tofino whale festival - pacific rim whale festival calendar of events

Tofino Whale festival calendar of events 2010

March 6-14, 2010

With a significant focus on marine ecosystems and coastal life education, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the continued protection and annual return of migrating Pacific grey whales to the coastal waters of the communities of Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. An estimated 20,000 grey whales make the journey each year from the Baja Peninsula's breeding and calving lagoons in Mexico toward their summer feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas near the Arctic. The migrating grey whales join resident grey whales, orcas, humpbacks and the occasional minke that can be seen in the Pacific Northwest waters any time of year.

Marking the official opening of the area's prime whale watching season, The Pacific Rim Whale Festival includes a variety of cultural, culinary, musical, family-friendly and educational events.

Pacific Rim Whale Festival 2010 Calendar of Events

There are very few events that require pre-purchased tickets for admission, but for those that do, tickets are available at the following fine establishments:

Tofino: Mermaid Tales Bookshop, Tofino Sea Kayaking and Groovy Movie

Ucluelet: Wild Heather Books and Image West Gallery & Gifts

This symbol signifies a Button Event. Pacific Rim Whale Festival Buttons come at a suggested a minimum donation of $2 each. Buttons are available at most events, or at local Visitor Info Centres and most whale watching operators around our towns. Show your button for Free Admission to the majority of our calendar events.

Note that if you enter and use Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (prnpr) you may be required to show your park pass. Passes can be obtained at Info Centres, the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre and some parking lots. If you are attending educational programs at Green Point Campground Theatre there is no fee in place, just let the kiosk staff know that you are going to the Theatre.

Ongoing Events during the Pacific Rim Whale Festival

Artists in Action

Various Locations
Mar 6-14 10am-4pm

Artists In Action - catch West Coast artists in the act... of art! See page 26 for details)

ArtSplash! PRAS Art Show

Harbour Lounge
Weigh West Resort, Tofino
Mar 6-14 10am-6pm

The Pacific Rim Arts Society's annual community art show is back! Local artists working in mediums from painting to fibre works, photography to clay and wood to silver are set to exhibit their wares. Come and view original artworks and purchase a favorite piece to take with you.

Marine Documentary

Remote Passages, Tofino
at the Boathouse
March 6-14, 2010 @ 10:15am-2pm

Marine-based, educational and documentary films suitable for all ages.

Westcoast Passport to Adventure

Info Centres & Jamies
March 6-14, 2010

On your own time all throughout Whale Festival, visit participating locations to answer quirky & educational interpretive questions and collect prwfs Stamps to enter the draw for great prizes. Complete your Answer Sheet and enter the draw to win a grand prize at Closing Day Celebrations! Passports available at any Info Centre or either Jamie's Whaling Station & Adventure Centre.

Up Close and Personal

Ucluelet Mini Aquarium
Waterfront Promenade
Daily 10am - 7pm
$5 adults /$3 kids (4-16 yrs)
FREE under 4 yrs

Get your hands wet in the touch tanks with hungry seastars, sideways sand dollars, bright sea anemones, cool crabs, incredible fish and more! Guest interpreters and special activities! Visit with the undersea critters of Clayoquot Sound & Barkley Sound (including a giant pacific octopus!), which are exhibited - and then later released - back into the wild; all from our own backyard! Curiosity welcome & questions encouraged, for ages 1-101! Open daily 10am-6pm from now on for the season! No admission for Opening Day Saturday, March 6 only.

Media Lounge Multi Media Gallery

The Shore/Ocean Outfitters
Tofino
Sunday to Thursday 10am-6pm

Time to press the rewind, pause, or play buttons at the Media Lounge. Listen to the whales, watch Canadiana short-films, indulge your senses in the works of world-class artists, or just put up your feet and catch a breath from the festival fury. Maybe you want to be more active and shoot your own movie, sound or photo and upload it to the festival's Youtube and Flickr websites accessible here? But don't forget... the Feature Presentation "Live" is on Thursday Night (7-10:30pm), where you can experience the behind-the-scene adventures of photographer, Matt Maran, be part of Randy Celebrini's live painting, and listen to Esther Celebrini 's live jazz performance. Official Whale Festival Merchandise available here too!

