Pearkes Recreation Centre transforms into baby world this weekend for the Vancouver Island Baby Fair.

The two-day event is a consumer trade show that features retailers, entertainers and guest speakers.

"Our slogan is celebrating the growing family. This is a chance for people, particularly pregnant women or people with new babies, to come and see all the different shopping options and resources under one roof," said fair producer Shirley Broback. "We really try to make it family-friendly. One of the biggest things of the event is great shopping. We surveyed visitors last year and about 82-83 per cent came to shop. The companies that are participating are not ones you see every day at the mall. There are a lot of online local businesses and we actually have businesses coming from Vancouver, Montreal and Edmonton -- all gearing to our demographic, which is pregnancy to preschool."

The event kicks off Saturday (Sept. 27) at 10 a.m., and wraps up at 4 p.m., Sunday. There will be a line-up of speakers on both days, covering topics relating to pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding and snack ideas for toddlers. One of the main speakers is Gail Dahl, author of Pregnancy and Childbirth Secrets. The first 50 people who arrive at the fair each day will receive a free copy of her book.

The fair will also have a children's corner with face painting, games and activities.

"A new thing at the fair this year is baby races," said Broback, about the fun contest that runs at 11 a.m. each day. "It's going to be super cute and we have big prizes for the winners. How it works is four to five babies will crawl from one parent to the other and the first baby to the finish line goes to the final heat."

Another event back by popular demand is the photo contest. Parents can get professional photos of their baby or toddler for a $10 donation, with proceeds going to Success By 6, a local organization affiliated with United Way. A panel of judges will then determine one winner between birth and 24 months old and another between two and six years old.

Pearkes Recreation Centre is located at 3100 Tillicum Rd. The fair entry fee is $6 per person, $5 for grandparents. An extra dollar covers the cost of a weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are free. For more information, or to find out where advance tickets can be purchased visit http://www.vancouverislandbabyfair.com/index1.cfm or contact Broback at 250-686-5693.

kschoenit@oakbaynews.com