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Hands Across the Water
September 19–21, 2025
Salt Spring Island & the Orcas Island + Surrounding Islands
Hands Across the Water is coming this fall —and you’re invited to be part of it.
From September 19–21, Salt Spring Island will welcome over 100 visiting boats and their crews from Orcas and the surrounding San Juan Islands for a weekend of connection, culture, and community. This cross-border flotilla kicks off with a symbolic mid-channel handshake, followed by a guided arrival into Ganges and a weekend full of shared celebration.
BUY PASSPORT TICKET HERE
See full passport details below
Taking place the weekend of September 19–21, this unique event kicks off with a mid-channel meeting at the international border near Bedwell Harbour—where Canadian and U.S. vessels will raft up and share a symbolic handshake of friendship, unity, and neighbourly goodwill. Media will be there to capture this historic moment.
From there, the flotilla will travel together into Ganges Harbour, where Salt Spring will warmly welcome over 100 visiting boats from Orcas Island for a weekend of connection, collaboration, and celebration.
Weekend Highlights
Friday, September 19
Meet the Flotilla aboard the Providence (2–5 PM, $150 CAD) – 3-hour cruise from Ganges Harbour to Welbury Bay for the historic handshake.Tickets
Welcome the Flotilla in Your Own Craft (3:30 PM) – Join the on-the-water celebration in Welbury Bay.
Up Spirits Cocktail Party & Opening Ceremonies (5:30–7:30 PM, $35 CAD) – Tastings from local distilleries, cideries, wineries, and live music by Everyday People. Opening ceremonies at 6:30 PM. Tickets
Saturday, September 20
Car Show (9 AM–12 PM) – Location TBC
Sailing Regatta (12–4 PM) – Ganges Harbour
Community Soccer Match (1–3 PM) – Salt Spring Elementary
Sistering Events & Island Tours – Schools, farms, libraries, museums, land trusts
Tug Boat Cruise & VIP Concert Seating (3:30–7:30 PM, $135 CAD) – Drinks, snacks, and live music aboard Nootka Rose. Tickets
Floating Concert: The Boom Booms (5–7 PM, Providence anchored off Centennial Park) – Guest: Safiya Labelle. Biergarten opens 4:30 PM. Suggested donation $15–30 CAD. Donate
Taste of Salt Spring – Participating vendors offer special dishes and drinks to celebrate this weekend of connection.
Sunday, September 21
Community Pancake Breakfast & Closing Ceremonies (9–11 AM, Centennial Park) – Entertainment by Tony Lee and Blackberry Blossom. Suggested donation $10 CAD. Donate
Charter the Providence (11 AM–2 PM, $160 CAD) – 3-hour scenic cruise through the Gulf Islands. Tickets
Whether by land or sea, Hands Across the Water is a joyful celebration of islander spirit, cross-border friendship, and late-season local vitality. All are welcome—come be a part of this first-of-its-kind gathering!
FULL EVENT DETAILS + TICKETS |
Hands Across the Water Weekend PassportPurchasing a Passport to Hands Across the Water gives you access to three unforgettable days of music, community, and connection on Salt Spring Island.
Experiences Included with Your Passport
Your Passport to Salt SpringYour Passport is more than just a keepsake—it’s your all-access pass to the weekend. Every Passport holder receives a Passport Package, designed to make your experience seamless, fun, and full of surprises:
Your Passport ensures smooth entry into events and helps participating businesses recognize and welcome you with discounts, special offers, and gifts. It’s your personal guide to exploring Salt Spring, enjoying the weekend’s festivities, and making memories that last long after the event ends. Youth Admission: Kids and teens under 19 are free. (Registration required) Important Dates: • September 5 – Last day to purchase T-shirts and receive a commemorative gift with your Passport. |
DONATE TO SUPPORT THE EVENT AND REGIONAL RESILIENCEThis wonderful event has been made possible by donations, discounts, generosity and the hard work of so many people on both islands! Proceeds from your purchase of a Passport support the performers, event costs, labor, and even ticket aid for those attending who are experiencing economic hardship. Any proceeds beyond these expenses will support Transition Salt Spring - an organization on Salt Spring Island focused oncreating a resilient community on Salt Spring through affordable housing, food security, watershed protection and water conservation, and protecting the natural environment. Hands Across the Water wants to strengthen the reciprocal relationship of our islands and our ability to adapt to the future, together, as regional neighbours who will depend on each other. SALT SPRING LOCALS
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FRIDAY, Sept 19th |
| Meet the Flotilla aboard the Providence – $150 CADFriday, September 19, 2025 | 2:00–5:00 PM Set sail from Ganges Harbour on a 3-hour cruise aboard the historic Providence, captained by Salt Spring’s own Léo Tabourel. Join this special voyage to meet the fleet of ships crossing from Orcas Island, and raft up together in Welbury Bay for a historic handshake and greeting between sailors. This unique maritime experience combines spectacular island scenery with the thrill of a once-a-year cross-island sailing tradition. Tickets are limited—reserve your spot for a memorable afternoon on the water! |
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| Welcome the Orcas flotilla in your own craft
Welcome the Orcas flotilla in your own craft! Join the on-the-water celebration as boats from both sides of the border meet promptly at 3:30pm in Welbury Bay for a joyful display of friendship and connection. Bring your vessel and be part of this unique gathering on the Salish Sea. |
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| Up Spirits Cocktail Party & Opening Ceremonies – Centennial ParkFriday, September 19, 2025 | 5:30–7:30 PM | Tickets: $35 CAD Kick off the weekend with a spirited evening in Centennial Park. Enjoy tastings from local distilleries, cideries, and wineries, including Salt Spring Wild Cider, Ciderworks from the Salt Spring Apple Company, Sweetwater Distilling Co., and Garry Oaks Winery, and more. Dance the night away with live music by Everyday People, serving up their high-energy mix of classic hits and fresh favorites. At 6:30 PM, gather for Opening Ceremonies featuring salty yarns and local history from special guest speakers—a perfect start to a weekend of music, community, and celebration!
