What's Up? A List of Events in Cowichan

This is always a busy time of year in Cowichan. So many things going on!  There are lots of activities for every taste and interest.  Get outside, enjoy the sunshine, and join in the fun.

Summertime means road work here on the island.  If you are traveling to or from Victoria, you'll find this schedule, listing planned road work on the Malahat useful.  Bookmark the page or print the schedule out so that you have it on hand when planning your trips.

BC Forest Protection warns of extreme fire danger here in the valley.  If you are camping or picnicking, please be very careful with your fires.

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• Ongoing – Penny Drive fundraiser for MS Support Group. Drop off your pennies at the MS Society office, Duncan
• Ongoing – Penny Drive fundraiser in support of four food banks, Wavaw, & The Salvation Army, News Leader Pictorial office, 2-5380 Trans Canada Highway, Duncan
• Ongoing – Frances Kelsey student art show, Whiskey Point Grill, Mill Bay
• June 1 - October 1 - Stage 1 sprinkling regulations are in place for all CVRD water systems.  For more informaton on regulations contact the CVRD at 250-746-2513 or visit cvrd.bc.ca
• June 11 - October 11 - The Chemainus River Bridge located on Chemainus River near Pinson's Corner (between Swallowfield Rd. and Ashcroft Road) will be closed to all traffic including vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.
• June 18 - October 26 - Cowichan Valley Intercultural and Immigrant Aid Society Tapestry Gala, Quw'utsun' Cultural and Conference Center, 200 Cowichan Way, Duncan.  Info, 250-748-3112
• June 28 - August 5 - Duncan Cowichan Summer Festival, Downtown Duncan.  Info, cowichanfestival.com
• July 15 - August 30, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Alpine Stables Summer Riding Camps.  For detailed schedule info visit http://www.alpinestable.com/
• July 25, 7:00 p.m. - Prostate Cancer Support Group, Boardroom, Canadian Cancer Society Office, 100-394 Duncan St.  Info, 250-743-6960
• July 26 - 28 - Ukee Days, 160 Seaplane Base Rd., Uclulet.  Info, ukeedays.wordpress.com
• July 26 - 28, 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. - Vancouver Island Fat Tire Festival, MTB ridges in Cumberland, Nanaimo, and the Cowichan Valley.  Info and registration, http://www.vifattire.com/
• July 26 - 28, 11:00 a.m. - midnight - Rock of the Woods Music Festival, Godfrey Brownwell Winery, 4911 Marhall Rd., Duncan.  Info, 250-709-2842 or http://rockofthewoods.com/2013/
• July 26 - 29, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Annual Herbal Intensive, Benoit and Associates Health Education, 5175 Bills Rd., Duncan.  Info, 250-748-6802
• July 26, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. (and every Friday) - Art Beat, a weekly art walk and street party, Willow St., Chemainus.  Info, www.cvcas.com
• July 27, 6:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Bluebird Blitz and Nestbox Building, Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve, at the end of Aitken Rd., Maple Bay.  Info, 250-220-1648
• July 27, 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Community Farm Store Anniversary Celebration, Duncan Garage, 330 Duncan St.  Info, http://www.communityfarmstore.ca/
• July 27, 9:45 am - 12:00 noon - Self guided public tour O.U.R. Ecovillage, 1565 Baldy Mountain Rd., Shawnigan Lake.  Pre-booking required.  250-743-3067
• July 27, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (and every Saturday until Thanksgiving) - Honeymoon Bay Outdoor Market, Coffee Mill, Honeymoon Bay.
• July 27, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Document Shredding Event in support of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Island Savings, Duncan Center.  Info, www.iscu.com//Community?Events/EventListing/  
• July 27, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. (weekly on Saturdays) - Open Mic, Duncan's Courts Sports Lounge
• July 27, all day - Cowichan Bay Boat Festival, Cowichan Bay village.  Info, www.classiboats.org/
• July 27, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - The Fast and Furious Boat Building Competition, Cowichan Maritime Center, 1761 Cowichan Bay Rd.  Info, www.classicboats.org/
• July 27, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Lavenderfest, Dimali Lavendar Farm, 3500 Telegraph Rd.  Info, 250-743-4100
