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S E P T E M B E R

Carving On the Edge Festival
September 2012

Carving on the edge showcases the traditional and contemporary exploration of west coast carving with exhibits, forums, feasts, family programs and demonstrations.

Two art shows and a canoe carving workshop headline this unique festival. Visit a long list of galleries and public art displays exploring the rich tradition of carving on the west coast. Carvers will be hosting hand-on events. Come join the celebration!

CARVING ART SHOWS
WYA Welcome Centre, Tofino-Ucluelet Junction;
 The Shore Tofino and Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet

For more information, click here.

 

Golf Tournaments March to September, 2012

Wickaninnish Inn Pro-Am Tournament. Proceeds go toward the Ucluelet Secondary School's athletics program! To date, over $20,000 has been raised for our local students. Held at the Long Beach Golf Course near Long Beach, Pacific Rim National Park.

National Forest Week September 2012

FOREST WEEK INFO SHOWCASE Pacific Rim Visitors Center: information and demonstration tables from Iisaak, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, and Raincoast Education Society and Parks Canada. Secondary wood products and more.

Terry Fox Run September 16, 2012

Third Sunday in September, held on the Wild Pacific Trail Ucluelet.

O C T O B E R

Surf Compititions
October - November 2012

The Pacific Rim has been discovered by world class surfing compitions for several years in a row. 2012 is likely to attract more attention - check back for breaking news on dates. In addition to the beaches within the District of Tofino (Cox Bay, North and South Chesterman, McKenzie) the competition may be expanded to include beaches within the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.

Ucluelet Aquarium Release date
Mid October 2012

Join in the fun for the Ucluelet Aquarium Release Day. Rain or shine, come out and release the aquarium specimens back to the ocean. This is a popular event for children of all ages. Click here to learn more.

Tofino Film Festival
Late October 2012

15th annual film festival in the Clayoquot Sound Community Theatre. Check back for details.

N O V E M B E R

Clayoquot Oyster Growers Festival
November 15-17, 2012

The Clayoquot Oyster Festival is a hodge-podge of oysters, literature, cooking, island music, fine wines and of course the ultra-competitive oyster slurping contest where festival guests vie for titles in a number of categories. Local chefs from ten restaurants will each take 200 Clayoquot Oysters, supplied by the festival committee, and whip up their best oyster appetizer to compete for the People’s Choice Award. Throughout the festival’s main evening, the appetizers are intermingled with music, wine tasting, cooking demo’s and storytelling. Last year about 4,000 oysters were consumed during the evening! Mermaid's Ball is on Friday night. Oyster Gala is on Saturday. oystergala.com

Christmas Craft Fairs
Late November to early December

Local artists and artisans create an impressive array of gift items. A popular event sponsored by the Pacific Rim Arts Society for locals and visitors. Events are held in both Ucluelet and Tofino.

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D E C E M B E R

Winter Celebration Artist Festival
December 10-11, 2012

Check back for further information! www.pacificrimarts.ca

A P R I L

Sailpast
Mid December 2012

A fun event for kids of any age! Join the sound and light parade of boats, best viewed from the main Street dock at Ucluelet's Whiskey Landing. Hot chocolate and cookies.

J A N U A R Y - F E B R U A R Y

Storm Watching Season

Regular high winds off the west coast are delighting storm-watchers with really impressive waves.
Click here for a special storm page.

Watch the breathtaking beauty and power of a winter storm, followed by fine dining and a cozy room. The ideal winter get-away! The west coast is GREEN year round and coastal breezes keep the temperatures mild. Room rates are low and the beaches are empty.

Mild west coast weather becomes punctuated with wildly powerful storms. Rainbows, surf pounded beaches, mists and storm clouds alternate in beauty. Click here for Current Weather Forecast

Click here for regional weather www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.com
(use the marine forecast to see wind speeds - also an indicator for waves)

Experienced surfers also enjoy the biggests waves of the year.

Mazoola Theatre

February 7-12, 2012
"Treasure Island", a performace of school children with the guidance of a traveling theater group.

