Hi there,
It's been a hot one so far. But staying cool isn't hard when you are in the Ladysmith and Cedar area. The biggest choice you'll have to make is ocean, lake, river or creek. From swimming a challenging river to a tranquil lake in the back country, you'll find it here.
Looking for more fun ideas? Check out our events calendar or visit the Ladysmith Visitor Info Centre 422 First Avenue. We hope that this edition of Play & Stay will give you some suggestions on things to with your visitors as what's happening in our local tourism industry.
A small amount of space is available for advertising in the e-news on a first come basis. Please contact us to request rates.
Email us your news and photos by August 10 to projects@take5.ca for the next edition!
Stay cool and play safe this summer - Marina Sacht
The Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce is pleased to confirm receiving official Visitor Information Centre status from Tourism BC
for the Visitor Centre at 411 B First Avenue downtown Ladysmith. The confirmation came on June 16 from Nancy Frederickson of Tourism BC.
The stats for May and June are down slightly but with the new status and the signage being put up they are hoping that will drive up the figures. The signage on the highway should be up soon. It will indicate that the Visitor Info Centre offers public washrooms, wheelchair accessibility and Internet access.
The new Visitor Centre status and signage will encourage more tourists to stop in town, perhaps stay longer and this will provide opportunity for the local merchants to capture more business.
Melody Smythies, Lauren Smythies, Caitlin Malli and Jacquie Chellew in front of the Ladysmith Visitor Information
The Ladysmith Tourism Advisory Committee welcomes Carleigh Randall in her new role as as Tourism Services Coordinator.
She has enjoyed exploring the Ladysmith area since relocating here in 2002 from up island. Her background in tourism is extensive and diverse, having worked with tourism operators on the ground and with VIU as an instructor and researcher. She has studied tourism and recreation management at VIU, Geography at UVIC, and is near completion of a PhD with the School of Commerce, Department of Tourism, University of Otago, New Zealand. She is very much looking forward to applying her experiences to the role of tourism services coordinator for the Ladysmith Tourism Advisory Committee. This role encompasses a focus on connecting with area businesses and associations as the TAC develops its tourism business development and education program. As well, a major emphasis is placed on linking with destination marketing organizations to capitalize on tourism marketing opportunities to promote
Ladysmith tourism.
The Ladysmith Tourism Advisory Committee and the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce would like to extend a thank you to all participants that attended our SuperHost workshop series. We would also like to express our appreciation to Island Savings Credit Union for sponsoring refreshments for the series. Feedback has
been great and we are pleased to be able to support Ladysmith area businesses that support tourism. The Tourism Advisory Committee is busy planning future tourism business development and education sessions, so keep your eyes open for these opportunities!
Ladysmith celebrates its rich heritage of musical talent in 2009 with the theme for Ladysmith Days: “Come Celebrate our Talent.”
An exhilarating annual event for 42 years, Ladysmith Celebration Days, which falls on the BC Day long weekend, August 1-2, is honouring its abundant pool of resident entertainers with an exciting line-up of musicians, singers, dancers and other talented entertainers.
A splendid list of activities kicks off in Downtown Ladysmith Saturday morning with a pancake breakfast followed by a parade, live music and entertainment and a BBQ steak dinner. On Sunday at Transfer Beach Park enjoy fireworks, arts and crafts shows, children’s games and activities, including the Ronald
MacDonald Sports Zone and kids’ kayaking, sand volleyball tournament and a horseshoe tournament. For a list of times and venues for events please consult the website.
Coronation Mall is the scene of many entertainers during the day on Fri. July 31. Starting at 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. there’s live entertainment with the Tina Jones Band.
This band, has a roster of talented musicians. The sound result is funky with a jazz influence nuance that satisfies the avid music lover, and gets people dancing with their R&B elements. Bring your chair to watch this internationally-known band.Sponsored by the merchants of Coronation Mall. Fundraising in support
of Tour de Rock.
Summer Fun!