14th Annual Gala Dinner & Auction

Wickaninnish Inn, Tofino
Thursday, March 4, 2010 @ 6pm
Tix $110 - limited capacity!
Call Rachelle 1.800.333.4604

Presenting outstanding multiple course cuisine, wine pairings and West Coast treasures for auction. 100% of the funds raised go directly to the Pacific Rim Whale Festival Society.

Pancake Breakfast

Tofino Fire Hall
Second St & Campbell St
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 8-10am
Tickets at the event: $TBA

Pancakes, sausages & syrup, juice & coffee. Mmm-mm-mm - an affordable & fund-raising way to kick off the week, and to get ready to watch the Parade roll by. Thank you to the Tofino Volunteer Fire Brigade.

Ucluelet Aquarium Season Opening

Ucluelet Mini Aquarium
Waterfront Promenade
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 10am-6pm

Free admission on Opening Day. Drop by and check out the Aquariums new line up for the 2010 season. Face painting from 2-3pm, get your hands wet in the touch tanks with hungry seastars, sideways sand dollars, bright sea anemones, cool crabs, incredible fish and more! Open daily throughout the festival.

Parade of Whales and Wonders

Begins Wick School, Tofino
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 10am

Come and bring your pets, favourite dolls, or outrageous costumes or float and join us in the parade! Watch for annual favourite features and some new surprises. Parade ends downtown where more activities will unravel... Meet at Wickaninnish School at 9:40 to participate in the line-up! Pet & Doll Parade generously sponsored by Tofino Co-op.

Fire-fighter SpoutBall Challenge

Tennis Courts Tofino
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 11:30am

Local Ucluelet & Tofino Volunteer Fire Brigades go head to head in a costumed challenge. If you haven't seen this before, it's a must-see in the quirky department, and high on adrenaline. Stick around downtown after the Parade to catch SpoutBall. Losers treat the winners to the Chowder Chowdown! The tradition continues...

SCUBA Diving Introduction

West Coast Motel Pool, Ukee
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 1pm

The diving in Barkley & Clayoquot Sounds is world class! Let dive master Andy show you the introductory ropes of scuba diving with full gear provided, and a safe indoor pool environment to immerse yourself into the underwater world - from a whale's eye view! Bring your underwater cameras if you like and be prepared for about 3 hours total. Suitable for most ages.

Children's Book Launch

Clayoquot Field Stn, Tofino
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 2pm

With Elin Kelsey, author of Hey! Not Your Typical Book About The Environment. It's written from a hopeful perspective. This book celebrates the amazing connections between the ordinary things in kids' lives.

Crepe Night

Common Loaf, Tofino
Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 7-9pm

No advance tickets required-come as you are! This is an all-ages fundraising evening where the feature is the food!

Winter Wave Photo Showdown

Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet
Saturday, March, 2010 @ 6 7-9pm

An Exhibition Competition for the Best Winter Wave Photos! This is an informal opportunity to come out and view some of the best winter stormwatching photography on the West Coast. All of the photos that will appear in the Showdown have been taken right here along our coastline between Ucluelet and Tofino.

Whales & Tales Boat Adventure

Ocean Outfitters, Tofino
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @ 10am or 1pm
$79 Call 250.725.2866

With naturalist Peter Shulze of Strawberry Island Marine Research Society. Come onboard for an exciting 2.5 hour adventure where our captain & guide takes you into Clayoquot Sound in search wildlife.

14th Annual Chowder Chowdown

Seaplane Base Rec Hall, Ukee
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @ 11am-2pm
Adults: $10 Kids $5
Family (up to 4 kids) $25

Sample the best of the Pacific Northwest from Tofino & Ucluelet chefs! Gourmet secrets, mom & pop specials, traditional family recipes. Have a taste of up to 12 samples and favour your flavour.

Whale Watching Station

Amphitrite Point Lighthouse
& Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @ 2:30-4:30pm

Join naturalists from the Raincoast Education Society, Ucluelet Aquarium, Long Beach Nature Tours and Parks Canada for interactive land-based viewing through spotting scopes & the eyes of history from this traditional whale-spotting point on the peninsula.

Watching Giants: Life of Whales

Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet
Sunday, March 7, 2010 @ 7pm

This presentation with special guest and author Elin Kelsey will allow you to better appreciate whales, and social relationships & whale 'culture'. Her presentation stems from her book, which consists of short essays focused on amazing aspects of whale behaviour or biology.

