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Filed Under Events | April 30, 2009
The weekend is packed with literary, outdoor, artistic and forklift fun and today is jeans day, so if you’re not dressed yet be sure to throw on your jeans to show your support for BC Children’s Hospital. And remember to take Sunday’s BMO Bank Of Montreal Vancouver Marathon into account when you’re planning your travels, it will affect downtown, Stanley Park and the West side.
BOOKtopia: The West Vancouver Children’s Literature Festival
Friday May 1st – Saturday, May 9th, various times and locations
West Van’s Children’s Literature Festival features authors, illustrators, poets and puppeteers. With events for everyone from preschoolers to teens, it’s a wonderful celebration of language, culture and literacy. Plus all the events, except for the puppet show, which is $5, are free. Our main image today is a little something speical Mary Louise Gay did just for Booktopia: www.BOOKtopia.ca
Science World: Robin Sather
Saturday, May 2nd & Sunday, May 3rd, various times, LEGO Gallery, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
It’s your last chance to check out the LEGO exhibit at Science World and this weekend Robin Sather, the builder of their LEGO spaces shuttle, will be on hand working on some of the exhibits and taking your questions: www.scienceworld.ca
Make It: Fashion, Art and Design Market
Friday, May 1st, 4 pm – 9 pm, Saturday, May 2nd, 10 am – 5 pm & Sunday, May 3rd, 11 am – 5 pm, The Roundhouse, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver
You’ll find ethically made, unique goodies from Canadian designers and artists including clothing (for yourself and your tot), jewelry, bags and more. All set against the backdrop of music spun by local DJs: makeitproductions.com
Collingwood School: Spring Fair 2009
Saturday, May 2nd, 10 am – 3 pm, Collingwood School, 70 Morven Drive, West Vancouver
With a silent auction, food fair, spa, a candy stall and candy walk, artisans, crafts, toys, games and lots, lots more it may be hard to fit in all the fun: www.collingwood.org
Vancouver Public Library Spring Book Hatching
Saturday, May 2nd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Alice MacKay Room, Central Library, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Here’s your chance to meet 32 children’s authors and illustrators including Tiffany Stone, Kari-Lynn Winters, John Wilson and many more. There’ll be presentations, displays, door prizes and a book sale. Mini bibliophiles won’t want to miss this free event: www.vpl.ca
Agent Story
Saturday, May 2nd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Once Upon a Huckleberry Bush, 4387 Main Street, Vancouver
Agent Story will be in store entertaining kids with her particular brand of storytelling that is all about educational entertainment, encouraging family storytelling and lots and lots of interaction. Best for kids from three to about nine, their parents will groove on the Canadian and BC-content: www.huckleberrychildrensbooks.com
Vancouver Art Gallery: Art Tracks
Saturdays, 2 pm, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Street, Vancouver
Get a dose of culture each Saturday at 2 pm with a child-oriented gallery tour aimed at kids from five to 11 led by artists, educators, scientists, musicians and more, offering new ways of looking and thinking about art: www.vanartgallery.bc.ca
VanDusen Gardens Family Programs: Nature – Mothers
Sunday, May 3rd, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
Just in time for Mother’s Day kids from four to 11 will get a chance to discover if plants and animals have mothers too. They’ll also get to take home a special treat for their mums. Pre registration is required, email familyprograms@vandusen.org or call 604.718.5898: www.vandusengarden.org
Got Craft?
