When the temperature rises in Victoria, you know summer festival season has arrived. It's time to buy your tickets and block off days in your calender:
ICC Food Fest, Sunday June 12: The Island Chefs' Collaborative annual fundraiser at Fort Rodd Hill in Colwood. The ICC is taking a slightly different approach this year, moving towards more food and more onsite cooking. This year's event will feature lamb, pork and chicken barbecues, as well as an entirely vegetarian tent, as well as a gluten free tent. The number of wineries, breweries and cideries represented this year is the highest ever. Funds raised support grants and micro loans for local farmers. Tickets available at Cook Culture, Charellie's, Niagara Grocery, Westshore Chamber of Commerce and online at www.iccbc.ca Little Piggy will be there.
Fernwood Bites, Sunday June 26: Come down to Fernwood Square for the most intimate of all the summer festivals. Local restaurants, wineries and breweries pack the square to raise funds for the Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group. Little Piggy will be there.
Taste Victoria, Thursday July 21: Over a 100 local wineries, as well as local restaurants and food purveyors, fill the Crystal Garden. Best thing about this event - air conditioning! Well, that and the great food and wine. Little Piggy will be there.
Feast of Fields, Sunday September 18: This is your last chance to get your fill for the season. This year's Feast of Fields will be held at Marley Farm in Saanichton. Proceeds support Farm Folk City Folk.
Eat Here Now, Sunday September 26: The Island Chef's Collaborative will be serving up salmon at this year's Eat Here Now, along with lots of other food and agricultural presenters. Little Piggy unfortunately will be missing this event because our baby is due September 30!