Welcome to yoyomama’s weekend guide! Your go-to list of family friendly fun things to do with kids in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.
This weekend is filled with trains, trucks and blueberries…so really, something for everyone. From the Thomas Show and Shine to a Fire Truck Open House to the yummy Cloverdale Blueberry Festival, there is no end to the fun in our fair cities. And if trucks, trains and berries don’t float your boat, the always popular Harmony Arts Festival and Celebration of Light certainly will. Summer fun abounds!
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Harmony Arts Festival
Friday, July 29th – Sunday, August 7th, see schedule for event times, Ambleside Landing, John Lawson Park and other seaside venues, North Vancouver
The whole family will enjoy this lively festival along West Vancouver’s waterfront! Every summer for the last 21 years, locals and guests from across the Lower Mainland have come to relax and take in the arts, the music, and the visual diversity that is Harmony Arts. This Saturday’s Creative Kids day is sure to be a hit: www.harmonyarts.ca
Celebration of Light 2011 & Shorefest
Saturday, August 6th, 10 pm, English Bay and other choice viewing spots, Vancouver
This annual pyro-musical fireworks competition that takes place over Vancouver’s English Bay is a crowd pleaser for kids of all ages. Arrive early to find a good viewing area! The best viewing points are English Bay, Kitsilano Beach, Vanier Park, Jericho Beach, and West Vancouver. This Saturday’s show is Canada, so come cheer on the home team: www.vancouverfireworks.ca
Julius Caesar
July 29 – August 13, see site for schedule, Performance Works Outdoor Stage, 1218 Cartwright Street on Granville Island, Vancouver
This summer, Tony Soprano meets the Bard eh! Carousel Theatre’s Teen Shakespeare Program brings this classic tale of ambition and betrayal to the dark, thrilling and sometimes volatile world of a mob family drama. Come down to the Performance Works Outdoor Stage for the free production: carouseltheatre.ca
Sesame Street Live – Elmo’s Healthy Heroes
Saturday, August 6th and 7th, Thunderbird Stadium 6066 Thunderbird Way UBC Vancouver, BC
Sesame Street needs a hero. Never fear, Elmo and his team of Healthy Heroes are here. Your little ones can learn lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and your favorite Sesame Street friends will explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy and hygiene: www.ticketsmate.com
MusicFest Vancouver 2011
Thursday, August 5 to Sunday August 14th, see schedule for times and venues, Vancouver
Music lovers unit to explore extraordinary music! Music Fest Vancouver brings its annual feast of classical, jazz and world music presentations to music lovers of all ages: www.musicfestvancouver.ca
West End Cultural Festival
Saturday, August 6th, 11 am – 3 pm, Gordon Neighbourhood House, 1000 block of Broughton Street, Vancouver
The West End Cultural Festival is a free event with live street entertainment, a multicultural craft fair, community info tables, a childrens carnival with games and prizes, face painting and tattoo booths, 25 cent hot dogs, seniors tea and tarts, and a youth corner! Proudly presented by Gordon Neighbourhood House. Come join the fun! Everyone is welcome : vancouver.ca
Fossils are Fun!
Saturday, August 6th, 11 am – 1 pm, TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver
Junior paleontologists are welcome to come explore the world of dinosaurs with local naturalist Perry Poon as he talks about fossils found in BC: www.scienceworld.ca
Young Naturalists’ Club of Stanley Park
Saturday, August 6, 10am – 2pm, Stanley Park Nature House, corner of the Lagoon, at the west foot of Alberni Street, Stanley Park, Vancouver
This monthly free activity is a chance for kids and their parents to enjoy two hours of outdoor fun. Activities include hiking, games, wildlife observations, outdoor art, and more! Registration required: www.birdsonthebay.ca
Fire Hall Open House
Sunday August 7th, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Hall #8 – 895 Hamilton St, Fire Hall #12 – 2460 Balaclava St, Fire Hall #13 - 4013 Prince Albert St, Vancouver
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services is hosting a Fire Hall Open House. This is a great opportunity to meet your local fire fighters, learn what they do, and discuss and fire and life safety concerns you might have. Come for refreshments and demonstrations: vancouver.ca
Northshore Auto Mall Family Day
Sunday August 7th, Noon to 4 pm, Northshore Auto Mall, just south of Marine Drive on Fell Avenue, North Vancouver
Enjoy amusement and pony rides, bouncy castles, face-painting, live music, magic acts and much more –all for free at this fun family event. . Learn how to correctly install a child seat from the Child Seat Safety Clinic, teach your kids important bicycle safety tips from LifeCycle and gain important life-saving fire safety tips from North Vancouver City Fire Department. No fun fair would be complete without great food – so don’t miss the Rotary Club of Lion’s Gate hot dog tent and delicious sandwiches and snacks by Louis Gervais Fine Food & Catering: www.northshoreautomall.com
