The Cedar Hill Arts Centre is putting an artistic twist on Family Day.
Family Day at the arts centre promises a fun-filled family event celebrating imagination, creativity and discovery. Kids of all ages will enjoy a wide variety of activities led by arts centre staff and guests from Greater Victoria’s arts community.
The free event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre and allows participants to explore the world of visual arts, dance, music and theatre through hands-on stations and performances.
While the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature House will be closed on Family Day, the trails throughout the sanctuary will remain open to the public.
“Saanich residents – and all of Victoria – can enjoy a leisurely stroll around the lake trails. And should you find yourself in the neighbourhood leading up to Family Day, pop in to purchase some duck food to feed the ducks in advance of your Family Day visit,” said Kathleen Burton, executive director at the nature sanctuary.
“There is much to do at the sanctuary. One can also enjoy a self-guided hike up Christmas Hill to enjoy the oak-forested meadows, not to mention the breathtaking vistas and the view offered to you when you reach the top.”
The sanctuary features two distinct ecosystems: the marshland of Swan Lake and the rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill. Both are home to an incredible array of native plants and wild animals.
“The sanctuary is a living classroom fostering an understanding and appreciation of nature through direct experiences. It is here to encourage responsibility for the care and protection of the natural environment for people of all ages,” said Burton.
She said visitors to the sanctuary can often be found bird watching with a pair of binoculars.
“A favourite find at the moment is to be able to spot the beautiful plumage of the pine grosbeak, and who doesn’t love the majestic bald eagles that have been regular visitors of late,” said Burton, who reminds visitors that dogs are not permitted in the sanctuary..
The Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence is offering a free Physical Literacy ‘Family Day’ on Monday in celebration of the Family Day holiday.
The PISE gymnasium will be open from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature physical literacy fun and games for all the family including an obstacle course, which teaches fundamental movement skills like balance, throwing and jumping. Open play will be available for activities like basketball. PISE staff will be on hand to facilitate the activities and guide technique, although children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. PISE will also be collecting gently used shoes and donating them to Kicks for Kids.
“We are excited to open our gymnasium doors for families to experience physical literacy on B.C. Family Day,” said PISE CEO Robert Bettauer. “We know that parents and children love playing together and through participating in physical literacy we naturally encourage them to incorporate healthy active living in a fun way into their daily lives. As Canadian leaders in physical literacy, PISE is delighted to share and promote family fun with our community.”
PISE is located on the Camosun College campus at 4371 Interurban Rd., where visitors can enjoy free parking for the day.