Meares Island Big Trail Guided Hike

Ocean Outfitters, Tofino
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 11am or 2pm
$49 adults/$20.10 kids special Whale Festival rates!
To reserve 250.725.2866

Choose from 2 departure times! The legendary trail begins as a boardwalk leading you past many features of special interest to the Hanging Garden Tree, which has a circumference of 18.3 meters and a height of 42.7 meters!

Sea Otters: From 0-3000 in 35 years

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 11am-12pm
With marine biologist Josie Osborne.

The last sea otter in bc was killed in the 1920s, after 150 years of lucrative commercial hunting. 35 years ago, 89 sea otters were reintroduced to the west coast of Vancouver Island, and today there are over 3,000 in BC.

Beach Seining Specimen Collecting

Terrace Beach, Ucluelet
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 1pm

With Ucluelet Aquarium interpreters & biologist friends. What is seining, you ask? Join Ucluelet Aquarium curator Dave Hurwitz 'in his shoes' for an actual Aquarium-bound specimen collection from Terrace Beach. Oh! The life in our own backyard! A net, chest waders, some biologist friends, and you! Dave will be joined by Ucluelet Aquarium staff for some seining fun. All ages welcome!

Species at risk

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 1pm

With Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council Fisheries biologist Katie Beach. The Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations rely on sea resources for food, economic and spiritual needs. This presentation will outline some of the local species that are now listed under the Species at Risk Act, their cultural significance, and some of the activities that Nuu-chah-nulth and Uu-a-thluk have developed to take care of those species.

Whale Quest Tofino Grey Whale ID

Remote Passages, Tofino
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 2pm

Kids get to know local whales in print & paint! When researchers watch whales, they often know 'who's who'- now you can too! Learn how researchers id grey whales, and what this can tell them about the life histories of these fascinating, friendly whales. Pre-register at 250.725.3330.

All-You-Can-Eat Dessert Reception

UAC Hall, Ucluelet
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 7-9pm
Advance tickets only
$10 adults/$5 kids 12 & under

An evening of decadence; featuring favourites from the recipe archives from up and down the coast. All-you-can-eat desserts, people's choice awards, and more. Musical guests progressive acoustic folk duet Smalltown Empire!

Monday Night Movie

Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 8pm
$5 minimum donation

Julian Lennon's Whale Dreamers. Be inspired. Don't miss out on this inspiring documentary that brings about a timely message of hope and opens our eyes with rich narrative, breathtaking images, and a reminder of what it means for people to reconnect with their culture, the natural world and each other!

Wild Pacific Trail Discovery Walk

He-Tin-Kis Park
Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 8:30-9:30am

Meet 'Oyster Jim' Martin who will take you on a guided walk on & off the Wild Pacific Trail each day. Hikers from last year's B-Bop Walks came away with wonderful footage spotting migrating whales from the trail. This is a once-a-year opportunity to experience the trail with the visionary behind its existence!

Whales & Tales Boat Adventure

Ocean Outfitters, Tofino
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 10am or 1pm
$79 Call 250.725.2866

With naturalist Peter Shulze of Strawberry Island Marine Research Society Come onboard for an exciting 2.5 hour adventure where our captain & guide takes you into Clayoquot Sound in search wildlife.

Button Artist Celebration

Eagle Aerie Gallery, Tofino
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 10am

Come join Roy Henry Vickers in recognizing and celebrating the young local artists behind this year's Festival Buttons! View Collections of past years and celebrate local budding talent. Storytelling event will follow.

Storytelling with Roy Henry Vickers

Eagle Aerie Gallery, Tofino
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 11am

Renowned First Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers intimately shares personal stories of coastal life and inspirations, in his own longhouse gallery.

Jewels of the Emerald Sea

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 11am

With Parks Canada marine biologist Jenn Yakimishyn. Dive into the Emerald Sea to learn more about the diversity of fish and invertebrates that live in the coastal Pacific Rim and how Parks Canada monitors this subtidal realm.

Sand Dune Safari

Wickaninnish Beach
Parking lot C, PRNPR
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 1pm

Come walk into a world you may have never seen on the west coast of Vancouver Island. You thought the drive here to the coast was wild, now try the moonscape of the prnpr sand dunes. Learn about the history of the dunes, their formation and the hardy inhabitants that call the dunes home.

