Every visitor to the Vancouver Island Baby Fair will receive one ballot at the door, and may enter it for either one of the two Grand Prizes. Deadline for entry is Sept. 25 at 4pm (at the close of the fair). Winners will be drawn after closing and notified, plus will be announced in our e-Newsletter, blog and/or website. Some restrictions apply.

Baby Races Grand Prize (Saturday) – Value: $460

• Abby Sprouts – Gift Certificate ($30)
• Avon Canada – Assorted bag of Avon products ($30)
• BCAA – Redi Medic Emergency Kit ($49)
• earth, mom and baby – 2 pack Bumboo Diapers ($43)
• Elements of Health Centre – Initial acupuncture visit with Julia Dascalescu ($100)
• Green Bean Baby – Organic cotton knotted cap & booties ($36)
• Mothering Touch Centre – Stuffed toy & book Where the Wild Things Are ($40)
• Rainy Day Play – AC/DC For Those About To Walk t-shirt ($22)
• Style Me Modern – Gift certificate ($30)
• Undine Jewellery – Necklace for mom ($30)
• Victoria People’s Pharmacy – Weleda organic calendula baby care products ($50)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Sunday) – Value: $460

• Avon Canada – Assorted bag of Avon products ($30)
• Baby Bellhop – Gift Card ($30)
• BCAA – Redi Medic Emergency Kit ($49)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 minute massage (for Family Friendly Fridays) with Jane Podmore, RMT ($65)
• Green Bean Baby - Organic cotton terry hooded towel & wash cloth ($54)
• Mothering Touch Centre – Stuffed toy & book Where the Wild Things Are ($40)
• Rainy Day Play – Tin Tea Set ($27)
• Snugglings – Organic cotton/bamboo blanket ($45)
• Spud.ca – Sustainable Produce Urban Delivery – Gift pack filled with snacks, treats and other great products ($40)
• Style Me Modern – Gift certificate ($30)
• Victoria People’s Pharmacy – Weleda organic calendula baby care products ($50)

Babies aged 5-11 months race in heats of 4-5 babies. Winner of each heat will receive 2 Savvy Squirrel Coupon Books (1 Spring and 1 Fall edition – $20 value) and will move on to the final race. Final race winner’s family will receive the grand prize.

Photo Contest Grand Prizes

A $10 donation to 1Up: Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre will get your chid an on-site mini portrait shoot with Vivian Kereki Photography, a 5×7 print from your session after the fair, and enter you in the contest. One winner will be chosen in each of two categories: Baby (0-24 months) and Child (2-6 years)

Winner of each age category receives a professional photo session, 8 digital negatives, one print package of two 5×7s and one 8×10, plus one gallery wrap 16×20 canvass (a more than $700 value) from Vivian Kereki Photography. Plus, the winner of the baby category will appear on the cover of Island Parent Magazine!

As always, it was a very tough decision… but the judges have spoken and we are pleased to announce the winners of this year’s Vancouver Island Baby Fair Photo Contest!

Congratulations to Samuel A., winner of the 0-24 month old category, and Kailan G., winner of the 2-6 year old category!

Samuel’s family will receive:

• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family & Baby session plus 4 high resolution digital negatives & 2 11×14 mounted portaits ($695 value)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – $100 “Room Makeover” Gift Certificate from Cloverdale Paints
• Become the poster child for our next Baby Fair in Victoria
• Appear on the cover of Island Parent Magazine

Kailan’s family will receive:

• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family & Baby session plus 4 high resolution digital negatives & 2 11×14 mounted portaits ($695 value)
• ROCKBEBE – Gift Certificate ($100)

Visit our gallery of past Baby Fair faces. You can also visit the entire Victoria 2010 online gallery of contest entries here.

All participants in the contest can pick up their free 5×7 print at ROCKBEBE in Mayfair Shopping Centre, but only until Nov. 15! Pickup details here.

Through the Photo Contest, stroller parking and face painting at the Baby Fair, we raised more than $2700 for the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society.

Participants in the 2010 Vancouver Island Baby Fair Photo Contest may now pick up their free 5×7 print at ROCKBEBE in Mayfair Shopping Centre.

Photos will be available for pickup only until Nov. 15.

Winners of the contest will be announced on Nov. 1. If you’d like to see a sampling of some of the cuties or browse all the entries, you can visit Jennifer Jonker Photography’s special online gallery.

We are so proud that this year’s Photo Contest, along with donations received through stroller parking and face painting at the Vancouver Island Baby Fair, raised more than $2700 for the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society! Thank you to Jennifer Jonker Photography and all who participated!

