The Sooke Region Communities Health Network extends our warmest thanks to everyone who helped make our very first Sooke Senior & Family Fair a truly special event.

It was a beautiful day filled with joy, connection, and celebration. Attendees came dressed in their finest hats and festive attire, created flower tiaras, danced to live music, visited with neighbours, and enjoyed the sense of community spirit that defines Sooke.

We are especially grateful to the incredible individuals and groups who worked behind the scenes to make the day such a success:

Organizers, Volunteers and Donations

• The Sooke Gathering Place Fundraising Committee, who devoted weeks to planning and organizing the event: Carol Pinalski, Mary Dunn, Sherry Robb, Marlene Barry, and Robin Zabloski
• The District of Sooke, for generously providing use of the park
• Willy Burrows and Camp Bernard, for the loan of tables and chairs
• Denyse Koo and Melanie Cunningham, for their hard work with setup, takedown, and transport
• A Sea of Bloom for floral bouquet
• Avanta Marketing for donating new gifts for spin wheel donations

Exhibitors

• Ayre Manor
• Ayre Manor Hospice Art Project
• Contact Loan Cupboard.
• Core Healing Reiki
• Elder Dog
• Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health
• Paul Martin Bottle Drive for SGP
• Peaceful Passing
• SEAPARC Recreation Complex
• Scouts and Guides, Canada
• Sooke Arts Council
• Sooke Fine Arts Society Volunteers
• Sooke Horseshoe Pitching Association
• Sooke Rotary Club
  
  

Communications & Media

• Ed Bain and Jeff King from CHEK News' The Upside, for visiting and helping share our message beyond Sooke
• Evan from the Sooke News Mirror, for covering the story
• Sooke Radio for a PSA
  
  

Food & Refreshments

• Al Beddows and fellow Sooke Lions for serving up 150 delicious hot dogs at the BBQ
• Our wonderful cookie bakers: Mary McColeman, Linda Teneycke, Marlene Barry, and Rosanne Day
• The Scouts and Guides, for hosting the cheerful Cookie and Iced Tea station

Kids & Family Activities

• Brooke Ervin at Just Bounce Inflatables, for generously donating the bouncy castles and staff support
• Lynda Slater, Jocelin Roy, and members of the Sooke Arts Council, for leading the floral tiara-making station

Entertainment

• Group Therapy and Dos Cabezas, whose music created a fun and festive atmosphere
• The Sooke Spectacular Senior Committee and finalists, who brought spirit, laughter, and excitement to the day—with a fabulous crowning moment and some impressive fundraising!

And finally, thank you to the entire Sooke community for showing up, pitching in, and supporting the vision of the Sooke Gathering Place.

We hope you enjoy the photos, and we look forward to building even more connections in the years ahead.

With gratitude,
Sooke Region Communities Health Network