what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | September 24, 2009
It’s another jam-packed weekend with lots of festivals and community celebrations and Sunday the 27th is World Rivers Day so be sure to check their website for events all around the province. It’s that time of the month again too – Portobello West time that is.
Official Opening of the Trout Lake Rink
Thursday, September 24th, 5:15 pm – 8 pm, Trout Lake Rink, near Victoria Drive just South of East 12th Avenue, Vancouver
Just in case you haven’t heard, the Olympics are coming! And with them comes some great new venues, including the Trout Lake Rink and it’s official opening will include a free public skate with mascots from 6:30 – 8 pm and more: vancouver.ca
momcafé: Doing it in Style
Friday, September 25th, 9:15 am, Watermark Restaurant, Kits Beach, 1305 Arbutus Street, Vancouver
momcafé kicks off fall with tips from two inspirational mamas, Cathy Thorpe of Please Mum and Linda Hipp of LIJA style, on bringing family values into the retail fashion world for woman and children. And doing it in style: www.momcafe.net
Mindfully Feeding Your Baby
Friday, September 25th, 10 am – 11:30 am, Cambie Whole Foods Market, 510 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver
Learn the practical basics for introducing whole foods to your baby from Victoria Pawlowski, registered dietician and family counselor. Be sure to register in advance via email: vanessa.pratt@wholefoods.com
Walk 4 Mercy
Saturday, September 26th, event begins at 9 am, walk begins at 10 am, Stanley Park at Second Beach, Vancouver
This walk is all about creating awareness for young women struggling with eating disorders, self harm and abuse. Your registration includes lunch and there’ll be balloon sculpting and face painting: www.mercyministries.ca
Indian Summer Festival
Saturday, September 26th & Sunday, September 27th, 10 am – 4 pm, GE Plaza at Robson Square, Vancouver
Celebrate the change of seasons and the revitalization of Aboriginal culture at this free, family festival that includes live dancing and entertainment, a children’s craft pavilion and traditional cultural cuisine: www.aboriginalbc.com
Salmon Celebration @ Science World
Saturday, September 26th, 11 am – 3 pm, Lab A, Science World, TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
The False Creek Watershed Society will be on hand with some fishy crafts and a chance to discover the importance of salmon in BC’s ecosystems and how we can help save their habitat: www.scienceworld.ca www.scienceworld.ca
Harvest Festival
Saturday, September 26th, 11 am – 4 pm, Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House, 800 East Broadway, Vancouver
This annual fundraiser and open house includes entertainers like Puro Son, Rumba Calzada and Kunaka as well as children’s games, face painting, bingo, a cakewalk, arts and crafts and heaps more. Email kshepherd@mpnh.org for more info.
Pulse to the Podium
Saturday, September 26th, West Point Grey Community Centre, 4397 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver
Get into the spirit of the Olympics with winter sport themed carnival games, a chance to try winter sports on the Nintendo Wii, crafts and more: vancouver.ca
Sing-Along with Michael Mitchell
Saturday, September 26th, 11 am – 1 pm, ArtStarts gallery 808 Richards Street, Vancouver
Best for kids from five to 12, this free 45-minute workshop features Michael Mitchell, famed for his “Canada is for Kids” concerts introducing kids to Canadian heritage: www.artstarts.com
5th Annual Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival
Sunday, September 27th, 9 am – 4 pm, 100 block of 1st Avenue West, North Vancouver
This street fair celebrating community starts with a pancake breakfast at 9 am and the opening ceremonies and cupcake celebration are at 10:15 am. Throughout the day kids’ activities include a reptile exhibit, bouncy castle, musical entertainment, roving performers and lots, lots more: www.lowerlonsdalebusinessassociation.com
Plant Detectives: Seeds and Leaves
Sunday, September 27th, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street, Vancouver
It’s going to be a beautiful weekend for playing detective in the gardens and discovering how seeds travel, why leaves change colour and generally investigating the magic of autumn. You do need to pre register by emailing familyprograms@vandusen.org or calling 604.718.5898 : vancouver.ca/parks/parks/vandusen
Toons for Toddlers: In the Night Garden
Sunday, September 27th, 10:30 am, The Ridge Theatre, 3131 Arbutus St (at 16th Avenue), Vancouver
The organizers of Movies for Mommies have added Toons for Toddlers for kids from two to five to the mix – an hour screening time, lowered sound levels and lights left on low. And this Sunday they’re showing back to back episodes of In the Night Garden: www.toonsfortoddlers.com
Bellies to Babies Celebration
Sunday, September 27th, 11 am – 4 pm, Auditorium I, Main Level, Croatian Cultural Centre, 3250 Commercial Drive, Vancouver
Here’s a chance for new and expectant parents and grandparents to shop for baby and connect with community resources and support services. Plus the first 100 moms in attendance will receive a complimentary diaper bag thanks to New & Green Baby Co.: www.belliestobabiescelebration.com
