The next Vancouver Island Baby Fair will take place Sept 24 & 25 in Victoria BC and we will be celebrating our 5th anniversary and our seventh fair on the island! (Including our two shows that have taken place in Nanaimo)

At each fair we love to support a local charity that focuses on pregnancy through preschool, just like we do at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair. We fund raise through our very popular photo contest, facepainting and stroller parking. Plus, the charity we work with is provided with loads of exposure prior to, during the weekend of the fair, and after.

So far we have raised more than $11,000 and worked with these amazing charities.

Child Find BC

Success by 6

Nanaimo Child Development Centre

Foster Parent Support Society

Haven Society

Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society

We are now planning for our Fall fair, Sept 24 & 25 in Victoria at Pearkes Arena and would love to hear your suggestions for a local non-profit charity that is geared to young families. Deadline for suggestions is Friday, February 11, 2011.

Feel free to send me an email, or leave a comment here.

The big moment so many wait for after every Baby Fair is finally here!
Here are the winners of the 2010 Nanaimo Photo Contest…

0-24 month old category: Aislynn.  2-6 year old category: Solace

Both Aislynn and Solace’s families win a $300 prize package including a portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital negatives from SeaSide Studios.

We are often asked how we pick the winners, and we always try to emphasize that it is not a “cutest baby” contest. We look for interesting photographs where the photographer has captured a special look or expression of the child. Check out some of the past faces of the Vancouver Island Baby Fair.

Thank you to all the families who entered their little ones into the photo contest! All families who entered receive a free 5×7 print which is available for pickup now at Huckleberry Baby Shop in Nanaimo.

Through the Photo Contest, face painting and stroller parking we have raised more than $1350 for Haven Society. Thank You also to London Drugs at Nanaimo North Town Centre for providing the 5×7 prints. We are donating that cost savings back to Haven Society.

At each Vancouver Island Baby Fair, we partner with a charity who benefits from 100% of the money raised from the Photo Contest, Stroller Parking, and Face Painting, plus they get wide exposure to the thousands of visitors who attend the event. We have raised thousands of dollars and provided exposure for several charities over the past three years.

At our upcoming event in Nanaimo on June 5 & 6, 2010, we are proud to be working with the Haven Society. Haven Society’s mission is to promote the integrity and safety of women, children, youth and families and the development of a respectful and healthy community.

As a leading anti-violence organization operating from feminist principles, Haven Society achieves this mission by providing a range of programs and services, public education and advocacy. This includes:

Haven Transition House: provides shelter for women, children, and families of all ages who have been physically, sexually and/or emotionally abused.
Children and Youth Who Witness Abuse Program: Offers group and individual counselling and a place where children can talk about their experiences and learn that it is not their fault.
Haven Community Victim Services Ð Nanaimo & Parksville: Offers emotional support and justice related services for those coping with the aftermath of sexual assault, abuse and violence.
Women’s Counselling & Support Groups: Provides a safe place for women whose lives have been affected by abuse to begin reclaiming their sense of self and safety.
24 hour Crisis Line: A support worker is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.