Rifflandia always a big boost for business in our region

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It’s become an icon of 21st century Greater Victoria, generating $7 million in economic impact and serving as a vanguard of emerging culture in our region.

Rifflandia, the music festival that put Vancouver Island on the international concert map, is preparing for its 2024 edition, Sept. 13-15, at the Matullia Lands in Rock Bay.

This year, The Chamber is partnering with Rifflandia to help build connections with our business community. More than 80% of the festival’s vendors, suppliers and crew are based in Greater Victoria. Rifflandia programs also encourage festival-goers to support local businesses in store and online.

The festival has grown over the years, showcasing many of our region’s top venues and offering a diverse experience. This year, organizers say the new location on the Matullia Lands in Rock Bay can accommodate up to 10,000 people.

Have your say on buskers in downtown Victoria

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Did you know that buskers who make downtown Victoria vibrant are regulated by the City of Victoria? Ensuring street performers are talented and entertaining is a great way to encourage people to go downtown, which benefits businesses in the area.

To make sure the plan is working as intended, the city is undergoing a review of its Street Entertainment Bylaw to improve the busking experience.

If you’ve been downtown this summer, you might have noticed buskers in several new locations. By taking part in an online survey, you can share your opinion on the “specific types of busking locations, sound-amplification at specific sites and strategies to enhance busking downtown, as well as the types of busking and related amenities buskers and the public would like to see, such as covered spaces with comfortable seating, accessible parking and food trucks nearby to create a dynamic downtown experience.”

The survey closes at noon on Aug. 31.

Pack the park for HarbourCats home opener June 7

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Few experiences top going to the ballpark to watch a game in-person.

Fans of the Victoria HarbourCats get their first chance to cheer on the home team next week at Wilson’s Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park. The H’Cats play the Wenatchee Applesox at 6:30 pm and the early forecast calls for sunny skies and a warm evening.

The team is hoping supporters take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the home stadium as a scheduling issue will prevent the HarbourCats from playing in Victoria if they make the playoffs.

“As you may be aware, the City of Victoria and the Canadian Football League have agreed to host a regular season football game at Royal Athletic Park on Aug. 31, featuring the BC Lions,” stated an email from the HarbourCats this morning. “Due to the apparent requirements for the stadium set-up (e.g., adding additional bleachers and grassing over the baseball infield), the HarbourCats have been advised we must end our use of Royal Athletic Park this summer following our final regular season game on Aug.7.”

This timing means no home playoff games later this summer.

The HarbourCats, who support the CFL playing in Victoria, said they are disappointed with the timing and hope to rally the community to sellout the stadium during the regular season.

For more information, go to harbourcats.com.

The Chamber is hosting an Emerge Connector at Wilson’s Group Stadium on June 27, as part of the HarbourCats game against the Port Angeles Lefties.

Canucks lift spirits, boost BC’s hospitality industry

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There’s still plenty of room for diehard fans as well as those new to the bandwagon.

The Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cup playoff run has been a pleasant experience for many of the province’s pubs and restaurants. In Greater Victoria, a number of Chamber members are supporting fans by showing games on their big screens. The Victoria Royals also announced that they will be opening Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre for a ticketed event allowing fans to watch the Canucks together.

“It’s hard to not get caught up in the excitement, even for folks who might not be the biggest hockey fans,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “The atmosphere at local establishments is fun and festive. Let’s hope the Canucks can keep it going all the way to the finals this year.”

BC’s Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport said the Canucks’ run is especially helpful at creating business during the weekdays.

Minister Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South, told CFAX that having the province’s home team in the playoffs is good for the economy while also boosting the spirits of their fans.

The Canucks are currently in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Their series against the Edmonton Oilers is tied at two wins each, with games set for Thursday, Saturday and Monday (if needed).

Chamber members showing Stanley Cup games

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