Word on the Street Festival
Sunday, September 27th, 11 am – 5 pm, Library Square, 350 West Georgia Street, Vancouver
Vancouver’s largest celebration of books and reading includes heaps of family activities including a giant wordsearch, a kids’ tent, a family literacy tent and a kids only scavenger hunt. Lots of fun for those with literary leanings: www.thewordonthestreet.ca
Healthy Bodies & Healthy Sexuality: The Sexual Development of Children Workshop for Families
Wednesday, September 30th, 4 – 8 year olds & adult caregivers: 6:30 pm – 7:15 pm, nine – 12 year olds and adult caregivers: 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, St. Andrew’s-Wesley United Church, 1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver
These science-oriented family sessions are designed to give the whole family a common base of knowledge that’ll encourage ongoing discussions at home and help children feel comfortable with their bodies: www.standrewswesleychurch.bc.ca
Farther Afield:
Tot Tours: Choo Choo Children
Friday, September 25th, 11 am – Noon, The Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Little engineers from three to six can tour the museum’s new All Aboard exhibit (see below), play railroad games and check out antique rail toys. Do pre-register by calling 604.592.6956: www.surrey.ca
Beaver Watch
Friday, September 25th, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Burnaby Lake Park
Beavers are nocturnal creatures, and here’s the opportunity to find out more about these master builders of ponds, dams and canals. They work and play after dark so keep your ears peeled for warning slaps and watch for them in the water. Best for kids aged five and up: www.metrovancouver.org
Kidstuff Swapmeet
Saturday, September 26th, 9 am – 1 pm, Willingdon Center,1491 Carleton Avenue, Burnaby
There’s nothing like a swapmeet for cleaning out your kids’ closets, or filling them up again with new-to-you bargains: www.burnaby.ca
Flea Market
Saturday, September 26th, 9:30 am – 2 pm, Confederation Center , 4585 Albert Street, Burnaby
With over 50 tables of pre-loved items you’re sure to find some bargains at this free event: www.burnaby.ca
4th Annual Maple Leaf Day
Saturday, September 26th, 11 am – 2 pm, William Beagle Park 12944 – 92A Avenue, Surrey
The Mannkind Charitable Society and the City of Surrey will be enhancing the park with trees and shrubs and you can join them for music, face painting, crafts and tree planting. But of course: www.surrey.ca
Apple Day
Saturday, September 26th, Noon – 4 pm, Historic Stewart Farm 13723 Crescent Road, Surrey
Learn about all things apple – including varieties, cultivation and culture. Plus taste samples and old-fashioned apple treats, watch apple cider being made and enter the apple colouring contest: www.surrey.ca
All Aboard!
Saturday, September 26th, 1 pm – 4 pm, The Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Train fans and experts from across the Lower Mainland will be on hand for this day of talks, displays, swaps, rail-themed games, crafts for kids and more. Plus you can jump aboard their vintage fire truck and meet members of the Surrey Professional Fire Fighters Pioneer Association: www.surrey.ca
Candlelight Walk for Missing Children
Saturday, September 26th, 4 pm, Deer Lake Park, East entrance via Sperling Drive, Burnaby
Because one child is reported missing every nine minutes in Canada they’ll be lighting up the night at this Candlelight Walk for Missing Children. The walk starts at 5 pm and the Candlelight Vigil at 7 pm: www.mcsc.ca
Mid Autumn Festival at Lansdowne Centre
Sunday, September 27th, 11 am – 6 pm, Lansdowne Centre, 100-5300 No.3 Road, Richmond
The Richmond Chinese Community Society and TD Canada Trust are presenting this celebration of mid-autumn that includes a lion dance, kung fu demonstrations, multi-cultural dances, free moon cakes and lanterns and much more: www.lansdowne-centre.com
Family Sunday at the RAG
Sunday, September 27th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Richmond Art Gallery, 7700 Minoru Gate, Richmond
On the 4th Sunday of every month families can drop-in and make an exhibition-related piece of artwork thanks to the help of volunteers from Richmond Second School: www.richmondartgallery.org
Going Green:
Live Smart BC
Thursday, September 24th, 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, Renfrew Park Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Avenue, Vancouver
Learn about the province’s new Live Smart BC rebate program for energy efficiency at this free workshop with all the details on accessing the grants, what type of renos make the cut and more: www.livesmartbc.ca
Healthy Home: Greening Your Home for Little Ones [www.mamamaven.ca]
Saturday, September 26th & Saturday, October 3rd, 10 am – 12:30 pm, Riley Park Community Centre, 50 East 30th Avenue, Vancouver
Find easy alternatives to keep your kids from growing up in a toxic chemistry lab. Get the scoop on plastics, cleaners, food and containers, bottles and sippy cups, toiletries, toys, pest control and more. Call 604.257.8545 to register in advance: www.mamamaven.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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