Mudflat Interpretive Walk

Tofino Botanical Gardens
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 2-3pm
Adults: $10 Students $6
Kids 12 & under FREE
includes 3-day TBG Pass

The Tofino Mudflats are more than just mud; they're one of the little-known jewels of Clayoquot Sound. Thousands of migrating shorebirds depend on these mudflats, and migrating grey whales use them too! Come down to the Tofino Botanical Gardens and join marine biologist Josie Osborne for a 60 minute exploration of the Tofino Mudflats.

Sea Creature Cookie Creators

Common Loaf, Tofino
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 2-4pm
Kids accompanied by the young at heart; come down to the bakeshop and decorate your own sea creature cookies to take home and show off... or gobble up!

Fantastic Flippers! Sea Lions

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Tuesday, March, 2010 @ 9 3pm

Local marine mammal biologist Wendy Szaniszlo will be giving a talk on sea lions of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds and an overview of sea lion research she's been involved in.

Slideshow & Stories

w. author Bob Kull
Wild Heather Books, Ukee
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 7pm

In 2001 the author began an intense vision quest in deep wilderness solitude on the remote Pacific coast of southern Chile. Through masterful storytelling, beautiful photographic images, humor, and fierce honesty, Bob shares his journey of wilderness survival.

5th Annual Literary Spout-off

Darwin's Cafe
Tofino Botanical Gardens
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 @ 7:00-9pm

The 5th annual WhaleFest Literary Spout-Off, featuring story, poem, rumination and rant as West Coast authors expound upon this year's theme: Water. Open mic as time allows.

Blessing of the Boats

First Street Dock, Tofino
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 9:30am

Sail-past parade procession to bless the 2010 season's whale watching boats & community fleet with Reverend Joan Scandrett. The ceremony will feature a guest blessing, with demonstration & participation from the Canadian Coastguard, rcmp and the Tonquin Foundation.

Naturalist Tour by Boat!

Subtidal Adventures, Ukee
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 10am-1pm
$79 Reserve: 250.726.7336

Join local naturalist and marine mammal researcher Wendy Szaniszlo for a fun-filled research trip in Barkley Sound. We will be travelling by zodiac with Brian Congdon, a former Park Warden of prnpr who has been conducting local tours for over 30 years.

Storytelling with Roy Henry Vickers

Eagle Aerie Gallery, Tofino
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 11am

Renowned First Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers intimately shares personal stories of coastal life and inspirations, in his own longhouse gallery.

Meares Island Big Tree Guided Hike

Ocean Outfitters, Tofino
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 11am or 2pm
Adults: $49 Kids:$20.10
Reserve @ 250.725.2866

Pacific Coast Marine Conservation Areas

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 11am

Join Parks Canada staff member Megumi Johns to learn about National Marine Conservation Areas of Canada - what they are and what they hope to achieve - and about two exciting Pacific coast initiatives underway in Gwaii Haanas (Queen Charlotte Islands) and the southern Strait of Georgia (southern Gulf Islands).

The Comeback of the Humpback

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 1pm

Come discover the exciting comeback of the humpback with Caitlin Birdsall, research assistant with the BC Cetacean Sightings Network at the Vancouver Aquarium. Humpback whale populations were significantly reduced by commercial whaling throughout the 20th century, but numbers have been steadily increasing since. This multi-media presentation will allow audiences to listen to their songs, be awed by their acrobatics and discover how British Columbia's residents and visitors can help research and protect humpback whales.

Whale's Eye View: SCUBA Diving Intro

West Coast Motel pool, Ukee
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 1pm

Workshop for Marine & Aquatic Educators

Clayoquot Field Stn, Tofino
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 2-5pm
Pre-register: 604.659.3492
or eriko.arai@vanaqua.org

This workshop will examine tools and strategies for developing evaluation programs that work for us as educators in both formal and non-formal settings. We will explore recent resources that support educational program evaluation, and apply them to participant programs.

Killer Whales: Recent Research

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 3pm

Discover the fascinating killer whale! Once misunderstood and unpopular along the coast of British Columbia, the killer whale is now one of the best studied and most revered marine mammals in Canada.

Martini Migration: Feathers

Tofino Community Hall
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 7:00-midnight
Advance tickets : $45

5th Annual Skyy Vodka & Hendrick's Gin Cocktail Competition. Music by Tofitian, and live performance special guests Current Swell. Local mixologists compete for the title of the best Whale Festival Martini & decorated booth. Shake, stir and vote for your version of the best coastal martini, and the most festivalized costumes in attendance! Dress for the theme: Feather's Fur & Fins!

