THU. JUNE 19
• ALEX MACKENZIE ‘HAPPY CAMPER’ COMEDY TOUR at the Rainbow Room (3752 Fourth Ave.), a fundraiser for SD70 Mental Health Bursary. Doors open 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tix: $35 available at Rainbow Lanes (downstairs) or at the door if available.
FRI. JUNE 20
• NEAL VIRGIL BROWN, Canadian singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist, comes home to Port Alberni for an encore performance at Char’s Landing (4815 Argyle St.). Doors open 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tix: $20 advance, $25 at the door. charslanding.com or call 250-730-1636.
• SUMMER KICK-OFF Celebrate the start of the summer season with the City of Port Alberni’s Parks and Recreation staff and this free family-friendly event. 4-7 p.m. at Bob Dailey Stadium and Glenwood Centre. Live music, crafts, sports, vendors, food. A Duck hunt starts at 6 p.m.
• INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Port Alberni Friendship Center, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
• SOLSTICE CRAFTY CRUISE Join the Grove Art Gallery from 6–9 p.m. aboard the historic MV Frances Barkley for an evening of 19+ music with DJ Spin Daddy, coastal-inspired crafts, games, food by V9Y Catering and beverages from Dog Mountain Brewing. Tix: $75 per person (includes all supplies, drink and food tickets) available online at alberniarts.com/crafty-cruise.
SAT. JUNE 21
• BUTTERFLY EFFECT Release a butterfly for fun or in memory of a loved one, 11:30 a.m. at Alberni Hospice, 2579 10th Ave. Free kids’ activities, faceprinting, barbecue by donation and more. Everyone welcome. Butterflies cost $25 each or reserve a no-cost sponsored butterfly. Call 250-723-4478 or albernihospice.ca.
• ADSS GRAD CAR PARADE starts at 5:30 p.m. on Burde Street and Anderson Avenue, travels down 10th Avenue to Roger Street and the Alberni Athletic Hall, where Prom will be held. The public is invited to watch the car parade and cheer on the 2025 grads.
• LEGION BR. 293 PRESENTS THE REAL DEAL Dance to the sounds of Fleetwood Mac, the Doobie Brothers, Tom Petty, George Strait, John Fogerty and Susan Tedeschi at the Legion (4680 Victoria Quay). Tix: $25. Doors open 7:30 p.m., music starts 8 p.m.
• BACK COUNTRY HORSEMEN OF BC GYMKHANA at Evergreen Park, Fayette Road. Register by Friday, June 20 by e-mailing avchapterbchbc@gmail.com.
MON. JUNE 23
• SKYSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR open house and social, 6–8 p.m. at Trinity Church (4677 Angus St.). Includes singalong, local musicians, snacks, beverages. FMI: E-mail Kim at bluetuxedo@telus.net or see choir’s Facebook page.
THU. JUNE 26
• RAGE’S FARM MARKETS First pop-up market of the season runs from 5-8 p.m. at 7685 McKenzie Road, Beaver Creek. burgers, hotdogs, ice cream treats and producers: meat, plants, honey, canning, jewelry, crafts and more. FMI: 250-918-9585. Markets will also run July 13 (with a car show) noon to 4 p.m., July 31, Aug. 14 and Aug. 28 (all 5-8 p.m.).
SAT. JUNE 28
• SPECIAL OLYMPICS AWARDS BANQUET for Port Alberni athletes, noon at Echo Centre (4255 Wallace St.). Tix: $25 per person (volunteers admitted for free but must still book a ticket). FMI: call Linda at 250-723-2672 or e-mail portalberni.registration@specialolympics.bc.ca.
JUNE 28-30
• PORT ALBERNI FUNTASTIC SPORTS SOCIETY hosts the 35th annual Okee Dokee Slo-Pitch Tournament and Funtastic Music Festival. Eighty teams take over Port Alberni’s softball diamonds at Echo Fields. June 28-29 six bands play over two nights at Bob Dailey Stadium: Completely Creedence headlines Country Night Saturday, June 28. Who Made Who (AC/DC Tribute) headlines Rock Night Sunday, June 29. Tix: wristbands available at Cloverdale Paints for $40 (for both nights). FMI: www.funtasticalberni.com.
TUE. JULY 1
• CANADA DAY CELEBRATIONS are happening at Harbour Quay from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free, family-friendly event put on by Celebrate PA! Music, kids’ hands-on activities, train rides (book tickets in advance with Alberni Pacific Railway), heritage experiences and more.
• ALBERNI VALLEY ROCK & GEM CLUB hosts a rock show 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Spirit Square, Harbour Quay. Vendors, lapidary demos, club rock table and more.
SAT. JULY 5
• CAMERON WHITCOMB: HUNDRED MILE HIGH TOUR has moved outdoors at The KCC (Kinsmen Community Centre, 4102 Hollywood St.). With special guests The Shindigs and Quadra Sound. Tix: five acre.tickit.ca.
FRI. JULY 11
• DANIEL WESLEY plays Alberni Brewing Company (4630 Adelaide St.), 7:30 p.m. Tix: $35 each.
JULY 12–13
• SPROAT LAKE REGATTA 2025 returns to Sproat Lake Provincial Park on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13. Free for spectators to watch ‘Lightning on the Lake.’ Featuring a West Coast F1 showdown. Pits open to the public on Friday, July 11. Admission is free for the weekend.
SAT. JULY 19
• ROTARY COLOUR FEST returns for second year at Blair Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Register online at www.rotarycolourfest.com. $20 individuals, $45 families. The route is 2.5 kms around the Kitsuksis Dyke. Vendors, food trucks, swag for registrants and post-route, family-friendly fun. FMI: www.rotarycolourfest.com.