 

 

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M A R C H

Pacific Rim Whale Festival
March 17-25, 2012

Gray Whales have heralded the coming of spring along the west coast of Vancouver Island for thousands of years. Grays travel close to shore, pausing to feed in shallow waters, providing excellent viewing opportunities from strategic shore locations or get aboard a whale watching tour.

As well as the unique opportunity to see these huge marine mammals, the festival offers daily educational and fun events in Pacific Rim National Park, and the communities of Ucluelet and Tofino designed to involve the whole family. Ocean scientists and whale researcher present programs about whale migration, biology and the conservation efforts that have brought the Gray whales back from the edge of extinction. There will be lots to see, do and learn, so come on over to the wild west coast to see the Gray Whales on Parade! Click here for an action packed calendar of events: pacificrimwhalefestival.com

Art Splash March 17-25, 2012

Pacific Rim Arts Society’s Annual Spring Art Show
West Coast artists’ work on display and available for purchase. Come view paintings, drawings, ceramics, 3-D & multi-media works, jewellery, photography, carvings, sculpture & more. This event grows every year, plan to attend! www.pacificrimarts.ca

A P R I L

Great Gray Whale Migration

Thousands of Gray whales pass the west coast of Vancouver Island during their annual spring migration. Best time of year to see groups of whales with young. Later in the year resident whales are typically seen. The best way to see whales is on a nature tour.

The Month of the Flying Geese

In the Nuu-Chah-Nulth language, April is aptly known as the Month of the Flying Geese. In addition to the thousands of Gray Whales that migrate past our shores in April, tens of thousands of birds and wildfowl reach the West Coast in their annual migration. Gray Whales continue to pass the shoreline as well .

BC Arts & Culture Week
April 2012

Artist in Action events at local galleries!

5th Annual Earthday Pancake Breakfast
Sunday, April 22 th, 2012

On April 22nd the Tofino masses will gather on the village green to scarf down stacks of hemp pancakes and gulp mugs of hemp coffee to celebrate Earth Day ­ a day to rekindle commitments to building a cleaner world. Earth Day is meant to broaden support for environmental programs and build community activism worldwide through events like the flea market and the Tofino pancake breakfast. All funds generated through donations will go to the Raincoast Education Society ­ a non-profit society aimed at educating both children and adults about the natural environment.

M A Y

11th Annual Shorebird Festival
May 2012

Tens of thousands of birds and wildfowl reach the West Coast in their annual migration. Ucluelet/Tofino is directly in the path of the Pacific Flyway, and is an ideal location for nature watchers. Overhead large flocks of birds fill the sky. The estuaries along Barkley Sound and Clayoquot Sound are resting places for the flocks. Join the Raincoast Education Society for slideshows, guided birdwatching, a photography workshop and a Mudflats Stewardship celebration! Learn more about these amazing birds that stop on our local mudflats and beaches for just a few days during a journey thousands of kilometers long. ww.raincoasteducation.org

7th Annual
George Fraser Day & Heritage Fair
Saturday, May 2012

Celebrate West Coast pioneer George Fraser, and the beautiful rhododendrons that are our heritage. Historical displays; Old Time Fiddlers; Silent Auction; Raffles; Door Prizes; and plant sale.

Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Deby
Saturday, late May to September 2012

Prizes awarded every month all summer, then winners enter the fish-off for the $40,000 grand prize! Visit www.uclueletsalmonladderderby.com for details.

 

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J U N E

Ucluelet Salmon Ladder Deby
June to September 2012

Prizes awarded every month all summer, then winners enter the fish-off for the $40,000 grand prize!
Visit www.uclueletsalmonladderderby.com for details.

Feast! Tofino-Ucluelet Culinary Guild

Early June, 2012

The Tofino-Ucluelet Culinary Guild is cooking up something delicious -and local- for you! Celebrate our sustainable boat-to-plate tradition with this month-long homage to our salmon, spot prawns, and Dungness Crab. Savour prix fixe menus offered throughout the area, and enjoy a cornucopia of unique experiences pairing local and visiting chefs with some outdoor adventure and choice flavours! Visit the FeastBC website. This event culminates in the Food and Wine Festival.

