what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | July 16, 2009
It’s another fun-filled weekend and this Saturday is Canada’s Parks Day so be sure to check their site to discover what’s happening at a park near you – there’ll be everything from pancake breakfasts to BBQs to activities.
Cultural Days Festival Celebration
Friday, July 17th & Saturday, July 18th, 11 am – 4 pm, Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 1607 East Hastings Street, Vancouver
This two-day celebration is all about the public enjoying a variety of First Nations performances, cultural displays, food as well as speakers from the Olympic and Paralympic athletes: vancouver.ca
Hot Friday in Yaletown
Friday, July 17th, 4 pm – 10 pm, Yaletown, Vancouver
Yaletown will be hopping tomorrow with an outdoor beer garden, a battle of the bartenders and a summer shopathon. Wait a minute, that sounds like more fun for you than your tots, which is why Jump Gymnastics is offering up to three hours of childcare (from 4 pm – 7 pm) for kids of two and a half and up that will include gymnastics and games as well as crafts, but you need to register in advance so call them at 604.568.9690: www.yaletowninfo.com
32nd Annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival
Friday, July 17th – Sunday, July 19th, various times, Jericho Beach Park, one block West of 4th and Alma, Vancouver
A Vancouver institution, the Folk Fest is back with over 70 hours of music on eight outdoor stages from emerging and established artists. There’s also their famous Bazaar and for the kids there’s the Little Folks Village from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday with crafts, face painting, performances and more: thefestival.bc.ca
1st Annual Agoo Kids Active Day
Saturday, July 18th, 10 am – 3 pm, Kits Ice Arena, 2690 Larch Street, Vancouver
yoyomama’s one of the sponsors for this 1st annual event in support of Canuck Place. There’ll be bouncy castles, a gym circuit, a performance from Bobs & Lolo and lots more fun: www.agoo4u.com
Mike’s Critters
Saturday, July 18th & Sunday, July 19th, 1 pm & 2 pm, Eureka Lab, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
How do you feel about creepy crawly critters like spiders and scorpions? Here’s your chance to get up close and personal and face your fears (or just watch other people face theirs): www.scienceworld.ca
Slice of Summer: A Summer Extravaganza
Saturday, July 18th, 1:30 pm – 5:30 pm, Killarney Community Centre, 6260 Killarney Street, Vancouver
Slice of Summer is back and it’s bigger than ever with mascots, information booths, crafts, games and prizes – in fact the grand prize is a Nintendo Wii: vancouver.ca
Wreck Beach Day
Sunday, July 19th, 9 am – 3 pm, Wreck Beach, UBC, Vancouver
Clothing’s optional for this celebration of Wreck Beach’s naturist life style with a nude sandcastle building, kite flying, body painting, nude art show and nude volleyball tournament. Wow, that’s the most times we’ve ever written “nude” for one event: www.wreckbeach.org
Community Picnic in David Lam Park (and outdoor movie night)
Sunday, July 19th, Picnic: Noon – 4 pm, Movie begins at dusk, David Lam Park (on the waterfront Pacific Boulevard between Drake and Homer), Vancouver
We suspect there’ll be a little ghost busting going on at dusk when the movie begins (bring your own blanket or folding chair) though if it rains the showing will be postponed til the 26th, but the picnic happens rain or shine with the BC Lions, marine educators from the Vancouver Aquarium and lots more. Check out: www.roundhouse.ca
Fire Hall Open House at Firehalls #19, #20 & #22
Sunday, July 19th, 1 pm – 3 pm, #6 – West End, 1001 Nicola Street, #5 – Champlain, 3090 East 54th Avenue & #3 – Mount Pleasant, 2801 Quebec Street, Vancouver
The Firehall open houses continue so here’s your chance to check out your local firefighters, learn more about what they do and talk fire and safety: vancouver.ca/fire
40th Anniversary Celebration of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing
Monday, July 20th, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
Not only will there be a recreation of the lunar landing site in their portable Planetarium, but you can also launch a bottle rocket (do bring a 2-litre bottle with you), create your own “moon footprint”, have your photo taken in a space suit on the moon and lots more lunar fun: www.hrmacmillanspacecentre.com
HSBC Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival
Wednesday, July 22nd, 10 pm, English Bay, Vancouver
The Celebration of Light is back on July 22nd, 25th, 29th & August 1st. The music simulcast begins at 10 pm on SHORE 104fm and great viewing points include English Bay, Kits, Vanier Park and Jericho Beach: www.celebration-of-light.com
Farther Afield:
3rd Annual BC Renaissance Festival