Slideshow & Stories

w. author Bob Kull
Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 @ 8pm
Adults: $5

Wild Pacific Trail Discovery Walk

He-Tin-Kis Park
Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 8:30-9:30am

Feathers & Flukes Boat Tour

Remote Passages, Tofino
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 9am-noon
$84 Reserve: 250.725.3330

It's the perfect time of year for an exciting adventure where our guides take you touring into stretching inlet waters and along the outer coast of Clayoquot Sound seeking coastal and inlet birds and migrating grey whales all in one experience!

Life on the Beach

Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 11am

Jim Cosgrove, a Research Associate at the Royal British Columbia Museum, will be presenting a slide show and talk about the intertidal environment of British Columbia and explain how plants and animals deal with the many changes in their daily lives.

Cedar Weaving Workshop

UAC Hall, Ucluelet
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 12noon

With First Nations weavers Rose Wilson, Molly Haipee & friends. Make a take-home cedar creation using traditional techniques and learn about the history, preparation and uses of this coastal art form.

The Giant Pacific Octopus

Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1pm

Jim Cosgrove, a Research Associate at the Royal British Columbia Museum and an acknowledged world expert on the giant Pacific octopus, will be presenting a slide show and talk about his 35 years of research into the life history of this fascinating animal.

Ucluelet Maritime Kids Day

Seaplane Base Rec Hall, Ukee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 1-4pm

Activities for all ages! We're very excited to host the Vancouver Aquarium AquaVan, gumboot painting with the Raincoast Education Society, Bamfield Marine Science Centre science fun galore, recycled crafts for kids, live concert with The Kerplunks at 3pm, snack booth, 'The Bone Throne', photos with Knuckles the Whale and more!

The Keplunks Free Concert

Seaplane Base Rec Hall, Ukee
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3-4pm

Fun & funky! Educational and outrageously engaging 4 piece live band including stand-up bass, drums and horns! Nominated for a 2009 Juno for Children's Album of the Year!

An Interactive Discovery Dive

Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 3pm

The Live Dive is a new innovative way to explore the subsea, and is brought to you using new technology over the Internet! Two divers, a naturalist and a videographer and their support team in Barkley Sound connect directly with the Clayoquot Theatre audience and their in-house naturalist to make this discovery dive together.

Seagrass Meadows: Fish Magnets!

UAC Hall, Ucluelet
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 4pm

Join Dr. Cliff Robinson as he leads you on a visual journey describing the wide diversity of fishes found in southern Clayoquot Sound and Barkley Sound eelgrass meadows, and discusses some of threats facing these vital ecosystems.

Coastal Sensory Experience

The Shore/Ocean Outfitters
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7-10:30pm
Admission: $5 at the door

Listen to the whales, watch Canadiana short-films, indulge your senses in the works of world-class artists, or just put up your feet and catch a breath from the festival fury. Maybe you want to be more active and shoot your own movie, sound or photo and upload it to the festival's Youtube and Flickr websites.

Barnacle Blues: David Gogo Live!

Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet
Thursday, March 11, 2010 @ 7pm
Tickets: $45 at the door

An fun and fund-raising evening of music starting with local opening act Left at the Junction. Featuring an immersion into the musical talent of acclaimed musician David Gogo and his 4-piece band - bring your dancing shoes! Raffle-style auction with lots of amazing prizes; includes gourmet savouries & 2 drink tickets.

Whales & Tales: Boating Adventure

Ocean Outfitters, Tofino
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 10am or 1pm
$79 Reserve: 250.725.2866

Come onboard for an exciting 2.5 hour adventure with naturalist Peter Shulze of Strawberry Island Marine Research Society, where our captain & guide takes you into Clayoquot Sound in search wildlife which could include whales, black bears, seals, sea lions, puffins, sea otters, bald eagles (aerie too!) and inevitably miles of gorgeous coastline and beaches. An amazing daytrip for all ages with an informative & engaging guide! Partial proceeds to local research efforts.

Storytelling with Roy Henry Vickers

Eagle Aerie Gallery, Tofino
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 11am

Renowned First Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers shares personal stories of coastal life & inspirations, in his longhouse gallery. He will be releasing Limited Edition prints and Roy will be available for signing after the storytelling. Everyone welcome!