One of the fun parts of coming to the Vancouver Island Baby Fair is the chance to win some pretty amazing prizes. Many exhibitors will have great prize draws in their booths, plus we’ve lined up some huge prize packages for the photo contest, baby races, and grand prizes at the door.

New Parent Grand Prize – Value: $1835

• April Showers Cakes – Neutral design diaper cake ($60)
• Awesome Mommies – One year Awesome Mommies membership & onesie ($60)
• Baby Oopies – Newborn size bamboo nighttime cloth diaper & matching wool diaper cover ($75)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – BCAA Gift Card ($50)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – Posh Plus nursing pillow ($70)
• Blue Sky Photography – Two hour maternity photo session plus five 5×7 prints ($225)
• Camosun College Prenatal Program – 12 hour prenatal class series or weekend ($165)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 min. massage with Jane Podmore ($65)
• Elizabeth Belfry, RMT, CIMT – Initial 30 minute massage treatment or use value towards infant massage lessons ($67)
• Hip Baby Victoria – Gift Card ($50)
• Hudson & Saige – Gift Certificate ($50)
• JamTots Baby & More Store – Baby Kangas one-size diaper with hemp stuffer, one change pad and one wet bag ($56)
• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Newborn package: newborn session, 25 custom-designed birth announcements, two 5×7 portraits ($350)
• Momma Goose Baby Care – New Mom package: Belly Butter Bar, Herbal Sitz Bath, Recovery Care, All Better Balm ($56)
• Mothering Touch Centre – $30 Gift Card & $50 punch card for classes ($80)
• Norwex Enviro Products – Antibacterial baby hooded towel set & antibacterial body pack ($50)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• Snugglings – Organic cotton/bamboo blankets & bib ($52)
• Tokyo Baby – Two pairs Monkey pants & leg warmers ($58)
• Wee Woolies – 100% pure NZ merino swaddle wrap ($50)
• Wobabybasics – Cosy Me Gift Set: Sleeping Cocoon & Hold Me bodysuit wrapped in Eco box ($72)

Parent & Tot Grand Prize – Value: $1652

• Abby Sprouts – Gift Certificate ($50)
• Awesome Mommies – One year Awesome Mommies membership & onesie ($60)
• Baby Jones – Boots & Bracelets ($50)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – BCAA Gift Card ($50)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – See Kai Run shoes ($36)
• Creative Exposure Photography – Maternity/family session plus proof album ($225)
• Elements of Health Centre – 60 min. acupuncture treatment with Jonna Eggerer ($100)
• Elizabeth Belfry, RMT, CIMT – Initial 30 minute massage treatment or use value towards infant massage lessons ($67)
• Fill Your Own – Eco-friendly lunchkit: stainless steel drink bottle, 2 stainless steel airtight food containers, reuseable lunch bag made from recycled water bottles ($50)
• Hip Baby Victoria – Gift Card ($50)
• Hudson & Saige – Gift Certificate ($50)
• Huckleberry Baby Shop – Echoes in the Attic tote bag & $10 Gift Certificate ($55)
• JamTots Baby & More Store – KangaSac Litterless Lunch System: lunch bag, 2 sandwich bags, 2 snack bags & 2 ice packs ($53)
• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family package: family session plus 3 high resolution digital negatives ($350)
• Momma Goose Baby Care – New Baby Package: All Better Balm, Bottom Balm, Massage Oil & Sun Defence ($56)
• Norwex Enviro Products – Cleaning pack: antibacterial enviro cloth, dusting mitt, antibacterial window cloth ($50)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• ROCKBEBE – Gift Certificate ($50)
• School House – Gift Certificate ($50)
• St. Margaret’s School – Back to School gift basket: SMS lunch bag, pencil case, markers, coloured pencils ($60)
• Tutu Faboo – Custom tutu, fairy wing set & fairy wand ($65)

Every visitor to the Vancouver Island Baby Fair will receive one ballot at the door, and may enter it for either one of the two Grand Prizes. Deadline for entry is Sept. 26 at 4pm (at the close of the fair). Winners will be drawn after closing and notified, plus will be announced in our e-Newsletter, blog and/or website.

