Oceanside hosts more than 140 events in a year. These events contribute to our vibrancy, our economy and our identity. The season is beginning and over the next month we will see the food and wine festival, Parksville Uncorked and the Parksville Community Awards (The Glassies) and The Brant Wildlife Festival.
Parksville Uncorked on Feb. 23 to 25 features gourmet foods and the very best wines from Vancouver Island and British Columbia. Whether you are a novice or an experienced wine lover come and enjoy tastings, seminars, featured wine dinners, bubbly brunches and wine inspired spa treatments. For more information see www.tigh-na-mara.com
The chamber-sponsored Parksville Community Awards will be held at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre on March 5. This is a gala event to honour businesses and citizens who go the extra mile.
Nominees will be announced March 2. Nomination deadline is Jan. 26.
The Brant celebrates the return of the little geese on their flight from Mexico to Alaska.
The Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce believe this is an important community event and have established a partnership with the Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce, the City of Parksville, Oceanside Tourism Association, the Parksville Downtown Business Association, the Parksville Qualicum Fish and Game Club and The News.
The festival will run from March 29 to April 9 with an opening reception at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre kicking things off on March 29.
The festival seeks to increase the awareness of our interconnectedness with nature and highlights how important nature is to our quality of life.
Each year the festival shares this story through a variety of events. Wildlife viewing, ecotours, marsh walks, an art exhibition and concert are some of the many activities being planned. For more see www.brantfestival.bc.ca
Volunteers and Sponsors for the event are welcome. For information contact the Chamber office at 250 248 3613.
All these events are great opportunities to be a tourist in your hometown and learn and experience something you may not have known about this great place we call home.
Kim Burden is the executive director of the Parksville and District Chamber of Commerce