. [website]

Alpine Food Festival

September 3-5, 2010 – Mount Washington Alpine Resort – Challenge your culinary skill set with cooking classes, wine pairings, a gala dinner, “foodie” marketplace and special appearance from Anthony Sedlak of the Food Network. [website]

Comox Valley Exhibition

August 27-29, 2010 – Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds – Featuring crafters, artisans, zucchini races, chainsaw carving, lumberjack show and so much more! [website]

10th Annual Tofino Lantern Festival

August 29, 2010 – Tofino Botanical Gardens – This unique event is a fantasy land full of handcrafted lanterns gracing Tofino’s famed botanical jewel. Lantern-making workshops are being held August 24-28, 2010 with the grande finale on Sunday night. The event is car-free, so please walk or bicycle to the gardens. All proceeds will benefit the Raincoast Education Society. [website]

Lighthouse Country Fall Fair

September 4, 2010 – Qualicum Bay – Welcome a new season and celebrate the vibrant oceanside communities of Parksville, Qualicum and beyond with this event designed to entertain and educate. The fair features a bouncy castle, kids’ games, “freaky” vegetables, dancers, musicians and so much more. This year’s theme will highlight local farms and produce with its “Heritage Breeds and Seeds” theme. Admission is $5 for adults; children 12 and under are free. [website]

The Little Woodstock West Street Festival

September 3-4, 2010 – Nanaimo – Maffeo Sutton Park welcomes the community’s most notable and talented buskers in this whimsically delightful celebration of music and entertainment. Admission is free but please bring a donation for the Loaves and Fishes Food Bank. [website]

Ladysmith Arts On The Avenue

August 29, 2010 – First Avenue, Ladysmith – The stretch of First Avenue between Roberts Street and White Street is home to everything from pottery and jewelry to handmade food and entertainment. The fun gets underway at 10 a.m. and winds down by 4 p.m. [website]

Cobble Hill Fair

August 27-29, 2010 – Cobble Hill Fairgrounds – Celebrating 101 years, the fair includes a pancake breakfast, parade, kids’ games and even a Johnny Cash tribute band! [website]

Victoria Fringe Theatre Festival

August 26 – September 5, 2010 – Various locations in Victoria – More than 65 highly talented performing companies from around the globe will each be performing a handful of shows throughout the capital region – some of which are free! Attendees over the age of 13 must purchase a Visa button to access any and all shows. [website]

If you have an event you’d like featured here, send me an e-mail or feel free to leave a comment below!

There’s a party spreading across North America and it’s gearing up to hit Vancouver this September. The Emmy-nominated, chart-topping Yo Gabba Gabba has taken its hit show from the screen to the stage as DJ Lance Rock, Muno, Foofa, Brobee, Toodee and Plex are making 60 stops from coast to coast. They’ll be visiting the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on September 11 and 12, 2010.

Yo Gabba Gabba has rapidly gained popularity with kids, adults and big kids alike with its retro throwbacks, fresh jams and inviting entertainment. A dance floor full of celebrity guests have been a part of Yo Gabba Gabba at one time or another, including Jack Black, Andy Samberg, Tony Hawk and The Roots.

Partnering with Child Find and proudly sponsored by Kia Motors, Yo Gabba Gabba Live: There’s A Party In My City! promises to be a fun-filled, family-friendly show with music, singing, dancing, animation – and even a few special guests. Biz Markie (best known for his appearances on a slew of Beastie Boys’ records) will be on hand to help you all with your beat boxing skills in an entirely interactive experience.

I’ve got tickets to give away to the September 12th show at 1:00 p.m. There will be two contest winners; each winner will receive two tickets. There are three ways to enter – complete all three and you’ve got three chances to win!

1. Leave a comment below and tell me who you’d bring to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live! (1 entry)

2. Post a link to this contest on your Facebook page and then leave a comment here telling me you’ve done so. (1 entry)

3. Tweet the following on Twitter (1 entry):

I want tickets to see Yo Gabba Gabba Live! in Vancouver thanks to @keiraanne http://bit.ly/cMgosz #YGGLIV

Good luck! The contest closes at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, September 3 with the winners to be announced shortly thereafter.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live! There’s A Party In My City will be donating $1 from all ticket sales to Child Find in the Greater Vancouver area. To purchase tickets, please visit Ticketmaster.

If there’s one thing that would make Etsy better it would be the ability to see, smell, feel and admire all the fine finds in person. That’s precisely the beauty in the annual Filberg Festival at Filberg Lodge and Park in Comox, British Columbia.

