what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | July 30, 2009
It’s a busy BC Day long weekend with lots opportunities to get out and play.
West Vancouver Harmony Arts Festival
Friday, July 31st – Sunday, August 9th, various times and locations, West Vancouver
It’s the 19th Annual Harmony Arts Festival with programs, events and concerts along West Van’s waterfront. And it’s all free. Kids can catch Bobs & Lolo, Rick Scott and Sand Northrup’s One Woman Circus, among others and on Saturday the 8th it’s Creative Kids Day with an imagination station, face painting and lots more: www.harmonyarts.ca
Powell Street Festival
Saturday, August 1st & Sunday, August 2nd, various times, Woodland Park, 700 Woodland Drive, Vancouver
The theme for this year’s largest Japanese Canadian festival is Migration: Change & Exchange. Featuring performances of dance, martial arts and music, there is also food, crafts and a children’s tent open from noon – 3 pm each day that’ll be busy with face-painting, mask-making and hat-making as well as tug-of-wars and a watermelon game. Please note the one-time change in location from previous years: www.powellstreetfestival.com
Scream Your Face Off!
Saturday, August 1st & Sunday, August 2nd, 12:20 pm, Centre Stage, Science World, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Not for the faint-of-heart or sensitive-of-hearing, here’s your chance to out-scream your opponents in the loudest competition ever: www.scienceworld.ca
HSBC Celebration of Light Fireworks Festival
Saturday, August 1st, 10 pm, English Bay, Vancouver
Well, the show goes on rain or shine, but let’s hope the fireworks aren’t eclipsed by lightening like last week. It’s China night and they’ve been inspired by last year’s Olympics. In addition to English Bay, good viewing spots include Kitsilano, Vanier Park and Jericho Beach: www.celebration-of-light.com
Summer Spaces Celebration – Gastown Farmers Market
Sunday, August 2nd, 11 am – 3 pm, 200 block Carrall Street, Vancouver
It’s the inaugural Gastown Farmers Market and it’ll run Sundays through to September 27th – and if everything goes well, it’ll be back for a full season next year. So get out and stock up on locally grown and harvested produce, meat, seafood, baking, preserves, snacks and more. And why not take a little tour around Gastown while you’re at it: www.eatlocal.org
Vancouver Pride Day Parade
Sunday, August 2nd, Noon, Robson and Thurlow to Denman Street following along to Pacific and Beach Avenues to Sunset Beach Festival Site, Vancouver
There are floats, fun and an expected crowd of 500,000 at this must-see event celebrating equality and diversity: www.vancouverpride.ca
Farther Afield:
Abbotsford Agrifair and Rodeo
Thursday, July 30th – Monday, August 3rd, various times, 32470 Haida Drive, Abbotsford
These five days of bronco busting fun include a midway and Kidszone as well as the West Coast Lumberjacks, Rockland Dogs, the RCMP Musical Ride and lots of rodeo action (of course): www.agrifair.ca
60th Annual Sprit of the Sea
Friday, July 31st – Sunday, August 2nd, various times, 14970 Marine Drive, White Rock
A weekend of free fun including a children’s carnival and parade, beach games, fireworks and lots of live entertainment spread along the waterfront overlooking Semiahmoo Bay. We think Saturday’s Torchlight Parade at 9 pm on White Rock beach sounds fun: www.spiritofthesea.ca
Nature Storytime
Every Friday in August, 10 am – 10:30 am, Surrey Nature Centre, 14275-96 Avenue, Surrey
Let the forest inspire your child as this free, drop in storytime is guided by plants and animals found in nature: www.surrey.ca
2009 World Police & Fire Games
Friday, July 31st – Sunday, August 9th, various times and locations in the Lower Mainland
With over 12,000 police officers, firefighters and customs and corrections officers from around the world demonstrating their athletic prowess in over 67 sporting events there’s bound to be something for everyone to see. Plus the event’s designated legacy organizations are Kidsport, The Burn Fund and the Law Enforcement Torch Run: www.2009wpfg.ca
Tsawwassen Sun Festival
Saturday, August 1st – Monday, August 3rd, various times and locations, Tsawwassen
With a very fitting “I Love BC” theme there’ll be a parade, children’s midway, antique fair, marketplace, live entertainment and heaps more family-friendly fun: www.shoptsawwassen.com
Ridge Meadows Heritage Day
Saturday, August 1st, 11 am – 10:30 pm, Memorial Peace Park, 11900 – 224 Street, Maple Ridge
Celebrate local history with a Pioneer Parade, Farmers Markets, treats, heritage games and activities and more. And it all ends with fireworks: www.mapleridge.ca
Salmon Stomp
Saturday, August 1st, Noon – 9 pm, Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond
With live music, dance lessons from the Eire Born Irish Dancers and roving entertainment, this event appeals to all ages: www.gulfofgeorgiacannery.com
Blueberry Sale and Tea & Ponies in the Park
Sunday, August 2nd, 11 am – 4 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
Here’s your chance to stock up on fresh local blueberries and try the best blueberry pie in town. We sure hope it comes with a side of ice cream. Kids from three to 12 can also take a pony ride through the woods. And it’s all in support of the Richmond Nature Park Society: www.richmondnatureparksociety.ca
Wesburn Family Picnic
Wednesday, August 5th, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Wesburn park, 4781 Parkwood, Burnaby
The wading pool will be fun, activity stations will be set up and hot dogs will be roasting. Sounds like a lovely way to while away a summer afternoon: www.burnaby.ca
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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[...] World Police & Fire Games and Harmony Arts Festival that we highlighted in last week’s weekend guide. We’ve also included a few events that are even farther afield than normal, just in case [...]