Pacific Rim Whale Festival, March 16-24, Kicks Off Famed West Coast Vancouver Island Whale Watching Season

West Coast Vancouver Island Whale Watching Season

Culinary, Cultural, Musical, Educational Events Celebrate Return of

Migrating Whales to Year-round Whale Sighting Destination

Tofino, Ucluelet, B.C., January 29, 2013 – The Pacific Rim Whale Festival today published the calendar of culinary, cultural, musical and educational events — many of them free — planned for the 27th Annual Whale Festival being held in Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, from March 16-24, 2013.

The Pacific Rim Whale Festival marks the opening of the region’s renowned whale watching season and the annual migration of over 20, 000 Grey whales on their 13, 000 km journey from the waters of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula to the Bering Sea. Known for the abundance of Grey, Humpback and Orca sightings year-round, the west coast of Vancouver Island is one of the world’s premier whale watching destinations with more than a dozen operators based in Tofino and Ucluelet conducting whale watching boat tours from March through October.

2013 Pacific Rim Whale Festival Event Highlights

(Except where indicated, advanced tickets to all events are available online.)

The Wickaninnish Inn “Gala Dinner & Silent Auction”

Chef Nick Nutting and the kitchen brigade cook up some magic as wine pairings and tempting silent auction items complement the evening for this annual fundraising (and fun-raising) event.

Date/Time: Thursday, March 14, 6:00pm

Location: Wickaninnish Inn, 500 Osprey Lane, Tofino

Tickets: $110 available at http://www.wickinn.com

“The Parade of Whales and Wonders”

Popular with all festival attendees, especially families with young children, this community-style parade features floats from local businesses and organizations capturing the spirit of the Pacific Rim Whale Festival.

Date/Time: Saturday, March 16, 10:00am

Location: Campbell Street, Tofino

Tickets: FREE Event

 “Chowder Chowdown” 

Acclaimed area chefs compete for awards while attendees and local “celebrity judges” sample, compare and vote for their favorite chowder creations.

Date/Time: Sunday, March 17, 10:30am-2:30pm

Location: Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet

Tickets: $10 Adults/ $5 Children

“Sweet Indulgence: All You Can Eat Dessert Affair” 

An evening of decadence featuring favorite west coast family dessert recipes, door prizes and live, local musical guests.

Date/Time: Tuesday, March 19, 7:00pm

Location:  Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet

Tickets:$10 Adults/ $5 Children/ Family Rates available

“Black Rock Oceanfront Resort presents Barnacle Blues”

A fundraising evening of music with ‘Viper Central‘ and a feature performance by John Mann, lead vocalist for Canadian folk rock band, Spirit of the West. This event includes drinks and gourmet appetizers, a raffle and live action.

Date/Time: Thursday, March 21, 6:00pm

Location:  Blackrock Resort, 596 Marine Drive, Ucluelet

Tickets: $40 Adults

“A Winter Wave Showdown Photo Competition”

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort hosts amateur and professional shutterbugs competing with their impressive “Winter on the Coast 2013” shots.

Date/Time: Saturday, March 16, 7:00pm

Location: Blackrock Resort, 596 Marine Drive, Ucluelet

Tickets: $5

“Storytelling with Artist Roy Henry Vickers”

Renowned First Nation artist Roy Henry Vickers shares personal stories of coastal life and inspirations in his own longhouse gallery.  Roy will be available for signing following the storytelling. Everyone welcome!

Date/Time: TBA

Location: Eagle Aerie Gallery, 350 Campbell Street, Tofino

Tickets: FREE Event

“Beach Seine Interactive Specimen Collecting”

Join the Ucluelet Aquarium Society and an actual aquarium-bound specimen collection on Terrace Beach. All ages welcome. Boots recommended.

Date/Time: TBA

Location: Terrace Beach, Ucluelet

Tickets: FREE Event

“Mudflats Interpretive Walk”

Presented by the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation and the Raincoast Education Society, this 60-minute exploration of the abundant wildlife found at the Tofino Mudflats is ideal for families, kids and mud-enthusiasts of all ages. Sturdy shoes are recommended.

Date/Time: Monday, March 12, 2012: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Location: Darwin’s Café, Tofino Botanical Gardens, Tofino

Tickets:  $10 adult/ $6 students/ Children 12 and under FREE

“Pacific Rim Festivities – Community Gathering – Closing Ceremonies”

An afternoon of performances featuring local dancers and musicians followed by a Salmon BBQ.

Date/Time: Saturday, March 24, Noon – 3:00pm

Location: Tin Wis Conference Centre, Mackenzie Beach

Tickets:$10/ Children 6 and under FREE###

About the Pacific Rim Whale Festival www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com
In its 27^th year, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the continued protection and annual return of migrating Pacific grey whales to the coastal waters of the communities of Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.  Supported by volunteers, business sponsorships, and an array of local education and research organizations, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival’s fundraising efforts benefit local marine field-based research initiatives, which in turn support the whales. 2013 Whale Festival Sponsors include:

“Legacy” Sponsor: Wickaninnish Inn

“Grey Whale” Sponsors: CHEK News Television, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort , R TOWN Communications

“Stellar Sea Lion” Sponsors:

Best Western Tin Wis Resort, Clayoquot Biosphere Trust , District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet, Eagle Aerie Gallery, Immediate Images,  Jamie’s Whaling Station & Adventure Centres – Tofino & Ucluelet,  Long Beach Radio, Remote Passages Marine Excursions, Tofino Time, Tourism Tofino, Tourism Ucluelet, Visitor’s Choice Magazine,  Westerly News

“Harbour Seal” Sponsors:

BC Hydro, Canada Wide Media, Homes and Living Magazine

Event Contact                                                                           Media Contact

Allie Bonner                                                                                Lynda Kaye

Pacific Rim Whale Festival Coordinator                               Kaye Public Relations for Tourism Tofino

e: info@pacificrimwhalefestival.com                                     e: lynda@kayepr.com

p: 250-726-7798                                                                       p: 250-725-2035