SUN. JULY 20
• SUNSET CINEMA returns to Bob Dailey Stadium, 9 p.m. Kids’ activities and concession before the movie begins.
AUG. 8-10
• THUNDER IN THE VALLEY at the Somass Lands. Car show Friday, Aug. 8 at Tyee Landing (3300 Harbour Road). Racing Saturday, Aug. 9 and Sunday, Aug. 10. Spectators’ seating also at Tyee Landing. No public access to Somass property.
SAT. AUG. 9
• BELLE MINERS come to Char’s Landing. Doors open 6:30 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. Tix: $20 advance, $25 at the door. Order online at https://charslanding.com/.
TUE. AUG. 26
• THE CABIN AT SHANNON FARMS hosts a summer market from 5–8 p.m. (8865 Beaver Creek Rd.). FMI: call Tanya at 250-720-5867 or e-mail thecabin@shannonfarms.ca.
SEPT. 13–14
• PORT ALBERNI TOY RUN 41st annual ride starts at noon sharp on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park and runs through Port Alberni to Glenwood Centre (4480 Vimy St.). Centre will be open noon to 4 p.m. for kids’ activities, adult games and entertainment. Tix to Saturday night dance on sale at Little Qualicum Falls for riders, Glenwood Centre for public. Sunday, Sept. 14 pancake breakfast for riders at 8 a.m., Poker Run at 9:30 a.m. (registration). FMI: portalbernitoyrun.ca
ONGOING
• HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING runs Wednesdays, 4-6:30 p.m. from May 14-June 25. This training gives volunteers skills needed to deliver support to grieving and palliative care clients in an informed, compassionate and confidential manner. FMI: info@albernihospice.ca or call 250-723-4478.
• I’M STILL HERE Understanding Grief after MAiD is a free, eight-week group supporting those who have lost a loved one who chose Medical Assistance in Death (MAiD). Tuesdays, 4-6 p.m. from May 13 to July 8, 2025 at Alberni Hospice Community Office (2579 10th Ave.). Call 250-723-4478 or email info@albernihospice.ca to register.
• HEARTS IN HEALING Spousal Grief Support Group is a free, eight-week group supporting individuals who have recently lost their spouse. Sundays from 1-3 p.m., May 11–June 29 at Alberni Hospice Community Office (2579 10th Ave.). To register call 250-723-4478 or email info@albernihospice.ca.
• RESIST exhibit at Alberni Valley Museum. Featuring 40+ fibre artworks by Western Canadian artists, showcasing “resist” techniques and themes. playinpa.ca/exhibits.
• SONS OF NORWAY LODGE meets on the second Wednesday of each month at the Rainbow Room (3752 Fourth Ave). 1 p.m. Open to anyone of Norwegian ancestry who would like to learn more about the lodge and Norwegian culture. FMI: Patty Schwartz at 250-723-5530.
• PORT ALBERNI CHESS CLUB meets every Saturday at Bombers Cafe and Creperie (5262 Argyle Street) from 2-6 p.m.
• KIDS ART-MAKING AT THE GROVE For the month of March 2025, the Grove Gallery is hosting drop-in kids’ art sessions every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. FMI: alberniarts.com/events. Perfect for creative kids.
• GOLDEN OLDIES CAR CLUB meets on the first Thursday of each month upstairs at the Royal Canadian Legion Br. 293 (Victoria Quay) at 7 p.m. New members welcome. No need to have a car — just an interest in vehicles.
• ALBERNI VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m. in the basement room at Abbeyfield House (3839 Eighth Ave. at Redford Street). All levels of photographers welcome. Membership required. FMI: Steve or Lorna Crowshaw, 250-723-6901.
• JUNIOR YOUTH GROUP for Grades 3-7 in the Upper Clubhouse at Arrowsmith Baptist Church (4283 Glenside Rd). Tuesdays from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Have fun playing games, making friends and exploring faith.
• SKYSONG COMMUNITY CHOIR meets at Trinity Anglican and Lutheran Church (4766 Angus St.) every Monday from 6-8 p.m. Everyone welcome. FMI: E-mail Kim at bluetuxedo@telus.net or see choir’s Facebook page.
• GRIEF CARE meets Sundays at 2 p.m. at Southside Church of the Nazarene (4190 Victoria Drive). Call 250-918-5830.
• CANADIAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month at Abbeyfield (downstairs meeting room at the back of the building). FMI: Jenn Collette 250-240-1738.
• TOPS (TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY) MEETINGS Tuesdays at the Royal Canadian Legion (Victoria Quay). 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• SPIRIT SQUARE FARMER’S MARKET every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at Harbour Quay.
• ALBERNI VALLEY COIN CLUB meets at 7 p.m. the third Thursday of every month in the Fir Room of Echo Centre (4255 Wallace St.). FMI: Carl ph. 250-723-9891.
• ALBERNI VALLEY ROCK AND GEM CLUB meets the first Sunday of the month, 2 p.m. at the clubhouse, 5100 Tebo Ave. (Club’s workshop is open to members Mondays 7–10 p.m. and Wednesdays 1–4 p.m. FMI: Les Bontron, 250-724-1564.
• ELECTRIC MERMAID A monthly live reading event at Char’s Landing. Last Wednesday of every month. Visit www.charslanding.com for the Zoom link for the event. Anyone who would like to read their own work can sign up at ElectricMermaidReads @gmail.com.