Baby Races Grand Prize (Saturday) – Value: $452

• Abby Sprouts – Two onesies & $15 Gift Certificate ($45)
• Awesome Mommies – 6 month Awesome Mommies membership & onesie ($45)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – Graco booster seat ($40)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – Leather See Kai Run booties ($36)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 min. massage with Jane Podmore ($65)
• Mothering Touch Centre – Gift Card ($30)
• ROCKBEBE – Crib Shoe- baby’s first running shoe ($30)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• Tutu Faboo – Matching fairy wings and fairy wand ($35)
• Wobabybasics – Take Me Out Gift Set: Hold Me bodysuit, leggings & bandana scarf wrapped in eco box ($51)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Sunday) – Value: $493

• Abby Sprouts – Two onesies & $15 Gift Certificate ($45)
• April Showers Cakes – Neutral design diaper cake ($40)
• Bellies in Bloom Maternity – Leather See Kai Run booties ($36)
• Bo Dene’s Art – Gift Certificate ($30)
• Elements of Health Centre – 45 min. massage with Jane Podmore ($65)
• Elizabeth Belfry, RMT, CIMT – Initial 30 minute massage treatment or use value towards infant massage lessons ($67)
• Mothering Touch Centre – Gift Card ($30)
• ROCKBEBE – Crib Shoe- baby’s first running shoe ($30)
• Rosemary Brown-Tucker, RMT – CranioSacral Therapy session for baby or child ($75)
• School House – Gift Certificate ($30)
• Wobabybasics – Ready for the World gift set: Tickle Me all-in-one, Messy Me burp bib wrapped in eco box ($45)

Babies aged 5-11 months race in heats of 4-5 babies. Winner of each heat will receive a Savvy Squirrel Coupon Book ($10 value) and will move on to the final race. Final race winner’s family will receive the grand prize.

Photo Contest Grand Prizes

A $10 donation to the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society will get your chid an on-site portrait shoot with Jennifer Jonker Photography, a 5×7 print from your session after the fair, and enter you in the contest. One winner will be chosen in each of two categories: Baby (0-24 months) and Child (2-6 years)

Winner of Baby (0-24 months) category:

• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family & Baby session plus 4 high resolution digital negatives & 2 11×14 mounted portaits ($695 value)
• BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation – $100 “Room Makeover” Gift Certificate from Cloverdale Paints
• Become the poster child for our next Baby Fair in Victoria
• Appear on the cover of Island Parent Magazine

Winner of Child (2-6 years) category:

• Jennifer Jonker Photography – Family & Baby session plus 4 high resolution digital negatives & 2 11×14 mounted portaits ($695 value)
• ROCKBEBE – Gift Certificate ($100)

At each of our events, the Vancouver Island Baby Fair partners with a local charity to benefit from fundraising through donations at the stroller parking, face painting, and the photo contest. For the upcoming Victoria fair on September 25 & 26, 2010, we have chosen the Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society. The following post was contributed by the GVDSS.

By Carol N.

The Greater Victoria Down Syndrome Society is thrilled to be this year’s charity of choice for the Baby Fair!  We are very excited to be able to advocate for our wonderful members, raise awareness about Down syndrome, and share in the joy and excitement of the Baby Fair with all of you!

This year we will have some art cards for sale at the booth.  The purpose of the art cards is to raise awareness about the GVDSS, while at the same time raise money to help support one of our very special programs:  Music Therapy, which is run in collaboration with Dr. Johanne Brodeur at the Victoria Conservatory of Music.

On a Personal Note:  Our Story

When our son Aidan came into our lives, many people said, “God gives these kids to special families.”  I didn’t contradict them, but I did think they had it backwards.  I felt very certain that Aidan would make us live a better life.  Now, four years later, I stand by that notion.

Aidan reminds us not to take life for granted.  He reminds us to celebrate life, give thanks for all that we’ve got, and not to sweat the small stuff.   Our family and friends rally around Aidan.

We celebrate each of his accomplishments – like walking at three years of age; trying to go potty; using sign language to communicate with us; putting words together; learning to drink from a straw; doing fingerplays and action songs; kicking a soccer ball;  cheering for his preschool teacher at circle time; and blowing a kiss to the check-out lady.

Since Aidan’s birth, I’ve had an opportunity to meet a lot of people who have a person with Down syndrome in their life.  I’m reminded that our children are all unique, and all special.  They are not cookie-cut outs of each other – they are as individual as you and me.  In each of those conversations, one thing has been consistent: not one of us would trade our children for anything; we love them just the way they are.

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.

Every person who attends this weekend’s Vancouver Island Baby Fair at Beban Park in Nanaimo will have a chance to enter for free into one of two grand prize draws, plus there are great prizes to be won for participating in the Photo Contest and Baby Races!