Skeletons in our Closets

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 11am

You have a skeleton and it serves many functions but what about other animals? Does a Grey Whale, earthworm, jellyfish or butterfly have a skeleton? Jim Cosgrove, a Research Associate at the Royal British Columbia Museum, will be presenting a slide show and talk about skeletons in general and then focus on the development of skeletons in cephalopods: the nautilus, cuttlefish, squid and octopus as well as some extinct forms.

Interactive All-ages Workshop

Seaplane Base Rec Hall, Ukee
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 1pm

Swarms extreme drumming captivates and involves the participants with funky invented instruments, passionate performers and powerful energizing music. A great interactive lead-up to their evening performance at 7pm!

Tofino Maritime Kids Day

Tofino Community Hall
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 1-4pm

Activities for all ages! We're very excited to host the Vancouver Aquarium AquaVan, gumboot painting with the Raincoast Education Society, Bamfield Marine Science Centre science fun galore, recycled crafts for kids, live concert with The Kerplunks at 3pm, snack booth, photos with Knuckles the Whale and more! All ages welcome.

The Keplunks Free Concert

Tofino Community Hall
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 3-4pm

Fun & funky! Educational and outrageously engaging 4 piece live band including stand-up bass, drums and horns! Nominated for a 2009 Juno for Children's Album of the Year! We are so excited to host them again! All ages welcome.

Marine Mammal Research

Green Point Theatre, PRNPR
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 3pm

Grey whales, humpback whales and sea lions, oh my! Why are these and other marine mammals in bc listed as at-risk? Join marine mammal biologist Wendy Szaniszlo in a presentation on the marine mammal monitoring and research programs she's locally involved in.

Casual Coffee & Book Signing

Wild Heather Books, Ukee
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 4pm

As a scientist, Jim continues his research into the life histories of the octopuses and squids of British Columbia, and as an author he has written, is happy to talk about, and sign copies of Super Suckers: The Giant Pacific Octopus and other Cephalopods of the Pacific Coast.

Saving the Gray Whale in Baja

Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Friday, March 1, 2010 @ 2 7pm
Admission at the door: $5.

People, Politics and Conservation in Baja California: Join special guest Serge Dedina for an engaging presentation. He discovered the plans by the Mitsubishi Corporation to transform Laguna San Ignacio, a gray whale calving lagoon and unesco world heritage site in Mexico into an industrial salt harvesting facility and helped to defeat the project.

Swarm: HyperKinetic Percussion

Seaplane Base Rec Hall, Ukee
Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 7pm
Adults: $10 Kids:$5
Family of 4 pass $25

Swarm, the hyper-kinetic percussion troupe jumps into action with their fusion of original rhythms, ingeniously created instruments, and hyper-kinetic choreography.

Gourmet Local Food Breakfast

UAC Hall, Ucluelet
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 8-10am
Tickets at the event: $10

Local Food Breakfast with the Ucluelet Community Food Initiative & Ucluelet Volunteer Fire Brigade. A great way to celebrate together - with some locally sourced and deeelicious breakfast foods! Not your average community fundraising breakfast - come find out why and support 3 local community groups all at the same time.

Wild Pacific Trail Section Opening!

Meet at He-Tin-Kis Park
Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 9:30am

There's a new stretch of trail that the wpts is proud to officially cut the ribbon on! Come on down and support this local treasure, and join in the Rainforest Program on the Trail at 10am after the Grand Opening!

Recipe for a Rainforest Family

Meet at He-Tin-Kis Park
Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
Saturday, March 1, 2010 @ 3 10am-11am

Our backyard is a lush coastal temperate rainforest, complete with rain, large coniferous trees with moss-laden branches, nurse logs and much, much more! Discover some of the 'ingredients' that make this ecosystem so unique.

Casual Coffee & Book Signing

Wild Heather Books, Ukee
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 11am-12:30pm
Alanna Mitchell is an award-winning Canadian journalist and author of Sea Sick: The Global Ocean In Crisis. Her literary non-fiction wins praise for its ability to describe complex ideas in plain language.

Storytelling with Roy Henry Vickers

Eagle Aerie Gallery, Tofino
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 11am

Renowned First Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers intimately shares personal stories of coastal life and inspirations, in his own longhouse gallery.

