Last year, as many of you may recall, Tony and I had the great pleasure of taking a two week trip to Vancouver Island, which I documented in the weeks and months that followed through a series of blog posts, including this one that recapped some of the biggest and best highlights of our time on this southerly part of the province.
Absolutely, hands down, no questions asked, one of the coolest and most memorable of those experiences was attending day one (of two) of the annual Victoria Vintage Expo, which is being held on Friday September 25th and Saturday September 26th this year.
Though, (very!) sadly, for a host of reasons, including Tony's work travel schedule, it isn't possible for us to venture to Vancouver Island again this year (*sad face*). However, I had such an amazing time there last year that I wanted to let all of you guys know about the fact that another Victoria Vintage Expo was coming down the pipeline soon.
I fully realize that the bulk of my blog readers do not reside in British Columbia or anywhere near it, but for those who happen to or who might, by pure coincidence be in the area at the end of this month, I would be remiss if I didn't let you know about this event.
BC, and Canada in general, as I'd mentioned many a time before, does not have a lot of vintage related events, let alone one of the caliber, scope, and attendance of the Victoria Vintage Expo. Coving two floors of the historical Crystal Garden building in downtown Victoria, this awesome event sees dozens of (mostly vintage, but also some handmade, artisanal food, and vintage related) sellers coming together to peddle their fabulous wares (including a tons of vintage clothing, jewelry, and accessories, with no shortage of early and mid-twentieth century offerings).
While at the same time over the course of the those two days, there is plenty of live entertainment, a vintage fashion show, great on-site food and drinks, and even some folks dressed in vintage - which believe me, is an exceedingly rare sight usually even in a big city like Victoria.
It was, bar none, the biggest, most enjoyable, and busiest vintage fair (or any vintage event for that matter) that I have ever attended and I truly can't urge you enough to schedule a few hours on one or both of those days to head on down to the Victoria Vintage Expo and check out this thriving, incredible vintage event for yourself, if you can.
This year's expo will be taking place on:
Friday 25th from 4pm – 10pm
Saturday 26th from 10am – 6pm
Admission is just $8.00 single day or a mere $9.00 for a weekend pass, with kids 13 and under and getting in for free.
It will be held at the Crystal Garden building located at 713 Douglas Street in Victoria, BC.
Should you have any questions, you can send them to vintagefairvictoria@gmail.com and/or connect with the organizers via the event's Facebook page.
So while I won't be there this year in person, I will most certainly be attending in spirit and hope that some of you will be able to take part (for real) yourselves. Definitely feel free to share your Victoria Vintage Expo experiences with me if you do go.
Fingers crossed we'll be able to make it to 2016's – my vintage loving heart gets giddy at the mere thought! :)
I freakin' LOVE the Vintage Expo and I will be there again this year.I always go on Friday night: the bar is open, and your Fri night ticket usually gets you into the Saturday show for free. Also, the last 2 years, the first 50 or so people got swag bags.
ReplyDelete- Last year: http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.ca/2014/09/weekend-wrap-up-new-hair-down-and-up.html
- The year before (including pictures of the gorgeous Crystal Gardens): http://sheilaephemera.blogspot.ca/2013/09/weekend-round-up-vintage-fair-autumn.html
I seem to always wear yellow/red/blue - I better change that up this year!
So sorry to hear you won't be there, Jessica - I was hoping to meet you. Next year! I'll be doing a big post about the Expo, along with my purchases.
Hi sweet Shelia, thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment and for sharing a link to your previous Vintage Expo posts. They were a blast to see!
DeleteI too was massively hoping we could meet up - who knows, maybe I'll be able to make it back to the Island before 2016's Expo for another reason and we can get together then. Anytime I'm headed that way, you will be the first to know, my sweet friend - and likewise, please don't hesitate to give me a shout if you're in the Okanagan.
Have a fantastic time at this year's Expo - I'll be there with you in spirit for sure!
Big hugs & joyful Labour Day weekend wishes,
♥ Jessica
Fingers really crossed that you can go next year! I am amazed by this fair, I never hear of anything like that! Victoria Vintage expo is new to me, and I would love to take a look, as well, but unfortunately, I don't live near the area, wish I did! Maybe I can go there next year, too? Hopefully!
ReplyDeleteDenisesPlanet.com
Thank you very much, sweet Denise! I truly hope that we're able to go next year. It pains me to miss this year's, but that's life, and sometimes other factors - like work - come first. It would be amazing if you could take a trip to Canada and attend 2016's as well. We would absolutely, 100% have to try and meetup and hangout if you did (I get excited at the mere thought! :)).
DeleteTons of hugs & happy weekend wishes!
♥ Jessica
Oooh...thanks so much for this Jessica! I'm not sure if I can attend, but I know a few people who may be interested. {Me waving madly from Vancouver}
ReplyDeleteMe waving back at both you and the lovely folks headed to this year's Vintage Expo as well. :)
DeleteHopefully, fingers firmly crossed, we can both make it to 2016's! I haven't been on the Coast since last year's Vancouver Island trip, but if we anytime, I'll be sure to let you know, dear Sue - likewise, please drop me a line if you're in the Okanagan. We definitely have to meetup one of these days!
