You might want to bookmark this week’s weekend guide, as we’ve got lots of ongoing events (they’re marked with an *), as well as some great one offs!

Solar Taxi at Science World
July 3rd, 10:30 – 11:30 am, Telus World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street
On Thursday morning Louis Palmer and his SolarTaxi will be pulling up out front of Science World, so if you want to see the direction green cars may be going in, you won’t want to miss this event which includes a q&a, speakers and more: www.scienceworld.bc.ca/special_events.html

Emily Carr Studioshop Sale
July 4th, 6 pm – 9 pm & July 5th, 11 am – 6 pm, Emily Carr University Concourse Gallery, 1399 Johnston St.
If you love original art but don’t have much of a budget for it, you’ll want to check out this (admittedly not kid-friendly) sale that will allow you to be one of the first to own (well-priced) works by emerging artists and designers (who will be in attendance): www.eciadstudioshop.ca

UBC Farm Market*
July 5th, 9 am – 1 pm, 6182 South Campus Road
UBC’s Farm Market is up and running for the season, and even if you don’t do much shopping, it’s a great place to visit with kids as you can check out the chickens and wander through the gardens. It’s also a great place for a picnic: www.landfood.ubc.ca

Playland at the PNE*
Open daily from 10 am, PNE at Hastings Park
Okay, this isn’t an everyday event, but Playland is open all summer including the Kids Playce with lots of rides for little ones under 60″ tall, and there’s a grassy picnic area: www.pne.ca

Vancouver Community Centre Wading Pools & Water Parks*
Weekdays, 10 am – 5 pm
It’s that time again, local wading pools are open for their cooling off business. For a full listing of all the local pool locations and hours, visit our wading pool piece from last year, you’ll also find a great list of local water and spray parks.

Hastings Sunrise Summer Kickoff
July 5th, 10 am – 3 pm, Sunrise Square Parking Lot
There’ll be a huge street hockey tourney for kids from kindergarten to grade 7, music, entertainment, special guest appearances from the Vancouver Giants and the Vancouver Police Department: www.hastingssunrise.ca

Senorita Sarita @ Granville Island Kids Market
July 5th, 11am, 12:30 pm, 2 pm, 1496 Cartwright Street
Everyone’ll be getting down with Senorita Sarita and friends strike up their lively, upbeat Afro-Cuban sounds that you may recognize from the Children’s Festival: www.kidsmarket.ca

Slice of Summer: A Summer Extravaganza
July 5th, 1 pm – 5 pm, Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney Street
There’ll be arts, crafts, games, a barbeque and special appearances by the 2010 mascots. The Killarney Youth Council puts on this event which builds community spirit with the goal to raise money to build a school in Kenya. You can also watch a movie in the park that evening en famille. For more info call: 604.718.8212

Fire Hall #3, #5 & #6 Open Houses
July 6th, 1 pm – 3 pm, various locations
Interact with your local firefighters, check out their equipment, and stock up on fire and safety info: vancouver.ca/fire

Farther Afield

Evenings in Edgemont Concert: Three Generations of Swing*
July 4th, 7 pm – 9 pm, Edgemont Village, corner of Edgemont Blvd & Highland Blvd.
Young and old alike will want to dance to the toe tapping tunes of this fun swing band. Concerts with different bands in different North Van locations continue throughout the summer: www.northvanrec.com

Abbotsford Berrybeat Festival
July 4th, 10 am – 9 pm & July 5th, 10 am – 6 pm, near HOFA
There are berries, boy are there berries – strawberries, raspberries and blueberries and there’ll be heaps of fun, so much so that we can’t fit it all in here, which is why you’ll want to check out their site: www.downtownabbotsford.com

Forest Fun for Families: Forest Treasures*
July 5th, 10 am – Noon, Surrey Nature Centre, 14275 – 96 Ave
This is the first of three free, drop-in special events over the summer. Focusing on forest treasures, there are eco-crafts, activities, games and you can walk in the arboretum, smell the flowers and more. Call 604.588.6825 for more details.

2nd Annual Lavender Festival
July 5th & 6th, 10 am – 4 pm, 2926 – 248th Street, Langley
Lavender fields forever. Wander through them and get back to nature. There’ll be games, face painting, live music and bubbles for kids and basically it’s all about relaxing: www.fullbloomfarm.ca

Once A Pond a Time
July 5th, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Campbell Valley Regional Park, entrance of 8th Ave, East of 200th Street, Langley
The park and the library come together, with a local librarian leading story time, followed by bringing the story to life with outdoor games and park exploration. This one’s for kids of six and up, but we couldn’t resist including it. Call 604.530.4983 to register.

Harrison Festival of the Arts
July 5 – 13th, various locations, Harrison Hot Springs
This celebration of music, dance, theatre and visual arts includes a children’s day on Wednesday, July 9th and sounds like a great excuse to get out of town to us: www.harrisonfestival.com

Summer Sunday Concerts at Rocky Point Park*
July 6th – August 24th, every Sunday at 2 pm, Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray Street, Port Moody
Catch loads of local musicians playing jazz, folk and soul every Sunday afternoon in July and August. You can also check out the local spray park, hiking trails and ice cream: www.smoothjazzvancouver.ca

Summerfest: Blueberry Festival, Antique Car Show & Farmer’s Market
July 6th, 10:30 am – 5 pm, Wellbrook Winery, 4626 88th Street, Delta
In addition to loads of blueberry related fun, you’ll also find a specialty Farmer’s Market, a classic car show, live music, a salmon barbeque and maybe even some wine: www.wellbrookwinery.com