vancouver: what to do, what to do?
Filed Under Events | August 19, 2010
The PNE starts this weekend which is always a bit bittersweet as it means summer’s drawing to a close but it also means lots of fun. And this year it’s their 100th Anniversary so they have lots of special events planned, including a huge parade on Friday, you’ll find the details below. And here are our handy tips for making the most of your time there! There’s heaps more family fun all around town too.
Kitsfest 2010 The Sports and Healthy Living Festival
Friday, August 20th to Sunday, August 22nd, 11 am – 7 pm, Kitsilano Beach, 1500 Yew Street, Vancouver
They’re hoping to start a new summer tradition with this Beach Tennis tournament that also includes 70’s retro Motown music from some of the city’s best DJs; signature food and bevies from the like of The Boathouse, Milestones and Vera’s Meats; and a Kids Zone with obstacle courses, games and face painting: kitsfest.com
Mindful Eating for Babies and Families
Friday, August 20th, 2 pm, Cambie Whole Foods @ Broadway, Vancouver
Learn the practical basics for introducing whole foods to your baby from Victoria Pawlowski, registered dietician and family counsellor. There’s no charge but be sure to register in advance via email: vanessa.pratt@wholefoods.com
100th Anniversary PNE Parade
Friday, August 20th, 7 pm, Beach Avenue to Sunset Beach, English Bay & Stanley Park, Vancouver
In honour of the PNE’s 100 years this one-of-a-kind parade will pay tribute to all the memories and highlights of past fairs with giant parade balloons a la Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and more than 2000 performers: www.pne.ca
Saturn 5 Saturday at the Space Centre
Saturday, August 21st, 11 am – 2 pm, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver
It’s going to be explosive at the space centre as kids build and blast off their own rockets. All you have to bring is an empty two-litre plastic pop bottle, they’ll provide everything else you need. There’ll also be giveaways from White Spot: www.hrmacmillanspacecentre.com
Vancouver Maritime Museum at Science World
Saturday, August 21st & Sunday, August 22nd, outside of Treasure!, 11 am – 3 pm, Science World at TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
The Maritime Museum and Science World have teamed up to demonstrate what it would have been like to live and work aboard a sailing ship 200 years ago. Hopefully they’re not planning to press gang your tots: www.scienceworld.ca
Flicka Gymnastics Open House
Saturday, August 21st, 3 pm – 6 pm, Harry Jerome Rec Centre, 123 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver
North Van’s Flicka Gymnastics is having an open house so you can check out their programs for boys and girls of all ages. There’ll be a bouncy castle, trampoline, foam pit and even goodie bags when it’s all over: www.flickagymclub.com
Mountain View Cemetery Bike Tour
Sunday, August 22nd, 10 am, Mountain View Cemetery, 5455 Fraser Street, Vancouver
Wheel through 124 years of history and take in all of the cemetery’s 106 acres. It starts at Celebration Hall in the cemetery: vancouver.ca
HSBC VanDusen Family Program, Sculpture in the Garden
Sunday, August 22nd, 10:30 am – Noon or 1:30 pm – 3 pm, VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street (37th & Oak St.), Vancouver
Kids from five to 12 are invited to Zimsculpt where they explore the Garden’s artwork and make their own modeling clay masterpieces to take home. Be sure to preregister by emailing familyprograms@vandusen.org or calling 604.718.5898: vancouver.ca
“Bobs & Lolo” at the Roundhouse
Sunday, August 22nd, 11 am – Noon, Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre,181 Roundhouse Mews (Davie & Pacific), Vancouver
If you don’t have your tickets for this hot event yet be sure to snag ‘em soon and it’s expected this action packed concert featuring Bobs & Lolo will sell out: www.roundhouse.ca
Green Product Swap
Wednesday, August 25th, 2 pm – 6 pm, Park Royal Whole Foods Market, 925 Main Street, West Vancouver and the Capers Whole Foods Market, 1675 Robson Street, Vancouver
Local green cleaning company, Aspen Clean, has teamed up with Capers Whole Foods for a product swap. You bring in a conventional household cleaning product and trade it for a sustainable, Ecocert approved replacement: www.aspenclean.com
Farther Afield:
Discovery Day
Thursday, August 19th, 10 am – 2 pm, Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 – 96 Avenue, Surrey
There’ll be nature guides getting you started with your discoveries in the forest at this free, drop-in event where you can check out the museum exhibits, create an eco-craft and more: www.surrey.ca
Willingdon Community Day Fair
Thursday, August 19th, 5:30 pm – 8 pm, Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Avenue, Burnaby
Join in carnival games, raffles, a BBQ, displays, live entertainment and more: www.burnaby.ca
Movies at Civic Square
Thursday, August 19th, 8:30 pm – 10 pm, Civic Square, Burnaby
No matter what the weather the show will go on tonight. Be sure to bring your own blanket: www.city.burnaby.bc.ca
Greater Vancouver Zoo – 40 Wild & Wonderful Years Celebration
Friday, August 20th to Sunday, August 22nd, 9 am – 7 pm, Greater Vancouver Zoo, 5048 – 264th Street (500 metres south of the Trans Canada Highway, at Exit # 73), Aldergrove
