Summer Vacation

sand sculpture
Jun25

The Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition & Exhibition

2019 SAND SCULPTING COMPETITION

July 12:  2pm – 9pm

July 13 & 14:  9am – 9pm

2019 EXHIBITION

July 15 – August 18

Open 9am – 9pm daily

 

What are you going to do this summer? If you are interested in art, you will be fascinated by these professional sand sculptures!

The Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition is a world class event for Master Sand Sculptors and is an official qualifying event for the World Championship of Sand Sculpting. These Master Sculptors travel from all corners of the globe to participate in our remarkable competition and exhibition in Parksville. You can watch the sculptures “under construction” beginning Friday, July 12 at 2 pm. Judging will take place on Sunday from 3-5 pm and the winners will be announced Sunday at approximately 5:30 pm. The gated exhibition will remain open to the public until Sunday, August 18th, from 9am-9pm daily. Voting for the ever popular “People’s Choice Award” begins after judging has been completed.

Be sure to bring your camera to this amazing event because once the exhibition is over the sculptures are gone forever.  You and your family are sure to be inspired to create a little sandcastle magic of your own after viewing the sand sculptures – so bring your own buckets and shovels! 

Here are some photos to show the previous winners of this prestigious competition.

Each soloist has a 12×15 foot plot and gets 10 yards of sand while doubles get a 20×20 foot plot and 15 yards of sand. ALL the sand must be utilized in the creation of their artwork. They have 30 pre-set hours over 4 days to create their masterpieces.

Looking at these masterpieces you might wonder how they stay together!  Essentially they are just made from sand and water. However to withstand wind and rain, they are sprayed with a diluted mixture of environmentally-friendly white glue (like the glue kids use at school) and water only AFTER the sculptures are completed. In the first place, the sculptures must be constructed properly – lots of packing and pounding to make them strong!

Want to see the sculptures for yourself?  Book a stay near Parksville and you can do just that!

Check out our accommodation options – then call us on 1.877.778.6466 or email breakaway@lloydstravel.com to book your perfect visit to Vancouver Island.

 

Written by Natsumi Matsumoto

Vancouver Island
May14

Vancouver Island MusicFest 2019

July 12-14

On Vancouver Island, there are lots of fun events. One of the most exciting summer events is the Vancouver MusicFest, which has been bringing great music to the Island for 25 years. It is produced by the Comox Valley Folk Society, is not-for-profit, and is a largely volunteer driven event. They offer over 200 musical performers on 6 fully programmed stages as well as instructional workshops, yoga sessions, an interactive kidzzone, art displays, a beer and cider tent, top-notch food and craft vendors, on-site camping and a magical riverside venue at the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds.

As the venue is situated on a pastoral acreage bordering the forested banks of the Tsolum River, camping here will be a great experience for festival goers and gentle jammers. For more information about camping, please check the link https://www.islandmusicfest.com/fairgrounds/camping/

 

Stages

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One of the magical components of Vancouver Island Music Fest is their spectacular site and the distinct settings for performance areas. Each stage has its own personality and as you move from stage to stage, you feel as though you have entered a new venue. The stages are The Concert Bowl Stage, The Grierson Stage, The Grassy Knoll, The Woodland Stage, The Barn, and The Crossroads. 

 

Friendly to Every Person

To welcome a diverse audience, the Vancouver Island MusicFest family has initiated an important festival and community building project. There are newly made wheelchair access routes to shaded areas and audience members with accessibility challenges who require a care attendant on site are invited to take part in a new “Access Program”. Care attendants (1 per person) will be admitted free of charge at the main festival gate the weekend of the festival. 

Children can also have fun at Vancouver MusicFest. At kizzone, there are supervised craft activities all weekend long, stilt walking, costumes, sprinklers, music, art projects, juggling, story telling, face painting and a kids parade. Interactive workshops are open to kids and their caregivers. Schedules for workshops and performances are detailed in the event program. The Kidzzone runs 10:00 am until 6:00 pm Saturday and Sunday. 

 

Living Green

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To lessen the significant environmental impact, Vancouver MusicFest has been developing programs such as Fair trade, composting, recycling, total plastic free policies, using bio-degradable alternatives and interactive eco-education activities.

In 2009 Outside Magazine recognized Vancouver Island MusicFest as one of the Top 25 outdoor festivals in North America with a special mention of our Living Green Programs. In partnership with organizations including World Community, Tsolum River Restoration Society, BC Creek Protection Society, Comox Valley Regional District, CUPE, Comox Valley Project Watershed, Living Oceans Society and others, Vancouver Island MusicFest is forging partnerships that will help to ensure a sustainable festival in years to come.

 

Interested in Vancouver Island MusicFest? Why not extend your trip and stay in one of our Vacation Rental Homes?  Contact our Reservation Team at 1-877-778-6466 or email breakaway@lloydstravel.com to find out more.

 

Written by Natsumi Matsumoto

 

Note: Images used in this blog post are from the Vancouver Island MusicFest website.

 

Apr03

The Beaches of Pender Island

 Getting ready for your Pender Island getaway?  Well, here’s a list of beaches – rocky and sandy – to dip your toes into! There’s nothing like a warm summer’s day spent by the water.

 

  • Mortimer Spit:

    Accessible sandy beach, north of the bridge that connects North & South Island. This is the best location for swimming and sunbathing.  Most of Pender Island shoreline is rocky, so make the most of this sandy bay.

  • Medicine Beach:

    On North Pender Island, at the far end of Bedwell Harbour, you will find Medicine Beach & Nature Sanctuary.  As well as the beach which is perfect for taking walks, there is also a salt water marsh behind (one of the few left in the area) which is a nature sanctuary.

  • Stanley Point:

    Small but sweet, the beach at Stanley Point has great rock formations and brilliant views of the Swanson Channel.

  • Gowlland Point:

    For an exceptionally good viewpoint, head over to Gowlland Point on South Pender Island. There is a pebble beach here as well as lovely walks around the grassy headlands.  Expect to see beautiful views of Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands!

  • Beaumont Marine Park:

    Beaumont Marine Park is fantastic for hiking and boating. There are many trails to choose from, and you will be rewarded with a sandy beach at the end.  Since this is a marine park, it is the ideal place to sit a while and watch for seals, otters and other animals.

 

Do you have a favourite Pender Island beach that’s not on this list?  Let us know, and we’ll be sure to check it out!

Haven’t booked your accommodation yet?  Take a look at our magical Pender Island vacation homes and reserve your dates today!

 

Written by Hannah Poaros