An outdoor setting has again been lined up for Transition Sooke's annual Reskilling Share Fair and Community Potluck Picnic.
After two years at InishOge Farm, the family friendly event is moving to Sunriver Community Gardens on Saturday (Aug. 27) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What is a reskilling fair? It's an opportunity to learn practical skills that, not too many generations ago, were standard-issue in most Canadian homes. Household arts like soap making, tool sharpening, herbal tinctures, backyard chickens and food preservation weren't anything the least special back then.
Today, in this wasteful era of convenience shopping and throwaway everything, they've become very special.
Transition Sooke's volunteers will again offer a selection of unique, fun and engaging workshops for kids and adults in the morning and early afternoon.
These will be followed by a potluck picnic to which everyone is invited to bring their own cutlery and plates along with a dish to share.
As the afternoon winds down, the relaxed scene will shift to the orchard for some peaceful contemplation and lively music-making.
This year's workshops for adults will include Reaping 21st Century Health Benefits from Traditional Fermented Foods (led by Jo Phillips), Continuous Brew Kombucha (Marion Pettinger) and Bear Aware 101 (Debb Read).
Children, meanwhile, can attend a bike workshop led by young cycling enthusiast Kasian Russell, wander the gardens on a NatureQuest with Sofie Hagens, and learn how to make musical instruments from recycled materials with Wendy O'Connor.
It's an opportunity to walk away with a few essential life skills, hang out for the
day in a friendly, all-ages crowd, and meet the folks behind the organization's working groups: Bike Sooke, Wild Wise Sooke, Permaculture Sooke and Zero Waste Sooke.
Are you in need of someone with a particular skill set? If you have a unique talent that you would like to share, please drop by Sunriver and add your name to the Skill Sharing Board.
If you would like more information about Transition Sooke, please go online to www.transitionsooke.org.