Activities
2012 Calendar of Events
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
16th Annual Historic Military Encampment
May 19 & 20
Bell tents and vintage military vehicles
© Parks Canada
Stroll through the fort amidst marquee and bell tents representing various periods from the 1850s to the 1950s. Admire equipment, uniforms and motor vehicles from Canada’s military past. You’ll be fascinated by the authenticity of the re-enactors, as they chat to you about life generations ago.
Yes BC Off-the-Grid Music Festival
May 25
What kind of a future do you want to see?
© Parks Canada
Guitars, drums, keyboards...Spotlights, microphones, amplifiers…Where is the power outlet?
On Friday May 25 from 4 to 7 pm, the main field of Fort Rodd Hill National Historic site will be the central stage for the 2012 Off-the-grid Music festival. The soundstage for this mega FREE concert, welcoming aspiring young musicians, will be powered up with the clean, green energy of human and solar power! Teenagers, students and their family are welcome.
For more information: www.offthegridfestival.ca.
4th Annual Island Chefs’ Collaborative Local Food Festival
June 10
The freshest local ingredients
© ICC /Taylor Kennedy
Participate in an amazing culinary celebration of foods and beverages produced locally by the people who work to “defend our backyard.” Talented chefs from throughout south Vancouver Island create a menu based on seasonal vegetables, fish and meat available locally. Discover a bounty of delicious products, hear about the challenges and successes of local producers, and discover the ecological and economic benefits of the “100 Mile Diet.”
Admission to Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites is included with the purchase of a ticket to the Island Chef’s Collaborative Local Food Festival.
For further information, contact foodfest@iccbc.ca.
Art and Wine Festival at the Fort
June 23
Local artists display their favourite piece
© Parks Canada
The Colwood Rotary Club presents a new festival featuring local arts and wines, as a fundraising event.
Canada Day Celebrations
July 1
Happy Birthday Canada!
© Parks Canada
Canada Day’s biggest birthday cake is always served at Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. Come celebrate Canada’s special day and join the excitement. Just clap your hands, or dance yourself silly to the live music throughout the day. Be a kid again, jump in and take part in all the fun activities. Enjoy the food and snacks at the concession, but remember to leave a bit of room for a piece of the HUGE cake.
NOTE: Admission and a piece of the HUGE cake is FREE!
9th Annual Vintage Cadillac Car Show
July 8
Chrome, fins and hood ornament
© Parks Canada
Join the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Cadillac Car Club of B.C. for Canada’s largest Cadillac show! With close to a hundred cars, the show offers every variety of this luxury marque: the sleek roadsters of the ´30s, the ´50s classics (all pastels, fins and chrome), ambulances, hearses, custom jobs, low-riders, and cutting-edge current models.
Take a hike! – on Parks Day
July 21
A fun walk for all
© Parks Canada
Lace up your hiking boots and celebrate Canada’s Parks Day by joining the Juan de Fuca Pathfinders Walking Club for a scenic 10 km ramble through the byways of Colwood. The walk finishes with a loop through Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, followed by a picnic with the club. This is an officially sanctioned Volkssport International event.
Medieval Village
August 17-24
Costumes and demonstrations
© Parks Canada
Travel through time and wake-up in the 14th century. Look, smell, listen…the Middles Ages are here. Stroll among the tents where armourers, weavers, carpenters, pewterers and calligraphers work with the tools and techniques of the era. The Pacific Association for Recreating the Middle Ages actors and members take pride in displaying their medieval dresses and attires. Let them show you their tools and creative masterpiece. Be inspired by their stories and join the entertainments.
Fab Forts
August 19
Bang! Boom! Kaboom!
© Parks Canada
Bang! Boom! Kaboom! The impenetrable walls of Fort Rodd Hill come to life with the biggest and loudest artillery salute of the summer. Experience the thunderous sounds, smells and sensations of World War II with the firing of authentic historic weapons. Keep all your senses alert, it’s not over... Admire the historic military vehicles on display, chill-out and enjoy live entertainment while the kids laugh as they test their skills on the inflatable obstacle course.
18th Annual English Car Affair in the Park
September 9
Behind the wheel
© Parks Canada
At 10 am precisely, the skirl of the pipes will herald the start of this very popular event. Over a hundred classic and vintage British automobiles will festoon Fort Rodd Hill’s open meadow. Sponsored by the Old English Car Club of BC, this event will delight connoisseurs and intrigue newcomers. Each year, vehicles of a selected marque are showcased under the streamers of the maypole.
Lantern Tour
September 22
The warmth of candlelight
© Mary Sansevarino
Grab your coats and step into time as Fort Rodd Hill opens its doors for an exclusive, after-dark guided tour. See the gun batteries by lantern light and eavesdrop on re-enactors in uniform going about the daily activities of garrison life. Take in the sights, sounds and smells of life at Rodd Hill during the period of 1897-1956. There may even be a few surprises along the way!