Thursday Nite Live
Get set on Thursday evenings for music and a farmers’ market in downtown Ladysmith.
The music and market will move to a different spot each week, but they will all be downtown within a couple of blocks each Thursday.
Romance Explosion performs, July 23 you will be entertained by Cherry Coolaid and July 30 the Renovation Blues Band sets the tempo.
On August 6 Boco Loco, August 13 Gin Sing and the Lotus Blossoms, August 20 Gerry Barnum & Friends perform, and the last week, August 27 Boyco will be on stage.
The farmers’ market starts at 4 pm until 8 pm and the music will begin a little later. Get set for a great time listening to music and shopping downtown.
Concerts in the Park
Each Sunday in July and August Concerts in the Park takes place at the Amphitheatre in Transfer Beach Park, Ladysmith.
The lineup of music this year is amazing. July 26 features Gerry Barnum and Friends play soulful roots music and original tunes. Showtime is 6 pm-8pm each Sunday. By donation.
Naden Band and Ken Lavinge July 12 at Ampitheater. Photo: Rob Johnson
Life-long artist Janice Richards is the “artist of the month” at Ladysmith Waterfront Art Centre Gallery.
Richards works in acrylics, painting vibrant, colourful abstract work on canvas and cotton paper.
“For me personally, art is my language, I have been painting abstracts for 24 years,” said Richards. “I trained as a goldsmith for my first job, and I keep that essence of detail in my art.”
She is also a boat writer. This means she can do practically anything and fix almost anything on a boat – mainly sail boats. She also applies her skills as a goldsmith to a boat, such as details in wood, usually below decks.
Everything Richards does in her life is a work of art including her own heritage boat that she lives on.
“It’s a lifestyle that I love and it enables me to continue being an artist and not always scrambling for money. If I don’t like where I am, I just lift anchor and move somewhere else,” she said.
See Richards work at the gallery until July 31. After that she can be contacted through the gallery at 610 Oyster Bay Drive, Ladysmith Tel: 250-245-1252.
Janice Richards shows two pieces of her vibrant art.
- Story & Photo: Vera Soroka/TAKE 5
The 25th Annual Islands Folk Festival will be held this summer on the weekend of July 24-26 at Providence Farm, in Duncan. Folk Fest offers fun for the entire family! There is a large children’s area, arts and crafts, vendors, food, beverages, workshops, jamming, dancing, six stages, on-site camping and of course
non-stop music for everyone. A “Youth Showcase” Stage will be featured all Saturday afternoon presenting talented youth performers.
CONTEST Winner
Last month's contest winner was Tom Skarvig. A draw was held amongst the other correct entries. We asked: "What do powerboat owners call paddlers?" The answer is "Speedbumps".
Tom wins a one hour double kayak rental courtesy of Sealegs Adventures Kayaking, at Transfer Beach.
Simply email us your answer to this question.
www.take5.ca/index.php
The following events listings are an excerpt from TAKE 5. Please see the AUGUST 09 TAKE 5 for a complete calendar or visit our website.
Featured Events:
August Ladysmith Harbour Tours daily 10:30 am and 2 pm at Maritime Society docks. Call 250-245-2112 for times.
July 4- August 29, Oklahoma!, Chemainus Theatre, 1-800-565-7738 or 250-246-9820
July 23, Farmers Market in conjunction with Thursday Nite Live 4:30pm-7:30pm, 5:30-9pm
July 24, Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce 2nd Annual Golf Tournament at Cottonwood Golf Club. Registration and fun starts at 12:30pm. To book your team call 250-245-2112
July 24-26, 25th Annual Islands Folk Festival, Providence Farm, Duncan email islandff@telus.net, 250-748-3975
July 26 6pm-8pm, Concerts in the Park, “ Gerry Barnum & Friends”-Soulful Roots, Original Tunes band, 250- 245-3079,
July,30 Farmers Market in conjunction with TNL 4:30pm-7:30pm,Thursday Nite Live 5:30-9pm
For a complete listing of events visit us online or pick up a print edition of TAKE 5!
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