Traditional Cedar Weaving Workshop

The Tofino Legion
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 12noon

First Nations weavers Rose Wilson, Molly Haipee & friends-make a take-home cedar creation using traditional techniques and learn about the history, preparation and uses of this coastal art form.

Annual Rubber Fish Race

Thornton Creek Hatchery
Port Albion
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 2pm
$3 each or $5 for 2 racing fish

Sponsor racing rubber fish & prepare them for their race down the falls! Come join the folks at the hatchery for some refreshments, tour the hatchery and the watch the race. Win prizes for more than just winning! Place bets on your Community Fish, Corporate Fish or Personal Racing Fish

Sea Sick: The Ocean in Crisis

Clayoquot Theatre, Tofino
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 4pm
Admission at the door: $5.

Alanna Mitchell is a journalist who worked for daily newspapers, including The Globe & Mail, for 14 years and then quit to devote herself to writing books about popular science. Her latest is Sea Sick: The Global Ocean in Crisis, which came out last year and has become an international bestseller.

Concert with Headwater

Black Rock Resort, Ucluelet
Saturday, March 13, 2010 @ 8pm
Admission $10 at the door
Volunteers in their PRWF shirts get in FREE!

Live Acoustic Music & Whale Fest Volunteer Appreciation Event! Hearing Headwater is like listening to the West Coast of Canada in song. Freewheeling, fierce, sentimental and sexy, the Vancouver, bc, quartet has earned its reputation as one of the finest acoustic roots groups around.

SurfRider Beach Clean-Up

MacKenzie Beach, Tofino
Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 9:30-10:30am

SurfRider Foundation Ocean Conservation Beach Clean-Up. A great way to start the closing day; walk the beach and give her some love! Hosted by SurfRider Foundation Pacific Rim Chapter. Everyone welcome!

I Heart Whale! Aerial Art Project

MacKenzie Beach, Tofino
Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 10:30am

Everyone welcome! we'll need lots of people! Come on down! Orchestrated by the Pacific Rim Whale Festival Society, there will be a large-scale image created on MacKenzie beach using people as the medium. The goal is to create a formation that can be photographed from the air that expresses to that world that "We Love Whales"!

Tug-O-Whale Competition

MacKenzie Beach, Tofino
Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 11:15am

Tug-O-Whale: A Competition Tradition. Who will win the coveted Bone of Contention this year? Witness challenges between community District office teams and other groups like visitors vs locals; you can even contact the Festival to enter your own team challenge! Encouraged for all ages!

Closing Day Celebration

Tin Wis Resort, Tofino
Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 12-1pm

Official Pacific Rim Whale Festival Closing ceremony.

Traditional Lunch

Tin Wis Resort, Tofino
Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 1-3:30pm
$5 / Volunteers free.

Everyone welcome to a community gathering to share local First Nations culture through story, dance, song, local art & history.

Whale Dip!

MacKenzie Beach, Tofino
Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 4pm

Inspired by the energy of our volunteer coordinator Danielle Hiscock, why not take the plunge into the salty sea to welcome the whales and springtime alike here on Canada's western-most shore!

Tofino festivals

Tofino Film Festival: February 17-20, 2016
Pacific Rim Whale Festival: March 12-27, 2016
Artsplash PRAS Art Show: March 12-20, 2016
Tofino Shorebird Festival: April 29 - May 1, 2016
Feast! Tofino-Ucluelet: May 6-22, 2016
Clayoquot Island Open House: May 21-22, 2016
Tofino Public Market: May - September, 2016
Tofino Food & Wine Festival: June 3-5, 2016
Pacific Rim Summer Festival: June 30 - July 9, 2016
Ukee Days: July 22-24, 2016
Tofino Lantern Festival: August 14, 2016
Tofino Beer Festival: September 26, 2015
Queen of the Peak: September 30 - October 2, 2016
Tofino Oyster Festival: November 17-19, 2016
Tofino Winter Celebration Artisan Festival: Dec. ?, 2016
West Coast Winter Music: Nov. 2, 2015 - April 2, 2016

Tofino Artist Studio Tour: March 17-19, 2009
Tofino Art in the Garden: September 8 & 9, 2009
Westcoast Maritime Festival: September 22-28, 2009

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Pacific Rim Whale festival in Tofino, Ucluelet and the Pacific Rim National Park presents events, entertainment and educational activities.