• July 27 and 28, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Chemainus Valley Bluegrass Extravaganza, Waterwheel Park, Chemainus.  Info, http://chemainusbluegrass.com/index.html
• July 27, 12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m. - Argentina BBQ cooking class at Deerholme Farm.  Info, 250-748-7450
• July 27, 9:15 p.m . (approx.) - Summer movies in the park, Field A, Kerry Park Sports Fields. Admission by donation.  Info, 250-743-5922
• July 28 (and every Sunday through Oct. 6) 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. - South Cowichan Farmers’ Market, 4485 Trans Canada Highway at Koksilah Rd.
• July 28, 10:00 a.m. - noon - Fairburn Farm Water Buffalo Tour, 3310 Jackson Rd, Duncan.  Info and RSVP, http://fairburnfarm.bc.ca/
• July 28- 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - Bamberton's Good Old Daze, Bamberton Museum. Info, 250-743-9196
• July 28, 2:00 p.m. - Ian McDougall 12tet, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club
• July 28, 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. - Crofton Jazz with the Time Bandits, Crofton Hotel Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton
• July 30, 12:00 noon (weekly on Tuesdays) - Toastmasters Noon Hour Club, Duncan Travelodge, 140 Trans-Canada Hwy.
• July 30, 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. (and every Tuesday until fall) - Ladysmith Make it, Bake It, Grow It Farmers Market, 1st Ave., Ladysmith
• July 30, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Tuesdays) - Dads Make a Difference, 213 - 80 Station St., Duncan.  Info, 250-597-2801
• July 31, 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. (continuing weekly on Wednesdays) - Choir with Cari Burdett, all welcome, M'akola Centre, Ts'i'ts'uwatul'Lelum Assisted Living, 5755 Allenby Rd., Duncan.  Info, www.joythroughmusic.com
• July 31, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (and every Wednesday) - Chemainus Wednesday Market, Waterwheel Square, Chemainus.  Info, 250-246-3944
• July 31, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Wednesdays) - Cowichan Toastmasters Club 950, Duncan Travelodge, 140 Trans-Canada Highway, Duncan.  Info, 250-743-1785
• July 31, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Wednesdays) - Cowichan Men’s Circle, The Hub, Cowichan Station.  Info, 250-597-2801.  
• August 1, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (and the 1st and 3rd Thursday of every month) - Knitting, Crochet, Embroidery and Handwork Group, 3696 Gardner Rd., Saltair
• August 1 (and every Thursday) - Free nature meditations with Dr. John Scull.  Info, 250-746-6141
• August 1, 2:00 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) - Chronic Pain Self Management Program, MS Society of Canada, 204-394 Duncan St., Duncan.  Info, 1-866-902-3767 (toll free)
• August 1, 2:30 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) – Multicultural Leadership Group, Duncan United Church, 246 Ingram St.
• August 1, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) - Family Choir - 100 Voices for One World, Cari Burdett, 3228A Gibbins Rd., Duncan.  Info, www.joythroughmusic.com
• August 1, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) - Triple P Preteen Parenting Program, Margaret Moss Health Centre, Duncan.  Info, www.triplepvip.ca
• August 1, 7:00 p.m. (weekly on Thursdays) – Meditation, VIU Cowichan Campus.  Info, 250-710-7594
• August 1- 4, 12:00 noon - 11:00 p.m. - Sunfest Country Music Festival, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds.  Info, http://sunfestconcerts.com/
• August 1 - 5, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Biondo Junior Grass Court Championships, South Cowichan Lawn Tennis Club, 2290 Cowichan Bay Rd.  Info, scltc.bc.ca 
• August 2, 3, and 4 - Ladysmith Days.  Info, www.ladysmithdays.com
• August 2 to 4, 4:00 p.m. - 12:00 midnight - Annual Island Star Party hosted by Cowichan Valley Star Finders Astronomy Society, Bright Angel Park, Koksilah Rd, Cowichan Station.  Info, starfinders.ca 
• August 3 and 4 - 33rd Annual Cowichan Bay Regatta.  Info, cowbay-regatta.ca 
• August 4, all day - Bamberton Historical Tours, Bamberton Museum.  Info, 250-743-9196
• August 4, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. - Kids' Day, BC Forest Discovery Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Rd., Duncan.  Info, bcforestdiscoverycentre.com