The Zoo – which opened as the World Wide Game Farm in 1970 – is celebrating 40 years with an official opening and cake cutting ceremony, storytelling, the Abbotsford Heat, tours and contests. Visit their site to find out when all the fun is happening: www.gvzoo.com
Richmond Maritime Festival 2010
Friday, August 20th, Noon – 5 pm, Saturday, August 21st & Sunday, August 22nd, 10 am – 5 pm, Britannia Shipyard, National Historic Site, 5180 Westwater Drive (Southfoot of Railway Avenue), Richmond
Richmond’s history is steeped in maritime lore and here’s your chance to take in maritime exhibits such as knot tying, rope making, model boat building and more. There’ll also be live entertainment (think sea shanties) and a floating exhibit of boats, including a 1930s rum-runner and lots more fun: www.richmond.ca
Semiahmoo Family Place: Bobs and Lolo Concert with Chris Hamilton & Korki the Clown
Friday, August 20th, 1 pm, White Rock Baptist Church, 1657 140th Street, South Surrey
Semiahmoo Family Place will be hopping with fun, face painting, games, food and great live entertainment from Chris Hamilton at 2:30 and Bobs & Lolo at 4 pm: www.semiahmoofamilyplace.com
Party in the Park: Fairy Tale Night
Friday, August 20th, 5 pm – 8 pm, Central Community Park, corner of Victoria & Young, Chilliwack
There’ll be entertainment, a night market featuring local vendors and artisans and a family fun zone complete with clowns, crafts, mini golf, bouncy castles and more: www.downtownchilliwack.com
Sunnyside Acres Heritage Walk
Friday, August 20th, walk #1 begins at 6 pm, walk #2 begins at 7 pm, Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest (Meet at the Whalley Ross parking lot on 24th Ave between 144 and 148 Streets), Surrey
Take a free guided nature walk, learn about park ecology and meet your neighbours. Plus there’ll be nature games and crafts for kids: www.surrey.ca
ArtsAlive! Festival
Saturday, August 21st, Fraser Highway between 204th & 206th, Langley
Get steeped in visual and performing arts including fine arts, artisans and crafters, a multicultural venue, first nations display and fun children’s activity area: www.downtownlangley.com
Steveston Dragon Boat Festival
Saturday, August 21st & Sunday, August 22nd, see schedule for times, Brittania Heritage Shipyard, Steveston Village, Richmond
Running simultaneously with the Richmond Maritime Festival (see above), Steveston Village and the Fraser River will come alive with dragon boats, entertainment, a Saturday evening concert and more: dragonboatbc.ca
Huge Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, August 21st, 9 am – 1 pm, Cloverdale Fairgrounds, 6050 176th Street, Cloverdale
We hear great things about this monthly swap meet where you can find new and used kids toys, clothing, books and gear. Great for buying and selling: www.usedvancouver.com
Safer Communities Day – Langley
Saturday, August 21st, 11 am – 2 pm, George Preston Recreation Centre, 20699 – 42 Avenue, Langley
Learn how to be safe at home and in your community. There’ll be a bike obstacle course, child car seat inspections, fire safety and identity theft info, child DNA kits and lots more safe stuff – including a free bike draw: www.tol.ca
Minnekhada Art in the Park Festival
Saturday, August 21st & Sunday, August 22nd, 11 am – 4 pm, Minnekhada Lodge, Minnekhada Regional Park, Coquitlam
Get artistically inspired checking out art, listening to jazz, watching live entertainment, exploring the gardens and getting crafty in the children’s area: www.bmn.bc.ca
Movies under the Stars: The Last Song (with Miley Cyrus)
Saturday, August 21st, events begin at 4:30 pm, movie begins at dusk, Holland Park, King George Boulevard and Old Yale Road, Surrey
Crafts and activities start at 4:30, the movie itself begins at dusk. The North Surry Lions Club is throwing a BBQ but you bring your own picnic along too: downtownsurreybia.com
Starry Night
Saturday, August 21st, 7 pm – 10 pm, Deas Island Regional Park, Delta
The night will be alight with starlight, lanterns, shadows, magical creatures, drumming, storytelling and more: www.corp.delta.bc.ca
Falconry Show & Raptors in Richmond
Sunday, August 22nd, 11 am 4 pm, Terra Nova Rural Park, 2431 Westminster Hwy, Richmond (follow signs from Westminster Hwy & No. 1 Road), Richmond
Kids of all ages will enjoy these breathtaking falconry displays set in the Terra Nova Regional Park. Demos happen at 11:30 pm, 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm: www.richmond.ca
RMCS Community Festival & Fundraiser
Sunday, August 22nd, 11 am – 4 pm, King George Park Gathering Place, 4100 No 5 Road, Richmond
The RMCS is throwing their first annual community fundraiser with food, games and fun: www.richmond.ca
Children`s Workshop: Sensory Walk in the Garden
Tuesday, August 24th, 10 am – 11 am, Inspiration Garden (corner of Guildford Way & Pipeline Road), Town Centre Park, Coquitlam
Kids from three to eight can take a tour around the Inspiration Garden which they’ll explore and learn through their senses. They’ll also plant a small potted container to bring home with them: signmeup.coquitlam.ca
Summer Drive-in Movies @ Coquitlam Centre
Wednesday, August 25th, 6 pm – 11:30 pm, Coquitlam Centre (H&M/Zellers Parking Lot, by Pinetree Way), Coquitlam
It’s How to Train Your Dragon at this family movie night and it all starts at dusk: www.coquitlamcentre.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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