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North Saanich Jubilee Flavour Trail this weekend

The Flavour Trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and experience Saanich Peninsula food and agriculture.

NORTH SAANICH — Come out and celebrate the North Saanich Jubilee on the annual North Saanich Flavour Trail and Wine Fest over the weekend of August 21 to 23. The Flavour Trail offers residents and visitors the opportunity to explore and experience Saanich Peninsula food and agriculture — and have fun!

The Flavour Trail tours start on Saturday morning with the dedication of Jubilee Park and a pancake breakfast, followed by the official opening at North Saanich Farm Market at 9:30 a.m.

The annual rural ramble offers participants a diverse choice of 16 venues to visit over the two-day event. Discover how to grow oranges and lemons in your own backyard — and make home-grown marmalade! Learn about growing your own vegetables and saving seeds or how to make a salad from edible flowers in your garden.

Watch an exciting sheep dog herding demonstration. Relax and have a cuppa with fresh scones and home-crafted strawberry jam. Wander through an historic church at the edge of the Salish Sea and hear stories from the past in its old cemetery. Experience a rural farmers’ market. Visit a lavender farm or picnic by the Salish Sea.

North Saanich wines are a feature of this year’s Flavour Trail. The weekend begins with the a toe-tappin‘ barbecue at Muse Winery Friday night, August 21, beginning at 6 p.m.

On Saturday night, you can enjoy Pizza and Wine at the Roost Farm Centre. The Vineyard Bistro invites you to flavour their farm-to-table experience; “peninsula” famous pizzas right from their wood fired pizza oven and its most popular appetizer, the Salmon Taco accompanied by estate wines. Local musician Sean McCool entertains (reservations 250-655-0009). Both wineries are open for tours and sampling all weekend.

We’re also happy to welcome back old friends on the Trail. On Sunday, relax for a spell at Cartref Gardens, watch the dragon flies and learn what flowers are good to grow and make bouquets from (you can also enjoy a slice of freshly baked homemade fruit pie).

Take a tour at the CFIA’s Centre for Plant Health with its scenic views over Sidney.

The weekend closes with a special Sunday Reception at Snowdon House Studio and Farm at 5 p.m. featuring Laura Waters’ edible Douglas Fir products. Tickets $40, proceeds go to the Relay for Life.

You can also experience the Flavour Trail in style on two wheels with a leisurely 25 km tour visiting farms, markets, and other tasty stops. This year’s Flavour Cycle is offered on both Saturday and Sunday and adds something new – electric bicycles. The cycle tour leaves the Roost Farm Centre at 9:30 a.m. and returns by 4:30 p.m. both days. Registration: TIDESgroup.com or call 250-999-2997.

Tour brochures are available at the North Saanich municipal hall, North Saanich Farmers’ Market, as well as most libraries and recreation centres. You can also download a copy of the brochure from the Flavour Trails website (flavourtrails.com).

For the most up-to-date information on the North Saanich Flavour Trail, visit flavourtrails.com.

The Flavour Trail is organized by CRFAIR (Capital Region Food and Agriculture Initiatives Roundtable) with support from the District of North Saanich and other local governments and businesses.

More details on the Flavour Trail events can be found in the Wednesday, Aug. 19 edition of the Peninsula News Review.