what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | May 14, 2009
This Friday, the 15th, is International Day of Families, plus it’s the Victoria Day long weekend and fittingly Vancouver’s hopping with family-friendly fun. And the Granville Island Waterpark opens this weekend, for a full list of Vancouver’s water and spray parks click here:
Vancouver International Children’s Festival
May 11th – 18th, Vanier Park, Vancouver
It’s raining, which means it must be time for the Children’s Festival. But they never let the weather dampen the festivities. Whether you’re hitting a special event, or just heading down to enjoy the roving entertainers and free shows at the Bandshell you’re sure to have fun. And on the 17th from 10 am to 4 pm it’s Celebrate Vancouver Day, a 2010 event that’ll involve some torch lighting, music and more. The festival website has a great list of Audience Tips that’s worth checking out before you head down: www.childrensfestival.ca
Plant Exchange/Sale
May 15th, 7 am – 6:30 pm & May 16th & 17th, 9 am – 3 pm, Harry Jerome RecCentre, 123 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver
This is the 12th Annual Perennial Plant Exchange, with a chance to exchange plants from 7 am – 6:30 pm on the 15th and then hit the sale on Saturday and Sunday: www.northvanrec.com
Trout Lake Farmers Market
Saturday, May 16th, 9 am – 2 pm, Parking Lot of Trout Lake Community Centre, 15th Avenue & Victoria Drive, Vancouver
The Trout Lake Farmers Market opens for the summer season this Saturday with fresh produce, baking, fruit and more: eatlocal.org
Junior Pirate School
Saturday, May 16th, 10:30 am – Noon, Vancouver Maritime Museum, 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver
If your tot has a bit of pirate in their blood they’ll want to join Captain Nasty’s pirate school. Aimed at kids from three to five, Cap’n Nasty’ll show ‘em the pirate ropes through activities and adventures that’ll shiver their timbers. Be sure to register in advance: www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Granville Island
May 16th – 18th, varying times and location, Granville Island, Vancouver
Not only does the Granville Island Waterpark open for the season this Saturday at 10 am, but also on Saturday the Solar Powered Road Show will be outside by the Duck Pond educating kids about fishing conservation and solar power with fun games and interactive activities. And in the Kids Market there’ll be art projects all weekend long: www.kidsmarket.ca
Bobs & Lolo at the Kerrisdale Community Centre
Monday, May 18th, 1 pm, 5851 West Boulevard, Vancouver
Bobs & Lolo are putting on an action packed, musical adventure in this interactive family concert that’ll include singing, dancing and lots of fun: vancouver.ca/parks/cc/kerrisdale
Farther Afield:
Cloverdale Annual Bed Races & Kids Decorated Bike Parade
Thursday, May 14th, 5 pm – 8 pm, 176A Street & 58th Avenue, Cloverdale
The festivities start off with the Kids Decorated Bike Parade at 5 pm and the bed races begin a 6 pm and includes a charity hot dog sale. And the rodeo starts on Friday. It’s definitely a fun weekend to be in Cloverdale: www.cloverdalebia.com
Explore Like Dora: Cowpokes & Buckaroos
Friday, May 15th, 11 am – Noon & 1 pm – 2 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
As a precursor to the Cloverdale Rodeo, little cowpokes from three to five can get into the swing of things with a tour, crafts and games. Pre-registration is required: www.surrey.ca
Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair
Friday, May 15th – Monday, May 18th, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050A-176th Street
Surrey
The fairgrounds with be hopping with rodeo action, a free concert on the 17th by Chilliwack, lots of family-friendly acts on the outdoor entertainment stage, more than 30 rides on the midway, heaps of fun in the Kidz Zone, and don’t forget the bed races: www.cloverdalerodeo.com
Little Campbell Hatchery Open House Salmon Saturday – Family Creek Peek
Saturday, May 16th, 10 am – 2 pm, Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club, 1284 – 184th Street, Surrey
Here’s a chance to view hatchery operations, tour the wildlife and salmon spawning channels and find out more about the creatures that help make the Little Campbell River healthy. Call 604.532.3517 for more info: www.surrey.ca
Seaquarium Touch Tank for Kids
Saturdays, 1 – 2 pm through to May 30th, 14970 Marine Drive, White Rock
The Seaquarium is on display from 10 am to 5 pm every day, but your chance to touch snails, sea stars, sea cucumbers, crabs and other sea creatures on Saturdays is only available for a few more weeks: www.birdsonthebay.ca
Jim Lorimer Park – Grand Opening
Saturday, May 16th, 2 pm, 2338 Gilmore Avenue, Burnaby
The park’s grand opening will include speeches, presentations, the unveiling of a plaque and hopefully lots of fun: www.burnaby.ca
Victoria Day Open House
Sunday, May 17th, Noon – 4 pm, Historic Stewart Farm, 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
In honour of Victoria Day the Historic Stewart Farm will be celebrating the Queen’s birthday in old-fashioned style including Morris Dancers, tea in the garden, a chance to make crafts and, of course, birthday cake: www.surrey.ca
Victoria Day Weekend High Tea and Games & Fort Langley Lions Parade & Festival
Monday, May 18th, 8 am – 5 pm, Fort Langley
The village and the Fort will be hopping and it all starts at 8 am with a pancake breakfast, followed by a Maypole Dance, Strawberry Tea, carnival rides and lots more. At the Fort there’ll be a Victorian High Tea featuring British lawn games and more. Be sure to check their websites for times and locations of all the fun: www.fortlangley.com
Victoria Day at the Burnaby Village Museum
Monday, May 18th, 11 am – 4:30 pm, Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
With Morris dancers, Maypole dancing, a parade, kids’ crafts and a great big birthday cake decorated with blueberries and strawberries in the shape of the Union Jack, you’ll also have the chance to be presented to Queen Victoria by her ladies-in-waiting during the Queen’s Levee: www.burnaby.ca
Victoria Day at Kilby Historic Site
Monday, May 18th, 11 am – 5 pm, 215 Kilby Road, Harrison Mills
The Kilby Historic Site is at the junction of the Harrison and Fraser rivers, where the community of Harrison Mills was once found, and for Victoria Day there’ll be an old-fashioned ice cream making demo at 2 pm, plus you can take High Tea at the Harrison River Restaurant: www.kilby.ca
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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