Opening its gates every BC Day long weekend, this year’s event was flooded with lots of sunshine and warmth. I spent a day wandering the flora and fauna with my mom, admiring everything from handmade soaps and organic cotton skirts to one-of-a-kind paintings and covet-worthy collections of pottery.

One particular vendor that caught my eye at this year’s event was Gord Langston. This Sidney-based sculptor works with almost anything he can get his hands on – particularly scrap metals.

His recycled metal art boasts cow bells made from fire extinguishers, garden decor crafted from once-loved eating utensils and drawer pulls shaped from junkyard scraps. The showstopper of his collection was undoubtedly this reflective eagle, cast in deep tones with exquisite detail.

The incredible crafts on hand aren’t the only thing awe-inspiring. Filberg Park is situated directly on the water, enhanced by spectacular views of Vancouver Island’s mountain range and the Comox Glacier.

It’s impossible not to indulge yourself in one or three things, but with my bank account still recovering from New York City, I showed some restraint. I’ve long marveled at Sarah Jane’s StixNStones, envying girls who can toss their hair up with a Bic pen in the flick of a wrist. My hair’s incredibly slippery, so I was convinced that the hair sticks weren’t for me. With just 30 seconds of instruction, Sarah Jane showed me how to twist and roll like the best of ‘em and I’m now inseparable with my hair stick. I only wish I’d bought a few.

(The website is currently being built, but you can still click over there for photos of her creations. Send a quick e-mail if you want to order a few of your own – something I’d highly suggest, ladies.)

A large roster of talented musicians was also on hand to keep everyone entertained, but we unfortunately didn’t have the time to check out any of the listed acts. However, sipping cherry lemonade is the perfect excuse to make a quick stop and smell the flowers.

Each year the Filberg Festival shines the spotlight on a guest artist. This year Canadian artist MONK shared her stunning West Coast paintings with the crowd, pieces that dance in dreamy watercolours.

2010 marked the first year that a guest artist encouraged attendees to create art of their own. The lush greens of Cathedral Grove were open for embellishment in a collaborative tribute to fallen Olympic athlete, Nodar Kumaritashvili of Georgia. Budding artists could add a personal touch to the painting which will be presented as a gift to the people of Nodar’s home country.

For more information on the annual Filberg Festival, and to stay in the loop for tickets prior to next year’s extravaganza, visit the Filberg Festival’s official website.

For 363 days each year, the Village of Cumberland is one of Vancouver Island’s sleepiest towns, its streets dotted with heritage homes, a handful of locally-run shops and a towering brick post office. The other two days of the year, it’s a totally different story…

The Big Time Out has quickly become one of BC’s biggest music festivals that packs a lot of star punch. This year the music festival is returning to its two-day roots, covering the weekend of August 14 and 15, 2010. “We’ve worked hard to create a really special place for artists and music lovers,” enthuses Vig Schulman, the show’s producer. “The word has gotten out among artists, agents and the whole music community that Cumberland is a great place to play, even worth making a big detour from a busy world tour.“

Canada’s beloved indie superheroes Broken Social Scene are headlining this year’s show, bringing their world-class sound to Cumberland on their only Canadian stop this summer before hitting the U.S. tour circuit. Adding some heavyweight star power is Somali-Canadian hip hop artist K’naan, fresh off a World Cup high where his song “Waving Flag” was FIFA’s anthem for the event. Other acts confirmed for The Big Time Out include Winter Gloves, Hannah Georgas, Ohbjou, The Acorn and a ton more!

The Big Time Out will be rockin’ the party at Cumberland Village Park – it’s on one of the Comox Valley’s transit routes, so considering leaving your car at home. Kids 12 and under are free; tickets for us big kids are a steal at $62.50 for each of Saturday and Sunday (or $107.20 for a weekend pass). Tickets can be purchased in a snap online and at various retailers across Vancouver Island. Check the website for more information.

How many times have you walked into a wine shop or liquor store, intent on purchasing a tantalizing bottle of wine, only to find yourself perplexed or overwhelmed? With so many varietals, vineyards and exotic production locales around the globe, knowing where to start and what to choose can often be a daunting endeavour.

For the twelfth year in a row, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort is hoping to put an end to your confusion with the Alpine Wine Festival on Friday, August 6. Held in the Raven Lodge and boasting breathtaking panoramic views of Vancouver Island’s mountainous spine, the festival welcomes vineyards from across the Island, the country and even from overseas. Festival attendees each receive a commemorative wine glass and are encouraged to sip and sample everything their heart desires.

