It’s a busy fall weekend with lots of harvest celebrations and swap meets. Plus the Terry Fox Run is this Sunday and Sunday’s also International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Arrr Matey!
5th Annual “Cops for Cancer” Community BBQ
Thursday, September 16th, 11 am – 2 pm, North Vancouver Civic Plaza (Lonsdale & W. 14th), North Vancouver
Come for a BBQ benefiting Canadian Cancer Society’s pediatric cancer research and programs funded by the Cops for Cancer fundraising initiative and enjoy the festivities including the Jack FM “Trucksicle”on location, music, balloons and giveaways: www.eventfulinnovations.com
TD Children’s Charities Annual Dunk Tank
Thursday, September 16th, 11:15 am – 1:15 pm, Vancouver Art Gallery Lawn, Georgia Street Access, Vancouver
Here’s your chance to soak dunkees from TD, Ronald McDonald House and the United Way in support of Canuck Place Children’s Hospice, JDRF Ride for Diabetes, Ronald McDonald House and United Way. There’ll be a BBQ at 11:30 too: www.vancouvereventscalendar.com
Raising a Happy Kid
Thursday, September 16th, 7 pm – 8 pm, West Vancouver Community Centre, 2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Learn how to help your kids bounce back from any sadness or depression they experience in their lives with Dr. Carla Fry. This event is for parents of all ages of kids: www.drcarlafry.com
Johnny Tomorrow and the Way of the Planetarium
Thursday, September 16th – Sunday, September 19th, Thursday – Saturday at 7 pm, Matinee at 4 pm, September 19th, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, 1100 Chestnut Street (VanierPark), Vancouver
Johnny Tomorrow is an all ages one-man Fringe play that’s also part astronomy show and part laser show, all taking place within the Planetarium. Sounds ambitious and intriguing: www.spacecentre.ca
Latidos post Cuba workshop
Thursday, September 16th, 9 pm – 10 pm, Scotiabank Dance Centre, 677 Davie Street, Vancouver
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced dancer, this annual post-Cuba, all levels workshop is for you. They’ll demo new dance styles from Cuba and you can sample Salsa, Reggaeton and Afro-Curban movements. And it’s for free but be sure to RSVP via email latidos@latidosproductions.com or phone 604.708.2170: www.latidosproductions.com
Join the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Saturday, September 18th – Sunday, September 26th, various times and locations, Lower Mainland
Join this grassroots direct action conservation program started by the Vancouver Aquarium that’s all about coming together to make a difference for the environment. Check their site for a clean up near you: shorelinecleanup.ca
Whole Foods Market 30th Birthday Bash
Saturday, September 18th, Noon – 4 pm, all Whole Foods Market locations
Whole Foods is celebrating their birthday with a party that includes cake, cupcake decorating, party hat designing, colouring and prizes given away randomly through the tills: wholefoodsmarket.com
Family Bike Skills Course
Saturday, September 18th, Noon – 4:30 pm, VACC Office, 3 West 3rd Avenue, Vancouver
If you’re not comfortable riding on city streets with your tots then this is the course for you. Through classroom and on-road training you’ll learn about safe road riding, bike handling skills and why it’s important to respect the rules of the road and how to continue educating your kids on safe riding. The class is designed for kids who are riding independently (ie. not run bikes and trail-a-bikes), be sure to call 604.878.8222 to hold your spot: www.vacc.bc.ca
Collage Collage Turns One
Saturday, September 18th, 1 pm – 4 pm, Collage Collage, 621 Kingsway
We can’t believe it’s been a year since Collage Collage opened. They’re celebrating this momentous birthday with cupcakes, colouring the launch of their new Make Something Together Kits: www.collagecollage.ca
Lower Lonsdale Fall Festival
Sunday, September 19th, 10 am – 4 pm, 100 Block West 1st Street, West Vancouver
Celebrate the season with a community street party. It all begins with a pancake breakfast from 10 am to 11:30. You can also catch Bobs & Lolo on the main stage along with lots of other live acts and on their demo stage you can get ideas for cooking, gardening and belly dancing. There’ll also be street displays and activities featuring local merchants and businesses and lots more fun: www.northvancouver.com
Sharing Our Wealth – A Neighbourhood Festival in Vancouver
Sunday, September 19th, Noon – 4 pm, Douglas Park Community Centre, 801 West 22nd Avenue (between Oak and Cambie Street), Vancouver
Kids are invited to bring a green-themed LEGO creation for a chance to win prizes at this free, family-friendly event. There’ll also be rides, entertainment, carnival games, community displays and more. Please bring a non-perishable item for the Food Bank: vancouver.kijiji.ca
Farther Afield:
Agassiz Fall Fair & Corn Festival
Friday, September 17th, 4 pm – 8pm & -Saturday, September 18th, 10:30 am – 7 pm, Agricultural Hall, 6800 Pioneer Avenue & Pavilion, 6790 Pioneer Avenue, Agassiz
This fall-themed annual event includes a parade, midways, exhibits, music, animal shows and demos, antique tractor pull, logger sports and lots more country fun: www.agassizfallfair.ca
Clover Valley SoapBox Derby
Saturday, September 18th, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm, 60th Avenue, uphill from Fraser Downs (off 176 Street), Surrey
Drivers big and little are invited to design and construct their own machines as only home-built cars will be accepted at this fun, family-friendly event: www.cloverdalesoapbox.ca
Kids Swap Meet
Saturday, September 18th, 9 am – 1 pm, St. Andrew’s United Church, 9025 Glover Road, Fort Langley
Stock up on a variety of new and used items for kids (and the rest of the family too). Childcare is available for shoppers and vendors and a Health Bar (we don’t know what that is, but it sounds interesting) will be available all day too: www.kidswapmeet.ca
Walnut Grove Kid Swap Meet
Saturday, September 18th, 9 am – 1 pm, Walnut Grove Lutheran Church, 20530 88 Avenue, Langley
Here’s another swap meet offering babysitting while you shop! You’ll only find children’s items and services here. Call 604.888.1004 for more info.