Sunday, May 3rd, 11 am – 5 pm, 2205 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
With over 50 local handmade vendors you’ll find kids’ accessories and lots of goodies for yourself including jewelry, bags, cards and much more. This truly is shopping locally: www.gotcraft.com
The Bellies to Babies Celebration®
Sunday, May 3rd, 11 am – 4 pm, Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
New and expectant parents and grandparents can explore and shop for baby duds, décor and more. There’ll be lots of community and support services on hand too: www.belliestobabiescelebration.com
Brockton Prep School Spring Fair
Sunday, May 3rd, 11 am – 3 pm, Brocton Prep School, 3467 Duval Road, North Vancouver
With a silent auction, lots of games, a garden shop, a reptile show, bouncy castle, village market and loads more, you’re bound to find something perfect for Mother’s Day at the fair: www.brocktonschool.com
Play Ball: Music in the Morning
Sunday, May 3rd, 3 pm, The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, 6265 Crescent Road, UBC, Vancouver
Kid-friendly composer Rob Kapilow presents his own version of the much-loved Casey at the Bat including music, comedy, audience participation and lots and lots of baseball: www.musicinthemorning.org
Vancouver Lullaby League Mixer
Wednesday, May 6th, 7 pm, Solarice Wellness Spa, 2200 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver
Need a sitter. Here’s your chance to power through a whole schwack of interviews in one fell swoop and hopefully find the right sitter for your family: www.lullabyleague.ca
Farther Afield:
Agassiz Tulip Festival
Ongoing to Sunday, May 3rd, Mon – Fri 11 am – 4 pm & Sat & Sun 10 am – 5 pm, Chowat Road, East of Agassiz
No need to cross the border to see your fill of spring tulips in full bloom with more than 40 acres and 30 varieties of tulips, there’s bound to be something to appeal to everyone. You can also grab a cup of coffee and fresh bannock – and take some tulips home (of course!). Sounds like a fun day trip: www.tulipsofthevalley.com
Ridge Meadows Home Show: Funzone Children’s Festival
Friday, May 1st, 4 pm – 9pm, Saturday, May 2nd, 10 am – 9 pm & Sunday, May 3rd, 10 am – 4 pm, Planet Ice, Maple Ridge Fairgrounds, Corner of 105th and Lougheed Hwy., 23588 – 105th Avenue, Maple Ridge
Wow, this Funzone really is packed with…well, fun. You’ll find the Wonderdogs, a story theatre, lots of live entertainment, “make and take” craft stations, face painting, gymnasts and lots, lots more: www.ridgemeadowshomeshow.com
Doors Open: Richmond Invites Culture Vultures to Discover The City For Free
Saturday, May 2nd & Sunday, May 3rd, various times and locations, Richmond
Richmond’s throwing open the doors to everything from their heritage landmarks to modern structures, hidden gems, places of worship, artists’ studios, museums, national historic sites and more. Download a map and listings from their site: www.richmond.ca
The 12th Annual BC Championship Forklift Rally
Saturday, May 2nd, 9 am – 3 pm, Cloverdale Agriplex, 17760-62A Avenue, Surrey
Kids who are obsessed with construction equipment won’t want to miss this chance to see forklift operators from around BC competing in an event of skill and knowledge. There’ll be hotdogs, a chance to get your photo taken with a member of the BC Lions and you can also meet some BC Lions cheerleaders. And it’s all free – even the hotdogs: www.forkliftrally.com
Tri City Family Place Swap Meet
Saturday, May 2nd, 9 am – Noon, Victoria Hall, 3435 Victoria Drive, Coquitlam
You’ll find great deals on children’s clothing, toys and household items, some new and some pre-loved: tcfpnewsletter.googlepages.com
City of Surrey’s 5th Annual Arbor Day Celebration
Saturday, May 2nd, 10 am – 2 pm, Hjorth Road Park (10275 – 148th St), Surrey
Keep in touch with nature by planting trees, playing games and just generally enjoying the great outdoors: www.surrey.ca
21st Annual Burnaby Rhododendron Festival
Sunday, May 3rd, 9:30 am – 4 pm, Shadbolt Centre For The Arts (Deer Lake Park), 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
Sure it’s about rhododendrons, but you’ll also find live music, interactive arts activities, workshops, nature tours, a plant sale and the ever-popular silent auction and pottery sale: www.brags.ca
Annual Fingerling Festival
Saturday, May 2nd, 11 am – 3 pm, Noons Creek Hatchery and Skating Arena 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody
Bobs & Lolo will be sending young chum salmon on their way from Noons Creek to the Pacific Ocean, plus kids can learn about wildlife and how to take better care of the environment. There’ll be lots of other children’s activities including First Nations stencils, nature puzzles and much more: www.noonscreek.org
“Celebrate Cats” Visit Day at the Richmond Animal Shelter
Sunday, May 3rd, 1 pm – 3 pm, Richmond Animal Protection Society, 12071 No. 5 Road, Richmond
The Richmond RAPS will be celebrating all things cat with cat-related arts and crafts plus info on feline care and rescue: www.rapsociety.com
And we wanted to remind you to always call or visit the website for event info before you head out just in case any changes have been made since we posted it. And of course, have fun!
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