Galiano Island is home to several “prickly” crops. The sweetest of these – the blackberry – grows at least two varieties. The regular Bramble type is found on main roads and on trails as is the Himalayan variety. The Himalayan variety has larger, later developing berries that are also more protected by thorns.
For decades now, the Club has been holding a Blackberry Tea/Festival on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. No one seems to know exactly when it began, only that it is an island tradition. The Blackberry Tea is the main fundraiser of the Galiano Club.
Volunteers spend the week up to the festival making pastry for pies and the pies themselves. At the Festival one may purchase these whole pies which are fresh or frozen. Homemade soups and bread are served along with pie, ice cream, tea or coffee.
The Blackberry Festival is also the final Farmers’ Market of the season.
