Shirley Day is the largest and longest-running annual celebration of rural life in Shirley, Sooke, held every August since the 1970s. This year, families and the community got together to enjoy lots of free activities at the beautiful Shirley Community Park on Sunday, Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Shirley is a small town on the tip of Vancouver Island, making it the perfect destination for travelers looking for a peaceful and relaxing retreat. The event featured music on the park’s outdoor stage, featuring a lineup of talented bands and performers organized by Shirley Loves Music, and the children’s area featured crafts, games, and prizes. Shirley Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in August every year.

What began as a simple garage sale has grown into Shirley Day, a major summer event that the community eagerly awaits each year. It’s now the largest fundraiser for the Shirley Community Association, with proceeds going to maintain the 90-year-old Shirley Community Hall.

“It all started as a garage sale back in the 1970s,” said Shannon Lee Rae, director of Shirley Loves Music and a dedicated volunteer on the event committee. It’s a fantastic event, and there still is a garage sale in the Shirley Community Hall to honor its humble beginnings.

Dos Cabezas started the music at 11 a.m., followed by Coal Creek at noon, Charlie K at 1 p.m., Mbira Spirit at 2 p.m., and headliners the Haven Band from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The event day also showcased ‘Next Gen Shirley’ from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. during setup to give local young musicians a chance to perform.

Shirley Day is a social highlight of the summer, even though the community is lively every Sunday during market season. It’s also the main fundraiser for the Shirley Community Association, which maintains the hall and park for meetings and recreational activities. Shirley Community Hall and Park are located at 2795 Sheringham Point Rd., about 20 minutes past Sooke on the scenic West Coast Road.

Source: Sooke News Mirror