Ride. Learn. Discover. Eat. And give fresh-air thanks for the season’s bounty.
Community groups sharing a sustainable live/work/eat locally philosophy are banding together to present the first Sooke Slow Food Cycle (SSFC) on Thanksgiving Sunday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or shine.
Choose between two routes both beginning at the Sooke Harbour House: The 30km “Red Route” traces back roads in the farm belt west of Sooke and is intended for mid-level and advanced riders. The gentler, pedestrian-friendly “Green Route,” winds along off-road trails snaking east through the town core. This latter route is also suitable for walkers, skateboarders and even those on horseback.
Along the way drop into 20+ farms, homes, businesses and green spaces for mini-workshops, demos, displays and friendly, practical expert advice on a wide variety of food, alternative energy and harvest-season themes: urban gardens, backyard chickens, beekeeping, electric bikes, food preservation, foraging, worm composting, edible seaweeds, solar power and more.
Tickets will be available online and at regional bike shops ($21 per person/$42 for family groups). Any profits will be donated to nutrition-based cancer research on behalf of three local farmers battling the disease.
The non-profit, volunteer-run Sooke Slow Food Cycle was launched by the Juan de Fuca Cycling Coalition and the Sooke Transition Town Society in collaboration with the T’Sou-ke First Nation, the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and Sooke Food CHI.
The event is sanctioned by Slow Food Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, the regional branch of the celebrated international organization dedicated to “good, clean and fair” food. It will be the first Slow Food Cycle on Vancouver Island in the wake of mainland rides in Pemberton, Agassiz and Chilliwack.
Our objectives:
1. To create a fun, family friendly and largely spandex-free event that celebrates peddle power, locally grown food and the core values of the Transition Town movement (sustainability, resilience and community).
2. To inspire participants and give them simple takeaway ideas they can apply in their own homes and gardens.
3. To support our local food producers by promoting the “good, clean and fair” mandate of the international Slow Food movement.
4. To highlight Sooke’s potential as a cycling destination and key stop on the Pacific Marine Circle Route.
5. To prioritize the development of an integrated off-road trail and pedestrian network running from Whiffin Spit Road as far east as the Galloping Goose trail (as per Sooke’s Official Community Plan).
6. To offer an awesome, inspiring day of fresh air, community and shared hope for a more sustainable future where it counts: in our homes, families, lifestyles & environmentally smart and respectful choices.
Please join us! Visit: www.sookeslowfoodcycle.com
Each month Sooke Harbour House gallery features a different artist or group of artists and highlights their work throughout the Inn. Our February and March show is titled “Love at First Sight” and features the work of Patty Patching. Her work will be on display, and for sale!, February 1 – March 29th. Please visit our gallery soon for one of these excellent shows.
October 1st – November 29th, “Art from Scratch” featuring works by Maria Kaltio and Patrice Plank will be on display at Sooke Harbour House. An opening reception with artists in attendance will be held Sunday, October 3rd, from 1-4 pm. Admission and refreshments are free so why not stop by for a look?
Sooke Harbour House art gallery presents “Figurative Art” with Lisa Hebden. Lisa’s work will be on display in the Garden Room until September 29th. Admission is free so please stop in. CLICK HERE to view full size poster.
http://www.countymarket.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2542598 Who wouldn't want to add adventures to every day life. Pamela Irving takes us with her on her adventures, zipping through the tall trees, then exploring the ocean and the whales, all of this in our little town of Sooke. I invite you to spend a few days with us at Sooke Harbour House and you too can add exciting adventures to your life soothing, relaxing and flavourful times at the end of the day while staying with us.
