Pack and Prep

Packing List

• Your passport, if you’re traveling to Canada.
• A notebook and pen.
• Casual, out-doorsy gear.
• Warm layers for chilly nights.
• Easy-off shoes – you will need to remove them to go indoors.
• Warm socks and/or slippers for indoors.
• Hiking boots, running shoes or other outdoor footwear.
• A rain jacket.
• Swim suit for the lake or ocean.
• Flip flops for the lake, shared bathrooms.
• A flashlight for getting to and from buildings in the evenings.
• Non-glass water bottle.
• Earplugs (in case your roommate is a snorer).

Things to leave behind

Please do not bring the following to Stowel Lake Farm:

• Perfumes and scents
• Valuables
• Animal companions

Getting to Salt Spring Island

Fireworks Factory is being held at Stowel Lake Farm on Salt Spring Island. Here are our recommended ways to get there.

Join the Carpool

We’ll be organizing some carpools to Salt Spring Island! It’s the least expensive way to get there and the journey is a perfect chance to meet friends on the way. If you’re planning to drive, please consider taking others with you. They’ll contribute to ferry and gas costs. You’ll find your road trip match on the Fireworks Factory carpool organizer website.

Driving Directions via BC Ferries

The drive from downtown Vancouver is only about 37 km, but it can take anywhere from an 70 minutes to 2 or more hours depending on road conditions. Here’s a link to a Google Map – Downtown to Tsawwassen Ferry. When you arrive at the terminal, go to the wicket that says “Salt Spring Island and/or Southern Gulf Islands”. The Long Harbour ferry trip is a slightly longer journey, but you generally do not get off the ferry once you board until you arrive at Salt Spring. Please check out the BC Ferries website and consider booking your ferry to avoid disappointment. Arrive in time for a leisurely lunch in Ganges and a 4 pm check in at Stowel Lake Farm!

The second ferry option is to go to the “Victoria/Swartz Bay” wicket and tell them you want a “Thru Fare” to Salt Spring and board the ferry going to Victoria, get off the boat in Victoria/Swartz Bay and re-enter the Victoria ferry terminal and jump on the Fulford Harbour ferry to Salt Spring Island. A thru fare does not magically get you to the front of the line, but it may help ferry staff get you into optimal positioning to leave the ferry in the first wave when you dock at Victoria/Swartz Bay. Ask Mercedes anything about the ferry.

Fly Like a Rock Star

You can fly to Salt Spring Island (YYG) from Downtown Vancouver or YVR South Terminal with Harbour Air or Seair Seaplanes. If you’re considering this route, let Mercedes know and she’ll organize a shuttle from the harbour in Ganges on Salt Spring.

Relax with a holistic massage at SLF

Coral McGowan has been massaging for over 17 years. Coral brings a deep listening, caring and nurturing presence attuning to each client’s unique needs. Coral is a graduate of Mount Royal College with diploma in Therapeutic Massage and has learned relaxation, myofascial release and sports massage.

Cat Wilson’s approach is to align and open the physical field so that you can unwind and melt. Cat’s body work combines styles of Hawaiian lomi lomi, Mayan abdominal and Swedish deep tissue massage. Sessions can have a specific or general focus, depending on your needs.

All sessions are $120 for a one hour massage, held onsite at the Marley Room. You can pay with cash, cheque or e-transfer to your practitioner. Book with Coral or Cat here.

A note about COVID-19

All Fireworks Factory participants attending events at Stowel Lake Farm are expected to abide by the Province of BC COVID mandates.