Grand Prize #1: Expecting Parent Package – Value $1323

• Abby Sprouts – $50 Gift Certificate
• Arbonne International- $50 Gift Certificate
• Creative Memories - $100 Gift Certificate
• Etheridge Photographic - Photo Session- includes $50 print credit (Value $200)
• Gary Anaka - Book: Your magical brain: How it learns best
• Hard Candy Baby Boutique - $100 Gift Certificate
• Huckleberry Baby Shop - $50 Gift Certificate
• Hudson & Saige - $50 Gift Certificate
• Nicole Williams Photography - “1-2-3” Photography Package: Maternity, newborn & 6-12 month portrait sitting plus 8×10 enlargement & online album (Value $199)
• Organic Family Natural Home – “I am Organic” Onezie, All Natural Baby Bliss Salve, Monster Away Spray & Sun Bliss Sunscreen  (Value $57)
• Sacred Baby - Sacred Baby Pouch Sling (Value $65)
• SeaSide Studios - Portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital prints (Value $300)
• Tokyo Baby - Leg warmers & 2 Kids Monkey Pants (Value $58)

Grand Prize #2: New Parent Package – Value $1396

• Abby Sprouts - $50 Gift Certificate
• Apples to Oranges Consulting - Selection of gluten-free, dairy-free snacks & goodies (Value $50)
• Arbonne International - $50 Gift Certificate
• Bellies In Bloom Maternity - See Kai Run Adelaide Boots (Value $54)
• Core Essentials Personal Training & Rehabilitation – One month (8 sessions) Baby Stroller Bootcamp Classes (Value $95)
• Hard Candy Baby Boutique - $50 Gift Certificate
• Mabel’s Labels - Big Combo label package (Value $55)
• Hudson & Saige - $50 Gift Certificate
• Maman Bidule - $65 Gift Certificate
• Nicole Williams Photography - Family portrait sitting, 12×18, 2 8×10 & 4 5×7 prints (Value $395)
• Oma Gosh! Designs - $50 Gift Certificate
• SeaSide Studios - Portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital prints (Value $300)
• U-Weight Loss Clinic - U Weight Loss protein powder: Whey Vanilla Flavour (Value $60)
• West Coast Strider Sales – 1x 750ml stainless steel water bottle, 1x 250ml stainless steel water bottle and a childs size WestCoast Strider T-shirt plus $20 gift certificate (Value $50)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Saturday, June 5) – Value $285

• Arbonne International - $50 Gift Certificate
• Bellies In Bloom Maternity - See Kai Run booties- Ainsley Sandal size- 12-18 months (Value $39)
• Gary Anaka - Book: Your magical brain: How it learns best
• Mabel’s Labels – Camp/School label package (Value $34)
• Peekinz Baby - Footed playsuit with Peekinz pocket (Value $30)
• Tupperware - Divided feeding dish, sippy cup, Ideal bowl and snack cup (Value $30)
• Water’s Edge Organics - Natural wood teether & organic cotton onesie 6-12 months (Value $50)
• West Coast Strider Sales – Gift bag with Strider t-shirt, kids water bottle, adult water bottle & frisbee (Value $30)

Baby Races Grand Prize (Sunday, June 6) – Value $344

• Arbonne International - $50 Gift Certificate
• Discovery Toys - “My blankie” book & yellow fleece blanket & $10 Gift Certificate (Value $45)
• Gary Anaka - Book: Your magical brain: How it learns best
• Kit n’ Caboodle Quality Children’s Consignment - $30 Gift Certificate
• Nicole Williams Photography - Portrait sitting & 8×10 enlargement (Value $105)
• Playpants - Playpants Original Bloomers in “Sail” & “Cocoon” (Value $32)
• Tupperware - Divided feeding dish, sippy cup, Ideal bowl and snack cup (Value $30)
• West Coast Strider Sales – Gift bag with Strider t-shirt, kids water bottle, adult water bottle & frisbee (Value $30)

Plus the winner of each Baby Race heat will get a $10 Gift Certificate to Hard Candy Baby Boutique!

Photo Contest prizes

A winner will be chosen in each of two categories: 0-24 months and 2-6 years old. Winner in each category receives a $300 Portrait Package including a portrait session, 11×14 enlargement & 10 5×7 digital negatives from SeaSide Studios – our official Photo Contest photographer!

Footage shot at the 2009 Vancouver Island Baby Fair in Victoria, BC.

Many thanks to Gerry Reimer Productions for shooting and editing the video!

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.