Listed here are some fun and interesting things to experience on Vancouver Island.

SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND

Emily Carr: On the Edge of Nowhere
November 17th - December 31st
Gallery Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 10am-5pm
Thursday 10am - 9pm, Sunday 12-5pm

On the Edge of Nowhere will include an historical survey of Carr’s artistic career, featuring pieces in all the media and styles she explored and perfected. It will also focus on Carr’s influences and inspirations, such as European modern art, members of the Group of Seven artists, First Nations artists, Carr’s spirituality, and her interest in developing an art that speaks of her personal experience and her connection to the West Coast landscape.
Visit http://aggv.ca or call (250) 384-4171 for more information.

Ghost Bus-Tours of Victoria
October 29th - October 31st, 6:30pm and 9:00pm

Ghost Bus-tours® have become Victoria’s most popular Halloween activity over the past 17 years. Tour routes are developed and are narrated by John Adams, a well-known local historian and ghost expert who has appeared many times on the Creepy Canada TV series. Each year the two-hour route is different and includes many new stories as well as some of the favourites from previous years. Seating is limited on each bus and tickets sell out quickly, so book early.
For ticket information, visit: www.tourismvictoria.com/ghosts#Results or call 250.384.6698 for more information.

ENCHANTED HALLOWEEN AT HERITAGE ACRES
October 29th - October 31st
Oct 29 5pm - 9pm,  Oct 30 5pm - 9pm, Oct 31 12noon - 5pm

Imagine the vintage-era village of Heritage Acres, bathed in dramatic lighting and accented by glowing hand-crafted lanterns, carved pumpkins and creative decor. This is the backdrop for costumed performers, live musicians, projections and artistic installations which enliven every beautifully weathered corner of this heritage setting for “Enchanted – Halloween at Heritage Acres”. Event highlights include train rides by the Vancouver Island Model Engineers along approximately 3km of decorated track; a Trick-or-Treat trail, featuring interactive costumed characters; inspired decor that includes a beautiful Mexican-themed ‘Day of the Dead’ display, ‘Twisted Oz’, ‘Voodoo on the Bayou’, ‘Lady of the Lake’ and many other displays, as well as games, hands-on activities, kids’ crafts and refreshments under a giant striped circus tent. Visit www.enchantedhalloween.com or call 250.652.0178 for more information.

Chemainus Theatre Festival Presents: Wingfield’s Progress
October 22nd - October 24th

By Dan Needles
Starring Rod Beattie
In his second season on the farm Walt faces a new challenge. The spectre of urban development looms on the Seventh Concession and Walt sounds the alarm. Can he mobilize the neighbourhood to save the rustic splendor of Larkspur? Does Larkspur want to be saved? Wingfield is back at its side-splitting best in this sequel to Letter From Wingfield Farm.
Hilarious Canadiana. Visit www.chemainustheatrefestival.ca or call 1-800-565-7738 for more information.
“Pure comic gold.” The Toronto Star

CENTRAL VANCOUVER ISLAND

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HAZELWOOD HERB FARM

At Hazelwood Herb Farm, four sizable nurseries yield roughly 500 varieties of herbs on a scenic plot of land along Yellow Point Road, just north of Ladysmith. By mid-February shoots of sorrel, chives and loveage are already pushing through the earth. By summer, marshmallow plants will reach 10 feet and the fennel will need 12-foot stakes to keep it standing tall. Hazelwood Herb Farm opens April 1 each year and by June, herbs will be harvested to make jellies, chutneys, tea blends and spice rubs, eye creams and bath salts. Enduring favourites in Hazelwood’s product line are the frozen pesto and flavoured beer bread mixes (just add a bottle of brew and bake) available in the gift shop right through to Christmas.  www.hazelwoodherbfarm.com

YELLOWPOINT CRANBERRY FARM

Follow the Yellow Point Road to our family-run cranberry farm, located just outside of Ladysmith, British Columbia, and home of Cranberry Cottage Preserves.Come for a visit, take a tour of our upper fields and sample our homemade cranberry preserves. We produce over 20 specialty cranberry preserves from our farm fresh cranberries. From heirloom cranberry recipes to our fusion cranberry salsa, we offer a wide variety of cranberry concoctions for sale in our Cranberry Cottage Store. Our farm store, The Cranberry Cottage, is open seven days a week September-December  11:00-5:00 and Wednesday-Sunday May-August. www.yellowpointcranberries.com

KRIS KRINGLE KRAFT MARKET
NOVEMBER 18 - 21ST
PARKSVILLE COMMUNITY AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

Besides the wonderful shopping, the Kris Kringle Craft Market is a truly
Christmas Experience in the style of the Old World Celebration of Giving.
Wander though the show at a leisurely pace, visit with the crafters at their booths, drink in the mulled wine, savour the smoked salmon, relish the jams and jellies and nibble at the chocolates. Try on new outfits, jewellery, hats, scarves, belts and purses. Enjoy the wood, fabric, metal and woollen creations and toys.
Visit www.kriskringle.ca for more information

Gabriola Summer Art Tour
Summer Art Tours on Fridays, from 1 to 4 pm, in July and August

Summer Art Tours on Fridays, from 1 to 4 pm, in July and August
Thanksgiving Tour October 9-11 from 10am to 4pm
Wine tasting at Village Liquor Store on October 9 from 4:30 to 6 pm
This free self-guided tour of select studios through July & August will give you a taste of what is to come Thanksgiving weekend, when artists welcome visitors for the 14th annual Gabriola Studio Tour! Featuring more than 50 artists in 41 studios, this tour clearly demonstrates why Gabriola deserves its unique reputation as the “Isle of the Arts.” Our full-colour brochure with map is available online or in print and provides details about all of the studios open during both the summer and the Thanksgiving tours. For information visit www.gabriolaartscouncil.org

WEST VANCOUVER ISLAND

O’Neill Coldwater Classic 2010
Friday, October 15th, 2010
PROFESSIONAL SURFING CONTEST

One of the most highly anticipated surf events to hit the world surfing stage, the O’Neill Cold Water Classic (CWC) is gathering momentum. With four 6Star and one 4Star ASP World Qualifying Series (WQS) events exploring spectacular surf spots in the remote corners of the world, the CWC series will start in the wilds of Tasmania in March before heading to South Africa, Scotland, Canada and Santa Cruz. Pushing boundaries, delving into the unexplored with a sense of adventure and innovation that defines O’Neill - this is the Cold Water Classic Series launching in 2009.
Five events exploring the edges of the world over four continents.
Five challenging, quality waves all in extreme and not to mention cold conditions.
Five 6-star World Qualifying Series (WQS) events in rugged and unique natural locations.
Building on the iconic event in Santa Cruz, and the much lauded Highland Open in Scotland, O’Neill has added events in Tasmania, South Africa and Canada to make the O’Neill Cold Water Classic Series a huge and much welcomed addition to the world of surfing.

For details, visit: www.coldwaterclassiccanada.comride the next epic wave.