• August 4, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Crofton Jazz with Nanaimo bassist John Lee and his trio, Crofton Hotel Pub, 1534 Joan Ave., Crofton
• August 7, 7:00 p.m. - H'Sao Quintet from Chad, Africa, St. Peter's Church, Duncan
• August 10, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - 2013 Youbou Regatta.  Info, 250-749-6742 
• August 10, 5:30 - 11:30 p.m. - Third Annual Thetis Island Summer Soiree and Art Auction, Forbes Hall, Thetis Island.  Info, www.thetisislandcommunityfund.org 
• August 10, 9:15 p.m . (approx.) - Summer movies in the park, Field A, Kerry Park Sports Fields. Admission by donation.  Info, 250-743-5922
• August 11, all day - Bamberton Historical Tours, Bamberton Museum.  Info, 250-743-9196
• August 11, 10:00 a.m. - 2013 BC Kidney Walks, Cowichan Valley Sportsplex.  Info, cowichanvalleykidneywalk.ca
• August 11, 2:00 p.m. - Marie-Josee Lord, opera diva, St. Peter's  Church, Duncan
• August 16, 2:00 - 6:15 p.m. – RCMP Musical Ride, Avalon Equestrian Center.  Info and tickets, 250-746-7529
• August 17, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Cowichan River Cleanup and Bottle Drive, Lake Cowichan Town Hall, 39 South Shore Rd., Lake Cowichan. Info, cowichan-lake-stewards.ca 
• August 17 and 18, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. - Ladysmith Show and Shine, downtown Ladysmith.  Info, members.shaw.ca/ladysmithsns/
• August 18, all day - Bamberton Historical Tours, Bamberton Museum.  Info, 250-743-9196
• August 18 - September 8 - Frank Jameson Community Center in Ladysmith will be closed for maintenance.
• August 18, 10:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Special Woodstock's 14th Annual Music Festival, Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Road, Duncan.  Info, www.specialwoodstock.ca
• August 18, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. - A Jazz Dinner in the Vineyard, Maria Manna Concert - a fundraiser for Jeneece Place, Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island, Amuse on the Vineyard, 2915 Cameron-Taggart Rd., Mill Bay.  Info, amuseonthevineyard.com 
• August 19 - 23, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - O.U.R. Ecovillage Family Camp: "Circus Extravaganza," 1565 Baldy Mountain Rd., Shawnigan Lake.  Info, 250-743-3067 
• August 19 to 30, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - CTRA Summer Horse Camps for children of all abilities aged 6 to 17, Providence Farm, 1843 Tzouhalem Rd., Duncan.  Info, ctra.ca 
• August 24, all day - Jubilee Jazz Festival, Chemainus.  Info, chemainusjazzfestival.com
• August 24, 9:15 p.m . (approx.) - Summer movies in the park, Field A, Kerry Park Sports Fields. Admission by donation.  Info, 250-743-5922
• August 25 – Art on the Avenue artists’ show and sale, downtown Ladysmith
• August 25, 2:00 p.m. - Miles Black Little Big Band and singer Maureen Washington, Arbutus Ridge Golf Club
• August 27, 8:00 a.m. - noon - Oak and Carriage First Annual Show and Shine, 3287 Cowichan Lake Rd., Duncan.  Info, 250-715-6218
• September 5 - 8, 11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Cowichan Exhibition, Cowichan Exhibition Grounds, Duncan.  Info, www.cowex.ca
• September 6 to 8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Introduction to permaculture, designing your own property, Cowichan Valley Green Community, 360 Duncan St.  Info, 250-748-8506 
• September 7 and 8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Vulture Awareness Weekend, Pacific Northwest Raptors, 1877 Herd Rd., Duncan. Info, pnwraptors.com 
• September 7 - 15 - Cowichan Wine and Culinary Festival.  Info, wines.cowichan.net
• September 9 - Frank Jameson Community Centre in Ladysmith resumes regular operating schedule.  
• September 17, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. - Organic Master Gardener Course Info-Session, Cowichan Green Community, 360 Duncan St. Info, 250-748-8506 
• September 21, all day - Great Lake Walk and ultramarathon, all around Cowichan Lake.  Info, greatlakewalk.com
• September 28 and 29, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Salmon and Mushroom Festival, Lake Cowichan Centennial Hall.  Info, salmonmushroomfestival.com 
• October 8 - November 30, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Organic Master Gardeners Course, Cowichan Green Community, 360 Duncan St. Info, 250-748-8506

For current information on the forest fire hazard in your area, please visit http://bcwildfire.ca/weather/maps/danger_rating.htm