Accompanied by tasty food samplings, the festival will keep swinging with live entertainment courtesy of acclaimed jazz pianist and composer, Karel Roessingh. You’ll also have the opportunity to support the Vancouver Island Mountain Sport Society with a silent auction featuring some truly fabulous items up for grabs.

Confirmed wineries include:

• Coastal Black Estate Winery
• Muse Winery
• Averill Creek Winery
• Blue Moon Estate Winery
• Carbrea Vineyards
• Hillside Estate Winery
• Desert Hills Estate Winery
• Fosters Wine Estates (featuring Wolf Blass and Beringer Stone Cellars)
• PMA Wines and Spirits (featuring Two Oceans and Flat Roof Manor)
• Merridale Cider
• Sea Cider Farm and Cider House

Tickets for the event can be purchased online for $30 and attendees must be legal drinking age (19+). A courtesy shuttle is available for those attending. For more information on this and the wine pairing dinner the following night, please visit Mt. Washington Alpine Resort’s website. I hope to see you all there!

I’m not normally one for summer vacations. That’s not to say I don’t take time away from work when the sun is shining and the beach calls my name. However, there’s no better place to be during the summertime than British Columbia and, in particular, on Vancouver Island. So why leave?

In only one week I’ll be throwing summer dresses, sandals and bikinis in my suitcase, packing a bag for Jordy (that kid doesn’t travel light) and head to Vancouver Island for nine days. The best part of the plan is that I have no plans. Spending endless hours on the Island’s beaches, noshing on homegrown food from Coombs, taking afternoon naps in the shade in my mom’s backyard, ice cold beer, evening badminton, BBQ dinners every single day and catching up with some of my oldest friends are all on the must-do list.

There’s never a shortage of events happening in and around the Comox Valley over the upcoming BC Day Long Wekeend, some of which I spend all year looking forward to. Next weekend marks the start of the 52nd Annual Nautical Days celebration in the seaside town of Comox, featuring a family-friendly parade, Dragon Boat races, fireworks and the always-popular Build, Bail and Sail race [website].

Photo: tempest_kat on Flickr

Photo: Amelia Burrows

Also that weekend is the Filberg Festival, entering its 28th year from July 30 until August 2 [website]. Highly skilled potters, painters, musicians, “foodies”, weavers, textile and clothing designers, jewelers and more from around North America converge in the middle of breathtaking Filberg Park to display their wares. It’s a must for me every year, even if only for the best lemonade ever.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite summer snaps from around the Island and the Comox Valley over the summer months. What are you looking forward to before the leaves start to turn orange, red and yellow? Feel free to share your summertime musts in the comments below!

UPDATED: Congratulations to Jillian Mayne! Jillian is the winner of two tickets to The Big Day Up.

With only ten days to go until The Big Day Up, Mount Washington Alpine Resort is gearing up for the biggest party their slopes have ever seen. Saturday, July 17 is bound to be a toasty day under the sun, jam-packed with unbelievable musical talent from across Canada and even one epic band from Down Under.

This inaugural outdoor fiesta of sound is brought to you by Cumberland Village Works, the same brilliant group of people responsible for The Big Time Out and a whole slew of incredible musicians and artists that have passed through the Comox Valley in recent years.

Headlining this show is none other than The Cat Empire, a sensational tour de force from Australia that have amassed an admirable following. Having treated audiences around the globe to their infectious grooves, this multi-member outfit shows no signs of slowing down, driven by a ferocity rarely seen in today’s talent. While it’s next to impossible to definitively describe The Cat Empire’s musical stylings in a word or two, those at The Big Day Up can expect everything from funk, ska, reggae and even a bit of vaudeville.

Also sharing the stage at The Big Day Up are Daniel Wesley, Nine Mile, Sweatshop Union and Aaron Nazrul and the Boom Booms. Multi-Coloured Mischeif, The Naked DJs and Nova Firespun Performing Arts will be on hand to keep the party pumping well into the wee hours, followed by an after party in Mount Washington’s legendary lodge.

Tickets are available for just $62.50 (+ HST) and can be purchased online and at the following locations:

Comox Valley – Bop City Records, Tarbell, Sound Advice, The Waverley
Campbell River – The Music Plant
Nanaimo – Lucid
Tofino – Common Loaf
Port Alberni – Sound Advice
Victoria – Lyle’s Place
Vancouver – Highlife Music

Mount Washington is offering up both camping and RV sites (for this event only) and luxe accommodation in slopeside condos for those wishing to make a night of it. For more information on the event, including how to get there, check out The Big Day Up’s official website.

