8 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Saanich

• Saanich’s Gorge Canada Day Picnic will be back for a 25th year 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., with Gorge Road shut down between Tillicum and Admirals roads to accommodate a wide range of attractions. The event has brought in crowds of over 10,000 in recent years.

 

The event will include live entertainment, a bike decorating contest, pancake breakfast, Family Parade, Canada Day Market and Show and Shine Car Show. Details and schedule at gorgecanadaday.ca/

 

https://www.timescol...island-10879131

 

 

 

[Bambam]

As expected this one was jammed. We got there about 9:45 and you knew it was going to easily equal likely surpass past crowds.

 

In typical Canadian style even with all the bodies and the heat - the Gorge party tends to be tough on those who don't like heat due to it taking place on top of all that Gorge Rd blacktop - everyone had a great time, and were very well behaved. Just lots of Canadians enjoying the weather, their country and probably for the most part given the chaos in other certain places, thrilled to be Canadian.

 

As with past years oraganizers issued a reminder online and enforced it in the form of security staff, for attendees not to park in the Canadian Tire parking lot just across the Craigflower bridge. On the other end though I guarantee some people parked in the Fairways lot at Tillicum and Gorge

[Mike K.]

You mean, everyone didn’t arrive on a bike?

[Bambam]

Can't speak for others but since we're just over the Tillicum bridge and 2.5 blocks we walk 

[mbjj]

I'm curious about the parking for that. That's why we've never gone. It was far easier for us to go to it when it was in Beacon Hill. My daughter took her little toddler over by bus, which is a pain in the behind. When it was time to leave they were running for the bus and even though she's pretty sure the driver saw her, he pulled away so she had to wait another 40 minutes or something. 

[LJ]

Can't speak for others but since we're just over the Tillicum bridge and 2.5 blocks we walk 

Next year, I will park in your driveway.

[lanforod]

Me too!

[Bambam]

I'm curious about the parking for that. That's why we've never gone. It was far easier for us to go to it when it was in Beacon Hill. My daughter took her little toddler over by bus, which is a pain in the behind. When it was time to leave they were running for the bus and even though she's pretty sure the driver saw her, he pulled away so she had to wait another 40 minutes or something. 

 

To quote AI:

 

".....parking is limited for the Gorge Road Canada Day celebration. Attendees are encouraged to walk, bike, or take the bus to the event."

 

Which is bang on, OTOH its also true that attendees often do not mind parking whereever they can as far away as the other end of Selkirk by Banfield Park. Selkirk, McNaughton, Uganda, Gosper Crescent and a host of other streets which bisect and dead end at Gorge Rd directly such as Inex, Dysart, Inlet and Parkview essentially become their own versions of instant and haphazard parking lots.

 

That said transit buses that serve the area such as Gorge, Crosstown, Obed etc., are all definitely heavily utilized as well. There is no dedicated one stop shop parking area for the event.

[LJ]

Do they have a bike valet service?