Tofino Food & Wine Festival
Early June, 2012

The festival will showcase BC's fine wines and Vancouver Island food by Tofino's finest culinary talent. A weekend of food and wine events focused on the best of British Columbia. Guest winemakers from the Okanagan, Lower Mainland, Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island will migrate to the wild west coast to showcase their best. Local chefs will be creating canapes and feature dinners alongside winemakers, highlighting the marriage between food and wine!
 www.tofinofoodandwinefestival.com 

Edge to Edge Marathon
June 10, 2012

The Edge to Edge Marathon has just been selected by Attractions Canada as the #1 Athletic Attraction in all of Canada!

Run the official marathon distance between Tofino and Ucluelet. Take on the challenge of the West Coast! Starting at the small village of Tofino, you will run a slightly undulating scenic course through Pacific Rim National Park, finishing in the District of Ucluelet - a perfect Marathon distance through a perfectly "natural" course. Register early. Contact the Edge to Edge Marathon or call the Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce for details (250-726-4641).

Van Isle 360 (Yacht Race)
June 2013

The Van Isle 360 is an international yacht race circumnavigating Vancouver Island for 3 weeks in June every two years.
International attention will be focused on ten communities on Vancouver Island who have been designated host ports. As the host port on the longest portion of the race, the June layover in Ucluelet has scheduled activities for both racer and spectators. The start/finish line for this leg of the race can be viewed from Amphitrite Point Lighthouse in Ucluelet or from spectator boats. This will be a spectacular event you won't want to miss. vanisle360.com

Long Beach Golf Tournaments
April through September 2012

PGA of BC, West Coast Shootout, PGA of BC Pro events. Visit longbeachgolfcourse.com or call 250-725-3332.

Aboriginal Days
June 21, 2012

Aboriginal Day celebrations at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve · Native performances of dance and music. Guided Nuu-chch-nulth Trail tour· Lunch provided by donation

Children’s Events:
· Face painting
· Language game
· Stealing Sticks game on beach

Artists-in-aciton:
· Numerous Artists demonstrate their crafts

Other Events:
· June 20, celebration and BBQ at Tin-Wis Best Western, Tofino 10 am to 4 pm

Summer Surf Jam
May & June 2012

BC Surfing Association competition will attract national and international surfers to Cox Bay Tofino. DJs, BBQ and food. Free for spectators. This highly anticipated event is a two-day judged surf contest and music jam. A visually exciting and crowd pleasing event attracts fans and spectators from across BC and the rest of the country as well as competitive surfers from California, Hawaii, Australia, Brazil and around the world surfing head-to-head against Canada’s best.

J U L Y

Canada Day July 1, 2012

The West Coast's annual celebration of Canada's Birthday. Festivities include Colour Guard Parade, children's crafts and activities, sand castle competition, beach volleyball, free family BBQ and more! Sponsored by Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, activities will take place on Wickaninnish Beach and in Ucluelet.

Summer Music Fest July 1-11, 2012

Starting day is July 1, Canada Day, with free open-air concerts in Ucluelet and Tofino. PAcific RIm Art Society will host 10 to 12 more acts for your WestCoast enjoyment over a two week period. Visit pacificrimarts.ca for details.

Ukee Days July 27-29, 2012

A weekend of fun for the whole family! The fun starts on Friday with a Salmon Barbecue on the Village Green followed by an entertainment event. Saturday events include a parade, Lions Club pancake breakfast, Logger Sports, Ukee Days Dance, kids games, face painting, live entertainment, exhibitors, contests, prizes and much more. The highlight of Sunday activities is a great lineup of live music.

A U G U S T

Lantern Festival August 26, 2012

Come join the enchantment! Build a paper lantern at the Rainforest Interpretive Centre then bring your creation to the festival at the Tofino Botanical Gardens for a walk through magical forest paths and reflecting pools. Performers add music from the shadows. Not to be missed! Visit www.raincoasteducation.org for more info.