Tons of hugs & happy long weekend wishes!
♥ Jessica
I am eagerly awaiting fall here in Winnipeg. There are vintage expos like that one, once a month for the holiday season. I am getting my wishlist ready! Hopefully you are able to attend next year:)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! I swear, Winnipeg is the unsung hero of the vintage scene here in Canada! I absolutely must get out there one of these years. If only it wasn't such a drive from BC - still, be it by car or a plane, a trip there is a true must in my books.
DeleteI hope you have a great time at all the vintage fairs in your area this autumn/winter, dear gal!
Big hugs & happy long weekend wishes,
♥ Jessica
I'd love more things like this in my area! Shame you can't go this year, but you're right to share it to stop others missing out :) x
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, honey. I'm sorry that there isn't much like this where you live either. I wish that there were events like this closer to home for us (it takes about seven - eight hours to get to Victoria from Penticton). There are a small number of antiques & collectibles shows in a three hour radius (mostly in the fall, too), but they rarely have much in the way of vintage clothing (and even jewelry and accessories can be hit and miss, and/or wildly overpriced, at times), an area that the Victoria Vintage Expo excelled at.
DeleteWe might just have to each start one in our respective towns! :) :) :)
Tons of hugs & happy weekend wishes!
♥ Jessica
Oh! If one day I manage to go to Vancouver I will look to the dates of the Victoria Vintage Fair to be sure, at least, to visit it. For those lucky enought to be living nearby, enjoy it! Eva
ReplyDeleteIt would be marvelous if you could attend! The company that puts on the Victoria Vintage Expo hosts numerous other small vintage sales throughout the year in Victoria, so perhaps if you were in the part of the country, but not during Expo, there would still be a smaller scale sale for you to attend as well.
DeleteBig hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
♥ Jessica
How wonderful! I wish I was there!
ReplyDeleteBecause in Italy never organize such things ?!
;***
serena
Hi sweet Serena, are you familiar with the annual Summer Jamboree that is held each year in Italy? http://www.summerjamboree.com
DeleteIt's more of a music festival (with a strong rockabilly leaning), but it is a gathering of vintage/rockabilly folks in Italy and might be something that you would enjoy. I've never been myself, but would massively love to attend one year, if possible.
Have a fabulous weekend, honey!
♥ Jessica
for me this is practically the other side of the world!
ReplyDeleteso i feel with you :-)
and my fingers AND toes are crossed that you can visit the fair next year!!!
xxxxx
Thank you very much, my darling friend. I really hope that we're able to as well - and who knows, perhaps that some day you could (attend a Victoria Vintage Expo) as well.
DeleteHave a stellar first weekend of September - big hugs!
♥ Jessica
Delighted that you enjoyed the expo so much Jessica! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt is my sincere pleasure, Sarah. Thank you for the incredible job, endless hours of work, and tireless dedication that you put into organizing this event each year. You are doing an amazing, inspiring service to city, province, and even country by putting on this brilliant vintage fair each autumn.
DeleteHere's to a stellar 2015 Victoria Vintage Expo!!!
♥ Jessica
Sorry to hear you won't be there :( it was so lovely meeting you last year! Hope to see you next time!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, lovely Janey. I was so hoping to reconnect with new friends (from last year's) again this year, too, but alas, it just isn't possible for us to attend 2015's. Fingers massively crossed that we can make it to 2016's and if we do, I really look forward to connecting with you again.
DeleteBig hugs & happy long weekend wishes,
♥ Jessica
That looks like fun, and I remember how much you enjoyed it. The L.A. Vintage expo should be soon. If I get the chance to come and visit You & Tony, I'll try for this weekend in 2016.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fabulous!!! I think that you would adore Vancouver Island. Having never been to California myself, I can't compare the two, but while similar in some respects, they're also quite different and I think that you would certainly feel like you were on holiday - not just up state, so to speak. :)
DeleteTons of hugs & happy wishes for this new late summertime week of ours,
♥ Jessica
Wish I were in Vancouver, sigh. :)
ReplyDeleteSame here - massively!!! I know it (the vintage expo) will be on my mind big time on those days. So close - in the grander scale of the earth - and yet so far away to me this time around. Oh well, fingers crossed it can happen next year.
DeleteMany hugs,
♥ Jessica
I wish we had at least ONE vintage event EVER….. too bad you're missing out this year, I see you're also going to miss out on meeting Sheila.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame for sure - I would have loved to meet her and also to have reconnected with some new friends I made there last year. Hopefully I can make it 2016's Vintage Expo or possibly to take a trip to the Island again even before then and meet her if I do.
DeleteI will hold out hope that one day a great vintage event springs up your province (state?) like this, too, sweet Lorena.
Big hugs,
♥ Jessica