Tofino Time - September in Tofino

September in Tofino

Fall is in the air and now is the time that Tofino transitions from a tourist destination to a West Coast community once again. Here's what's happening this month:

The Art Express is coming to Art in the Garden on Saturday Sept 8th! The Art Express is "art fun, on the run:" a magical conversion of a school bus into a mobile children's art studio. The Art Express shares the view with the world that each child is unique. Owners Michael Bray and Katherine Mann encourage the originality in children to come alive in their funky art bus where kids experience their own creative powers in a fun, helpful and exciting environment. A sampling of the confirmed participants of the festival are; musicians Bill Morrison and Wayne Vlie, Tofino weaver Christine Johnson ,Wood turner Gael Duchen, artist Marla Thirsk , The Clayoquot Sound Writers Group ...and many more.

Wickaninnish Inn Pro Am Tofino Golf Tournament

On Friday, September 14, the golf course will host the annual Wickaninnish Inn Pro-Am. This event is a team competition in which professionals from Island and Mainland golf courses team up with local golfers. This year, according to Long Beach head professional Keith Gibson, we expect to have 100 competitors in the charity tournament. In the last five years this tourney has managed to raise money for the Athletics Department of Ucluelet Secondary School, and hopes to exceed $30,000 in contributions to this cause by this year.

Tin Wis Traditional BBQ

Sunday Sept 16th will be an evening of First Nations traditions and celebrations. Tin Wis is offering a beachfront event complete with a traditional First Nations salmon barbecue. Enjoy wine tasting venues featuring Cherry Point and Nk'Mip wines. The First Nation dancers Le La La will be performing from 6:30pm and there will be traditional storytelling. Included in the evenings events will be local artisans with their crafts offered. Tickets are $25 per person, contact Marion Ann Berry 725-4445 ext 354 for more information.

Wet your lips with the tastiest ales, hops and lagers on the West Coast while enjoying a barbecue and unbelievable live music at the second annual Tofino Beer Festival on Saturday Sept 29th. Wander from booth to booth tasting the best ales the pacific northwest has to offer. Breweries will include Vancouver Island Brewery, Light house, Phillips, Canoe Club, Fat Cat, Longwood Brew Pub, Grandville Island, Tree Beer, Okanagan Springs and Pacific Western. Beer Festival tickets and Recovery breakfast. Tickets go on sale Sept 1st at the Dockside Pub for $30.

Cops for Cancer

On September 29th and 30th the Cop For Cancer Tour de Rock will be coming to the west coast on their 10th Anniversary tour. Over 15 days the Cops For Cancer Tour de Rock team will cycle 1000 kilometers from Port Alice to Victoria, seeking fundraising support from the 27 communities they will visit. The officers work together with their local community to help the Canadian Cancer Society, BC and Yukon Division to raise money to fund pediatric cancer research and programs for children and families living with cancer. With donations from the Cops For Cancer tours, the Canadian Cancer Society is able to fund research to improve the detection and diagnosis of childhood cancers, devise better treatments with fewer side effects and possibly prevent cancer from developing. Such research is the key to the Society's vision of a future where no Canadian fears cancer. Considering each year in Canada, about 1300 children develop cancer and about 210 die of the disease, more funds and awareness are vital. Anyone wishing to help Duncan and the Canadian Cancer Society with fundraising efforts is encouraged to contact Kristi at 724-5747 or kdobson@bc.cancer.ca.