Victoria Symphony Splash, B.C. – 7/31/2016 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

July 31, 2016 (Sunday)

Today is Victoria Symphony Splash. This is our fourth year of going and we love it but each year we try something different. The first year we were told about it the day before by a docent from the BC Royal Museum. That year we sat on a bench to the side all day until the Splash started. The second year Jim and Anna brought some chairs to sit on and we sat down front in the inner harbor. The third year we brought chairs and sat on the lawn above the walkway to the inner harbor. This year we decided to try the lawn of Parliament with a blanket (a suggestion by Jim and Anna, who had done it last year).

It was a very relaxed day. We didn’t have to rush down to the inner harbor to get our “spots” to make sure it was a good place. We slept in, Larry and Renee cooked a spectacular breakfast (eggs, asparagus, sausage, orange juice, toast, coffee). We lazed around all day just doing nothing in particular. It was pretty wonderful. I even managed to get a nice nap in. Around 5 PM, we headed off to the lawn to try to find a spot. We were surprised at how packed it was already but we did manage to get a pretty decent spot right at eye level with the symphony barge.

About 5:30 and it was getting a little crowded. About 45,000 were expected.

The Splash didn’t start until 7:30 PM, so Michael and Larry went off to get us a little something to eat from one of the vendors. Michael got a burrito and some mini tacos, Larry got a sausage dog and some kind of African food. All good. During this time there was a band playing, and then some announcements.

I can always sell Edie on Mexican for a meal.

Edie got 6 mini tacos, 2 of which ended up with me. — Edie got six mini tacos, two of which ended up with me.

I had a burrito that wasn't half bad. — I had a burrito that wasn’t half bad.

The Splash started by the Symphony walking out from near the Parliament building. This year they weren’t being accompanied by bagpipes. Maestra Tania Miller was in a pedicab with the three young guest artists. The rest of the symphony followed by walking, and then some stragglers who had to rush to catch up. When the Splash did start, it was pretty wonderful except for all the talking going on, especially right near us. There were a group of teachers who just would not shut up. I was very surprised and wondered why they would even come. At times I wanted to scream at them but I finally leaned over and said we really wanted to hear the symphony and they were quiet for a bit. I was nice, mostly, I promise.

I walked around to see the sights, neat yacht.

Boats in front of the barge to enjoy the performance from the water.

Volunteers were around collection suggested donations of five bucks a head. — Volunteers were around to collect suggested donations of five bucks a head.

Folks doing the "chicken dance." — Folks doing the “chicken dance.”

I was creepin on pretty woman hoping to catch her doing the chicken, her radar was set too wide. — I was creeping on pretty woman, hoping to catch her doing the chicken dance, her radar was set too wide.

Other than the talking, the Splash was awesome (as usual). They played Star Trek and Star Wars compositions and it was fun to see all the light sabers come out and play along. At the end of the night was the usual “1812 Overture” with the cannons and then the fireworks.

The music is amplified significantly and the place was on fire with the 1812 Overture.

It was very grand with sensory overload.

Pretty wonderful. Not as magical, however, due to the talking, but still wonderful.

We got back to our room and watched the ending to “Braindead.” I have been enjoying the show and told Michael, Larry and Renee, and they all seemed to enjoy it.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!