vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | July 29, 2010
It’s a long weekend in honour of our fair province and the city’s a bit quieter than usual, but there’s still lots of fun to take in. And don’t forget all the ongoing summer fun.
2010 Harmony Arts Festival
Friday, July 30th – Sunday, August 8th, see schedule for times and locations, West Vancouver
It’s the 2010 Harmony Arts Festival with programs, events and concerts along West Van’s waterfront. And it’s all free. Children’s programs include Bobs & Lolo, Chris Hamilton and Shé, among others and on Saturday the 7th it’s Coast Capital Savings Creative Kids Day with arts stations, roving performers, the Kerplunks and lots more: www.harmonyarts.ca
Science World: Gold Panning and Gold Medals
Saturday, July 31st – Monday, August 2nd, Science World at TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Yukon Dan will be on hand as you pan for gold and other metals and get up close and personal with minerals to see if they’re fool’s gold or true treasure. And if gold’s not your thing you can also learn about our treasured sports heroes: www.scienceworld.ca
BC Day Weekend at the Granville Island Kids Market
Saturday, July 31st – Monday, August 2nd, various times, Granville Island Kids Market, 1496 Cartwright Street, Vancouver
Hit the island and check out Rainbow the dragon at Noon, 1 pm and 2 pm each day, get tempted by the Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue on the 2nd, take part in the Child Find Programs’ Child ID Booklet and Fingerprinting Clinics at 11 am and 4 pm, get your face painted, take some rides and more: www.kidsmarket.ca
Carnaval Del Sol – Latincouver’s Soccer Tournament
Saturday July 31st, 10 am – 8 pm, Strathcona Park, 800 Prior Street, Vancouver
In World Cup withdrawal? The whole family will enjoy this soccer tournament and festival that includes games, music, a market and Latin American food: www.latincouver.ca
Powell Street Festival
Saturday, July 31st – Sunday, August 1st, 11:30 am to 7 pm, Oppenheimer Park, 400 Block of Powell Street, Vancouver
The theme for this year’s largest Japanese Canadian festival is Park/Koen focusing on neighbourhood, youth, children, the park and its landscape as they return to their roots at the newly renovated Oppenheimer Park. Featuring performances of dance, martial arts and music and lots of yummy Japanese food there’s also a children’s tent open from noon – 5 pm each day that’ll be busy with origami, mask-making and hat-making as well as tug-of-wars and a watermelon game: www.powellstreetfestival.com
Vancouver Pride Parade
Sunday, August 1st, Noon, Robson & Thurlow, Parade Route, Vancouver
There are floats, fun and an expected crowd of over 500,000 at this must-see event celebrating equality and diversity: www.vancouverpride.ca
BC Day Activities at the Maritime Museum
Monday, August 2nd, 10 am – 5 pm, 1905 Ogden Avenue, Vancouver
There’ll be free family crafts throughout the day and it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a picnic in Vanier Park, board the ex-forest service vessels moored in Heritage Harbour and take in the museum. Kids under 18 are free when accompanied by a paying adult: www.vancouvermaritimemuseum.com
Robin Hood – A Promenade Play
Wednesday, August 4th – Saturday, August 7th, Tuesday, August 10 – Saturday August 14th and Tuesday, August 17th – Thursday August 19th, 7 pm, Queen Elizabeth Park—meet at the entrance to the Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver
ITAZOO – the company behind Grimm Tales, The Road to Canterbury, Alice in Wonderland, A Midsummer Nights’ Dream – is producing this irreverent adaptation of Robin Hood that’s performed in the promenade-style where the audience follows the marry men on their adventures. You can get your tickets at the Bloedel Conservatory: www.itsazoo.org
Farther Afield:
Abbotsford Agrifair
Thursday, July 29th – Monday, August 2nd, see schedule for times, Abbotsford Exhibition Park, Abbotsford
They’re celebrating 100 fairs this year with animal displays and shows, a KidZone, a rodeo, acts such as the Flying Fools High Dive and lots, lots more fun: www.agrifair.ca
Eco Kids: Going Batty
Thursday, July 29th, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm, 4887 221 Street, Langley
Kids from five to 12 can come out and discover all about bats, build a bat box and test their echolocation skills. Email demogarden@tol.ca or call 604.532.3521 to hold your spot: www.leps.bc.ca
Movie In The Park – Kung Fu Panda
Thursday, July 29th, 8:30 pm – 10 pm, Memorial Peace Park, 11900 – 224 Street, Maple Ridge
Catch Kung Fu Panda in Memorial Peace Park on the big screen. Be sure to bring chairs, blankets and pillows so you’re comfy for the show: www.mapleridge.ca
Tot Tour: Be a Pirate Day
Friday, July 30th, 11 am-12 noon or1 pm – 2 pm, Surrey Museum, 17710-56A Avenue, Surrey
Get prepared for International Talk Like a Pirate Day through tours, crafts and swashbuckling games. Be sure to pre register by called 604.592.6956: www.surrey.ca
Spirit of the Sea Festival
Friday, July 30th – Monday, August 2nd, see schedule for times and locations, White Rock
A weekend of free fun including a childrens’ carnival and parade, beach games, fireworks and lots of live entertainment including the Children’s Walking Parade on Sat July 31 at 10am – be sure to wear costumes and bring your decorated bike : www.spiritofthesea.ca
Brigade Days at Fort Langley NHS
Saturday, July 31st – Monday, August 2nd, 9 am – 6 pm, Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Ave., Fort Langley
It’s the Fort’s biggest weekend of the year with dozens of costumed re-enactors demonstrating heritage activities as they camp on the site and fun family games. History will come alive before your eyes with the canoe arrival on Monday: www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley
Tsawwassen Sun Festival
Saturday, July 31st, – Monday, August 2nd, see schedule for times, Winskill Park, 56th Street at 9th Avenue, Tsawwassen and the South Delta Recreation Centre 1720 56th Street, Delta
The much-anticipated local event celebrates arts and culture with a parade, children’s midway, antique fair, marketplace, fireworks live entertainment and heaps more family-friendly fun: www.shoptsawwassen.com
Heritage Day
Saturday, July 31st, 10 am – 11 pm, Memorial Peace Park, Maple Ridge
Celebrate local history with a midway, heritage games and activities, vintage cars, Haney Farmer’s Market, a craft tent and musical entertainment. And it all wraps up with fireworks: www.mapleridgemuseum.org
12th Street Festival
Sunday, August 1st, time TBA, 12th Street (between 6th and 8th Avenue), New Westminster
The street comes alive with this event celebrating food, music, heritage and its cultural diversity: www.tourismnewwestminster.com
Jamaican Festival 2010
Sunday, August 1st, 10 am – 7 pm, Holland Park, King George Boulevard and Old Yale Road, Surrey
This event will showcase the beauty and traditions of Jamaica and other Caribbean islands through reggae music, delicious food and fun games: www.jccabc.net
Ponies in the Nature Park
Sunday, August 1st, 11 am – 4 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway, Richmond
Kids from four to 12 are invited to drop in for a pony ride through the woods around the Nature Park: www.richmond.ca
Wesburn Family Picnic
Wednesday, August 4th, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, Wesburn Park, 4781 Parkwood, Burnaby
Come out to enjoy fun activities stations, the wading pool and hot dogs. No matter what the weather: www.burnaby.ca
Bobby Boogaloo
Wednesday, August 4th, 1 pm, Queensborough Spray Park, New Westminister
Catch singer, songwriter and children’s entertainer Bobby Boogaloo performing his inspiring songs for children of all ages: www.tourismnewwestminster.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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