Ticket Giveaway: The fine folks at Cumberland Village Works are offering up a pair of tickets to The Big Day Up to one lucky reader and winning couldn’t be easier! Simply leave a comment below telling me which artist on the bill you’d be most excited to see or Tweet the following:

I want to party at The Big Day Up thanks to @thevillageworks and @keiraanne! http://bit.ly/daASL6 #TBDU2010

A comment and a Tweet will count for two entries. The contest closes at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14, at which time I’ll draw one winner at random to receive the two tickets. The winner must be able to attend the event at Mount Washington in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Tickets hold no cash value and are non-transferable. Tickets are valid only for admission and do not include transportation, accommodation, travel expenses, food or beverages.

You wouldn’t know it by looking out the window, but July is right around the corner and Canada Day is notoriously hot and sunny across British Columbia. Being the optimist that I am, I’m packing my swimsuit, sunblock and summer dresses and heading to Vancouver Island on Wednesday after work for a bit of solitude.

Photo: Ian Muttoo on Flickr

Many of you will be extending Canada Day into an extra long weekend, so here’s a quick round-up of events across Vancouver Island to help you celebrate Canada’s 143rd birthday.

Port Hardy

Join the day-long party at Storey’s Beach, kicking off with a parade at 11:00 a.m. and finishing with explosive fireworks. Crafts, games and a Duck Race from the Rotary Club will keep you busy during the afternoon. [event info]

Port McNeill

A pancake breakfast, fishing derby for the kids at Port McNeill Harbour and a special airshow at the Port McNeill airport are just some of the family-friendly activities being offered. The events kick off around 8:00 a.m. and runs all afternoon. [event info]

Campbell River

Campbell River promises to be the Canada Day party destination for the North Island, starting with live music the night before at Ostler Park. Canada Day itself is packed full with a children’s festival, even more live music, a parade and the Salmon Festival before a fireworks display brought to you by Quality Foods. Also, get around to the events with free bus rides on public transit between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.! [event info]

Mount Washington Alpine Resort

The Island’s only alpine destination celebrates Canada Day with the Thrifty Foods Family Fun Day, running from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. A kids’ relay race, cookie decorating contest, bouncy castle and even birthday cake are part of the celebration. Don’t forget to take a mile-high chair ride while you’re up there! [event info]

Comox Valley

Canada Day is always an action-packed day in the Comox Valley! The 5th Street parade in downtown Courtenay, Ducky 500 race, car displays and BBQing at Lewis Park, dancing, concerts and so much more will ensure non-stop fun. This is most definitely where I’ll be spending my Canada Day. [event info]

Port Alberni

A long-standing tradition is returning to Port Alberni once again this Canada Day, starting with a free pancake breakfast prior to the 10th Avenue parade. The fun’s not done then, as all-afternoon festivities keep rocking at Glenwood Centre. [event info]

Qualicum Beach/Parksville Oceanside Region

The Rotary Club of Parksville spearheads the festivities in the Island’s premier Oceanside region, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Starting the day with a Canada Day parade, this day of fun is highlighted with a concert from Canadian rock legends Trooper at Community Park in Parksville! The day-long celebration wraps up with fireworks brought to you by Thrifty Foods. [event info]

Photo: tempest_kat on Flickr [used with permission]

Tofino

Tofino comes alive on July 1 at Village Green, headlined by the Tuff City Skate Competition. The Tofino public market will also be in full swing, as well as interactive displays, live music, a beverage garden, face painting and birthday cake. The day wraps up with fireworks over Tofino’s harbour. [event info]

Ucluelet

Uclulet hasn’t been left out of the party as they play host to the Colour Guard parade, as well as children’s crafts and activities, a family BBQ and live music. [event info]

Nanaimo

Canadian pride is strong in Nanaimo with an action-packed afternoon at Maffeo Sutton Park. Live entertainment, a flag parade and multicultural food are just a few of the festivities worth checking out. [event info]

Ladysmith

Transfer Beach in Ladysmith is the place to be to partake in a little fun in the sun. This family-friendly event is a free-for-all with events getting underway at 10:00 a.m. [event info]

