Cordova Bay Day is a tradition that brings together the seaside community like nothing else.
Saturday is the 13th annual running of the event, which takes place at three different venues from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. David by the Sea Anglican Church, the Cordova Bay Plaza and Mattick’s Farm will all have activities for kids and families.
“There’s a connection to the weekend regattas that drew so many people here in the 1930s,” said Larry Gontovnick, president of the community association. “This is the village that started with summer cabins along the water, that people would take the train to get to [on the Lochside Trail] from Victoria.”
The Cordova Bay Association for Community Affairs runs the festival which started off at (McMorran’s) Beach House and the church, St. David by the Sea.
“We expanded it in our 10th year to the plaza, and this is our third year with activities at Mattick’s as well,” Gontovnick said. “It’s become a community-wide event as much as possible.”
Cordova Bay Plaza will host a show and shine car show, a bouncy castle, and involvement from all the stores, with a sidewalk sale by Calico Quilts and the dollar store. Tru Value Foods will host a barbecue and serve ice cream. The Mason Jar Eatery will also have ice cream as well as cookie decorating and a kids zone.
A Saanich Fire Department engine, Saanich Police car, and Ace the Mascot will also be on hand.
There’ll also be a car driving simulator at the plaza, Gontovnick said.
“There will be craft vendor tables at the church, and plenty of tables of community organizations.”
Mattick’s stores will host a sidewalk sale and there will be a discount on mini golf rounds, and Red Barn will have its BarnBBQ on hand.
Cordova Bay Day has been growing, with more than 1,000 people attending last year, and Gontovnick said they are expecting the same size crowd this year as the weather forecast looks good.
For more information on Cordova Bay Day visit cbasn.com.