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Sistering Community Conversations – Centennial Park Tent
Come listen, share, and connect with your community! |
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| Tug Boat Ganges Harbour Cruise & VIP Concert Seating – $135 CADSaturday, September 20, 2025 | 3:30–7:30 PM Take a cruise around Ganges Harbour while sipping local cocktails, grazing table from Feast Restaurant and listening to the dulcet tones of beautiful Safiya Labelle on Captain Betsy Wareham’s Nootka Rose. After the cruise, ticket holders who choose this VIP experience, will have no need to find seating in the park for the Concert on the Water. Betsy will anchor Nootka Rose so that you will have the best seats in the house to watch The Boom Booms on The Providence and there might even be some beautiful boat to boat music as Safiya joins our band from across the water! Don’t worry, the Nootka Rose has a large enough deck to push the chairs and tables to the side and become an instant dance floor. Tickets are limited so grab them while you can. |
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| Saturday Concert: The Boom Booms – 5–7pm
Celebrate Saturday night on the waterfront with a free floating concert like no other. Vancouver’s hugely popular tropical folk-rock band The Boom Booms bring their irresistible mix of folk, reggae, rock, soul, funk, and pop to Ganges Harbour. Local singer-songwriter Safiya Labelle, who blends original folk songs with soulful covers, will make a special guest appearance. Arrive early to enjoy the Beer Garden (Biergarten), opening at 4:30pm with drinks from local purveyors ($10 entry; beverages sold separately). High tide at 5:55pm guarantees the perfect setting for dancing in the park as the harbour comes alive. Hands Across the Water is about creating new relationships that strengthen the resilience of our islands. Proceeds support Transition Salt Spring’s work in affordable housing, food security, watershed protection, water conservation, and environmental stewardship. Suggested donation: $15–30 CAD |
The Boom Booms are a Canadian indie funk and soul band from Vancouver, BC, formed in 2008 by childhood friends Aaron and Sean Ross. Their music fuses funk, soul, folk, reggae, Latin, and rock, drawing inspiration from artists like Bill Withers and Damian Marley, with lyrics in both English and Spanish. The band has toured internationally, released several albums, and built a reputation for upbeat, high-energy live shows. Guitarist Tom Van Deursen has lived on Salt Spring, where he played a key role in organizing the Convergence Music Festival last fall and has led bookings at Mateada through 2024/25. |
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| TASTE OF SALT SPRINGExperience the best of Salt Spring Island’s culinary scene as participating vendors offer special dishes and drinks created to commemorate this weekend of connection. Celebrate local flavors, meet the makers, and enjoy a true taste of the island’s vibrant food and drink community. |
SUNDAY, Sept 21st |
| Community Pancake Breakfast & Closing Ceremonies – Centennial Park
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| Charter the Providence – $160 CADSunday, September 21, 2025 | 11:00 AM–2:00 PMRound-out your perfect maritime weekend by purchasing a ticket for a cruise on the Providence. Tour the vessel, learn the ropes, or just relax and take in the breathtaking sights for a three hour cruise around the Lower Gulf Islands. The S/V Providence is the oldest working wooden boat in British Columbia. Bring your own bottle of wine or favorite beverage of choice and enjoy a light lunch before you to head back to prepare for your crossing to the United States. |
Salt Spring Info Centre infocentre@saltspringchamber.com SUMMER HOURS: Monday + Tuesday : 9am - 5pm Wednesday + Thursday: 9am - 4pm Friday: 9am - 3pm Saturday + Sunday: 9am - 5pm 250-537-5252 | Salt Spring Chamber Office chamber@saltspringchamber.com Our Office is in remote mode + only Questions? See who to contact HERE We are grateful and humbled to do business on the unceded Coast Salish territories of the Hul’qumi’num and SENĆOŦEN speaking peoples. | 121 Lower Ganges Rd Big Thanks to Our Sponsors!
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