Cowichan Valley

Canada Day celebrations are largely centered around cultural celebrations in the Cowichan Valley at festivities in and around Cowichan Lake. Story-telling, dancing, face-painting, multicultural music, arts & crafts, foods and a fireworks display are just a few things to look forward to. [event info]

Duncan

There’s no better place to be in Duncan than the BC Forest Museum. When you’re not riding the the steam train for free, nosh on hot dogs, jump in the bouncy castle or take in a little live entertainment. [event info]

Sidney

There’s no place more quaint to celebrate Canada’s birthday than than by the sea in Sidney. The day begins with a pancake breakfast and gets into full swing with a parade on Beacon Avenue, a family fun fair and street market before winding down the day with fireworks on the Sidney Waterfront. [event info]

Sooke

Sooke plays host to a very unique Canada Day celebration, bursting with tradition. Between logging sports competition, canine agility demos, a pie-eating contest and live music prior to the fireworks, there’s bound to be something to grab your interest! [event info]

Victoria

Our Province’s capital is no doubt home to the largest Canada Day celebration on Vancouver Island. Starting at 10:00 a.m., downtown Victoria comes alive with an open house of the coastal defence vessel HMCS Nanaimo at Ship Point in the Inner Harbour, jazz music, free historic walking tours, chalk drawing for the kids, a live ballet show and a vibrant fireworks display after dusk. [event info]

If there’s a Canada Day event happening in your Island community that isn’t listed here, feel free to leave information in the comments. For a complete listing of celebrations across the Lower Mainland, click over to Miss604.

Enjoy your Canada Day, have fun, celebrate and practice safe sun! To my American friends and readers, I wish you a fantastic Independence Day on Sunday! In the immortal words of Wang Chi and Jack Burton, “here’s to America’s colors, the colors that never run. May the wings of liberty never lose a feather.”

There are few charity organizations that speak to my heart as much as the BC-SPCA. They are tirelessly dedicated to providing loving care to British Columbia’s abandoned, hurt and loneliest animals. Each year the Paws For A Cause campaign seeks to raise funds Province-wide to support their annual goal of $1 million dollars. Without you and me, they couldn’t do what they do.

Aside from simply providing health care, shelter space and fostering animal adoption, the BC-SPCA is also exhaustively involved in investigating and gathering evidence to assist Crown Counsel in prosecuting some of BC’s nastiest animal abusers. Most investigations require a minimum of $10,000 – no cheap feat!

On Sunday, September 12, 2010, Jordy, Charley and me will be joining other animal lovers in the Comox Valley (and across BC) in a Walk to raise funds for this entirely worthwhile cause. It’s my personal goal to raise $2,000. Please consider donating… any amount is worth something to an animal in need. Even the $5 you’d normally spend on your morning latte will feed a litter of newborn puppies that day instead.

Many, many thanks and much love in advance. xo

If you’d like to donate to my personal campaign and help contribute to my $2,000 goal, please visit my personal fundraising page. Donations can be made anonymously and contributions of $20 or more are tax deductible. Stay in the loop by following Paws For A Cause on Twitter or liking the event on Facebook.

One of my best camping memories from childhood involved wandering the beach at Whaling Station Bay on Hornby Island, collecting oysters and bringing them back to the campsite. My family and I would cook them over the campfire and smother the succulence from the sea in garlic butter. For the fourth year in a row the Comox Valley Shellfish Festival is gearing up to celebrate our abundant ocean with a unique event.

Photo: wallyg on Flickr

The festivities start simmering on Saturday, June 19th with a gala soiree on the shoreline of Baynes Sound as diners’ palates will be tempted and teased with a nine-course shellfish feast. Prepared by some of the Comox Valley’s top chefs – as well as Rick Bowman of Monk McQueen’s Restaurant & Patio and Scott Practico of Joe Fortes Seafood & Chop House fame, both from Vancouver – attendees will wine and dine their way through some of the coast’s best offerings.

Accompanied by exclusively-provided wines from Beaufort Vineyard & Estate Winery (a personal favourite of mine), this evening promises to be a foodie’s delight. Only 200 tickets are available and can be purchased for $120 each with all proceeds going to the Y.A.N.A. organization, helping local children get the medical treatment they need.

Sunday, June 20th is a day for everyone at Comox Marina Park with a number of sampling booths, desserts, a beer garden, live music and an oyster shucking competition under the sun. Activities start at 11 a.m. and run until 5 p.m.

For more information on the event, and to find out how you can purchase tickets for the gala dinner, please visit the Comox Valley Shellfish Festival’s official website.