10th Annual Celebration of Community
Saturday, September 18th, Fraser River Heritage Park, 9 am – 5 pm, 7494 Mary Street, Mission
The day is seriously packed with fun. It all starts with a pancake breakfast at 9 am and throughout the day you can catch the Matsqui Fly Dogs, demos on the celebrity cooking stage, the Apple Barn petting zoo, a Kids Arcade, hot air balloon rides, roaming magicians, face painting, a giant inflatable waterslide, a bouncy castle and lots, lots, lots more: www.mission.ca
The 3rd annual Abbyfest
Saturday, September 18th, 9:30 am – 7 pm, Ag Rec Building, 32444 Haida Drive, Abbotsford
Everyone’s invited to celebrate community and cultural diversity at this annual event that includes arts and crafts, fashion shows, entertainment, ethnic food and more: www.abbyfest.com
London Farm Walk
Saturday, September 18th, 10 am, London Heritage Farm House, 6511 Dyke Road, Richmond
This four to five K, 60 minute walk is stroller (but not pet) friendly so come out for a free guided walk that includes a warm up and cool down as well as light stretching: www.richmond.ca
Campbell Valley Country Celebration
Saturday, September 18th & Sunday, September 19th, 10 am – 5 pm, Campbell Valley Regional Park, 8th Avenue entrance off 8th Avenue, east of 200th Street, Langley
Styled after old fashioned fall fairs you’ll find lots to see and do including heaps of hoofed, woolly, furry and fuzzy creatures to meet; cows to milk; crafts and preserves to stock up on; live entertainment to enjoy and more: www.metrovancouver.org
Cameron Complex Celebrates
Saturday, September 18th, 11 am – 2 pm, Cameron Complex, 9523 Cameron Street, Burnaby
It’s Cameron’s 30th anniversary and they’re celebrating with a party including the official opening of the dragon eco-sculpture, a chance to check out the new playground, music and dancing, balloon twisting, toddler town, climb and play zone, arts and crafts and lots, lots more: www.burnaby.ca
Grand Opening of Creekside Community Centre
Saturday, September 18, 2010, 11am – 3pm, 1 Athletes Way, Vancouver
Creekside Community Centre in the Athletes Village is now open and they’re celebrating with entertainment, free fitness centre drop in, interactive displays, a food concession and more: vancouver.ca
Stagecoach Theatre Arts Richmond Open House
Saturday, September 18th, 11 am, St. Anne’s Anglican Church, 4071 Francis Road, Richmond
Kids from four to 16 can check out Stagecoach Theatre Arts, meet the teachers and find out more about this performing arts school: www.stagecoachschools.ca
Corn Fest in Pitt Meadows
Saturday, September 18th, 11 am – 10 pm, Meadows Maze, 13672 Reichenbach Road, Pitt Meadows
Corn’s in season and here’s your chance to celebrate with corn shucking and corn eating contests, face painting and maze fun: www.meadowsmaze.com
Lantern Making Workshop in Coquitlam
Saturday, September 18th, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm, Henderson Place Mall, 1163 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam
Kids and adults alike are invited to enter the lantern making contest by registered for this free workshop. Admire the creations and also enjoy free balloon twisting and face painting, take a bounce in the castle and more. Call 604.689.8898 for more info.
Applefest in Abbotsford
Saturday, September 18th – Sunday, October 31st, see schedule for times, Apple Barn, 333 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford
Every Saturday from now thru October 31st it’s harvest time at the Apple Barn. You can pick your own apples and pumpkins, test out the jumping pillow, tractor trail, zip ride, petting barn and more: www.applebarn.ca
City of Coquitlam’s Children’s Swap Meet
Sunday, September 19th, 9 am – 1 pm, Poirier Community Centre, 630 Poirier Street Located on the Corner of Foster Ave & Poirier Street, Coquitlam
Stock up on (or sell) kids clothing, toys and gear at this much-anticipated annual sale: www.coquitlam.ca
BBQ On The Bypass
Sunday, September 19th, 10 am – 5 pm, 20771 Langley Bypass, Langley
It’s all BBQ all day with free samples, music, entertainment, concession stands and, we’re guessing, meat: www.bbqonthebypass.com
Urban Farmers Fall Fair in New Westminster
Sunday, September 19, 11 am – 5 pm, Queensbourough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Avenue, New Westminster
If your turn up for this old-fashioned fall fair you’ll find an artisan fair, demos, a petting zoo, pony rides and more. Plus there’ll be lots of judging going on. Of veggies that is: qspc.org
Parents Night Out
Wednesday, September 22nd, 5:30 pm doors open, 6 pm – 7 pm presentation, 7 pm – 7:30 pm questions and answers and book signing, Coast Bastion Inn, 11 Bastion Street, Nanaimo
Parents of kids from two to six are invited to this free event to learn about early social development and effective parenting skills with author and educator Michele Borba. Be sure to RSVP by September 17th by emailing lpearson@sd68.bc.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!