Friday, July 17th – Sunday, July 19th, 9 am – 9:30 pm each day, Aldor Acres, 24900 84th Avenue, Langley
With a marketplace, live performances, jousting and singing – all with a 16th century theme - there’ll be something for everyone in the family to see and do: www.bcrenfest.com
Hyack FraserFest
Friday, July 17th – Sunday, July 19th, various times, Westminster Quay Boardwalk, New Westminster
There’ll be fireworks, harbour tours, entertainment, displays and a workboat parade which sounds like fun for the whole family: www.hyack.bc.ca
30th Annual Tour de White Rock
Friday, July 17th – Sunday, July 19th, various times and locations, White Rock
Sure it’s about the cycle racing, but it’s also about the Five Corners Block Party on the 18th from 11 am – 3pm, the Children’s Bike Parade on the 18th at 1 pm and the wrap up tour celebration on the 19th from 2 – 3:30 pm. Even if all you can fit in is watching the cyclists fly by it’s bound to be fun: www.tourdewhiterock.ca
Salmon Saturday – Stream Clean-Up
Saturday, July 18th, 10 am – 2 pm, 8919 Walnut Grove Drive, behind Walnut Grove Secondary School by the water park, Langley
Help improve salmon habitat and then partake of a picnic celebrating making Langley a healthier, happier community. Gloves, garbage pickers and bags will be provided. Call 604.532.3517 for more details: www.leps.bc.ca
Christmas in July
Saturday, July 18th & Sunday, July 19th, 10 am – 5 pm, Stave Falls Visitor Centre, 31300 Dewdney Trunk Road, Mission
Turn back time with interactive games and historic displays focusing on how power has helped build BC, plus you can check out the turbines and generators. We’re not quite sure where Christmas comes into it, but hopefully it’ll be cool: www.bchydro.com
Grasshoppers, Wolf Spiders and Leaf Hoppers
Saturday, July 18th, 10 am – 11:30 am, Colony Farm Regional Park, Highway #7 on Colony Farm Road, Coquitlam
This hands-on intro to insects includes games and grassland activities and you do need to register in advance by calling 604.432.6200: www.metrovancouver.org
Summerfest
Saturday, July 18th, 10:30 am – 5 pm, Wellbrook Winery, 4626 88th Street, Delta
With a farmers market, classic car and motorcycle show, blueberry festival, live music, BBQ, blueberry pie eating contest and lots more this truly is a celebration of summer. And it benefits the Delta Hospital Auxilliary, so you can celebrate summer for a good cause: www.wellbrookwinery.com
Surrey Fusion Festival 2009
Saturday, July 18th & Sunday, July 19th, 11 am – 10 pm, Holland Park (SW Corner of King George Highway & Old Yale Road), Surrey
Celebrating Canadian Culture there will be over 60 cultural pavilions showcasing music, food and dance, arts & crafts. With over 60,000 people attending in 2008, this is officially Surrey’s largest multicultural event: www.fusionfestival.surrey.ca
Medieval Faire
Saturday, July 18th, Noon – 4 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710 – 56A Avenue, Surrey
The myth and magic of the Middle Ages will be alive at this colourful medieval-style fair that includes opportunities to dress as a knight or lady and take part in crafts, games, films, music and more: www.surrey.ca
Blue Mountain Music Festival
Saturday, July 18th & Sunday, July 19th, 1 pm – 9:30 pm, Blue Mountain Park 975, King Albert Avenue, Coquitlam
In addition to music there’ll also be face painters, balloons artists and lots of refreshments, and it’s all by donation, so whether you go for a day or an afternoon you’re bound to have fun: festivalcoquitlam.citysoup.ca
Burnaby Discovery Day Festival
Sunday, July 19th, 10 am – 4 pm, 6450 Deer Lake Avenue, Burnaby
This grass-roots fest showcases arts, culture, heritage, sports and leisure through music, theatre, interactive activities and more. Catch performances from artists as diverse as Breakmen and Bobs & Lolo: www.deerlakepark.org
Pitt Meadows Regional Airport Day
Sunday, July 19th, 10 am – 5:45 pm, Pitt Meadows Regional Airport, 100 – 18799 Airport Way, Pitt Meadows
Here’s your chance to check out their air show, aviation displays, community marketplace, skydiving demos and lots more. There are even Kiddie Squadron Rides: www.mapleridge.ca
Farmer’s Feast
Sunday, July 19th, 11 am – 2 pm, Krause Berry Farms, 6179 248 Street, Langley
It’s Krause Berry Farms’ annual feast with locally produced foods and agricultural products including berries, chocolates, wines and even spa products. If that’s shopping locally we love it: www.krauseberryfarms.com
Animal Wellness Day
Sunday, July 19th, 1 pm – 3 pm, Richmond Animal Protection Society, 12071 No. 5 Road, Richmond
Get info and supplies to help your pet stay healthy and have your photo taken with your dog to support RAPS: 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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