Picnic in the Park at Connaught Park
Sunday, August 7, Kitsilano Community Centre , 2690 Larch St at 12th, Vancouver
Who doesn’t love a picnic in the park? This fabulous event includes carnival rides, games, community booths, concession, farmer’s market, facepainting and more! Fun for the entire family. Rain or shine! If sunny, out in Connaught Park behind the community centre. If its raining, come on by the arena: www.kitscc.com
Forensic Science for Kids
August 8th – 12th, see site for schedule, Vancouver Police Museum, 240 E. Cordova Street, Vancouver
Learn how real-life detectives analyze crime scenes by taking part in the Vancouver Police Museum’s popular summer break programs. We will be hosting both our drop-in investigation as well as special forensics-themed workshops for detectives aged eight to fourteen. Each workshop goes hands-on with a different topic including: fingerprints, impression evidence (foot and tire prints), ballistics (bullets) and entomology (the study of bugs!). Looking for a truly unique way to spend a day with your family? Drop-in any day between August 8 and 11, 2011, 11 am to 1pm. Suitable for kids (and adults) of all ages: vancouverpolicemuseum.ca
Farther Afield:
Chilliwack Fair
Friday, August 5th – Sunday, August 7th , Heritage Park, 7590 Lickman Rd, Chilliwack
It’s that time of year again… its time to go to the fair! With livestock, a midway, home and garden displays and more, its time to get your farm-on and head on out to the fair: chilliwackfair.com
Thomas Show and Shine and Swap Meet
Friday, August 5th – Sunday, August 7th, Bear Creek Park, 13750 – 88th Avenue Surrey
Train fans of all ages will have a blast (or toot) at this fantastic event. Bring your Thomas the Tank engine and train favourites and run them on our specially made Island of Sodor layouts. Get points for good driving manners and redeem points for prizes. Sell your extra train stuff in the swap meet area: www.bctrains.com
Richmond Maritime Festival
Friday, August 5th -Sunday, August 7th , Britannia Heritage Shipyard ,5180 Westwater Dr, Richmond
The 8th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival celebrates all things waterfront at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard. From wooden boats to model boats, water safety to sea creatures, local lore to fishing history, the festival invites visitors to explore a spectacular heritage site and enjoy music, games, interactive exhibits, roving performers, food and much more: www.richmondmaritimefestival.ca
Langley Eats Local
Saturday,August 6th, 10 am-4 pm, Driediger Farms Market, 23823 – 72 Avenue, Langley
Come on out to the Third Annual Sustainable Food Festival. Enjoy some great local food for the whole family right on a berry farm! There will be a variety of food items to sample and purchase including: local wines, honey, flowers, music, local artisan products and of course berries! There will also be kids activities to keep them entertained. The goal of the festival is to promote local farmers, processors and vendors that are working hard to produce food in a sustainable way and to encourage citizens of the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley to shop in the region: www.leps.bc.ca
Kensington Community Fair
Saturday, August 6th, 10am-3pm, Kensington Park (Kensington & Hastings), Burnaby
Enjoy a barbeque lunch and live entertainment while visiting activity stations and interactive displays. Call 604.671.1000 for more information: www.burnaby.ca
Artists in the Park
Saturday, August 6th, 11 am – 5 pm, Golden Ears Park at the Alouette South Beach Day-use area, Maple Ridge
Artists in the Park is a special one-day celebration of art. The event takes place in Golden Ears Park, at the Day Use Area of Alouette Lake. It’s a beautiful area, right on the shores of the lake and surrounded by forests. Plenty of parking available: www.artintheparkmapleridge.com
Fire Truck Open House
Saturday, August 6th, Surrey Museum – 17710 56 Avenue, Cloverdale
Join the Surrey Professional Fire Fighters Pioneer Association and take a photo with the special, Surrey built fire truck. See other historic artifacts through guided tours. Fun for firefighting fans of all ages: www.tourismsurrey.com
Cloverdale Blueberry Festival
Saturday, August 6th, 9am – 5pm, Downtown Cloverdale
This community event is spread throughout the Cloverdale Town Centre and has many events including the Surrey Show N Shine car show, Amusement Rides, Farmers Market, Blueberry Pie Eating Contests, Blueberry Arts Festival, Trolley Rides and a variety of exhibitors: www.cloverdalebia.com
Korean Cultural Heritage Day Festival
Saturday, August 6th, 11am-7pm, Blue Mountain Park, 975 King Albert Avenue, Coquitlam
This annual festival celebrates the Korean-Canadian community in the Lower Mainland. It is a one-day festival that showcases Korean heritage through cultural performances, food, and community gathering. Koreanfest Idol: The top eigh contestants will perform on the main stage at the Korean Heritage Day Festival: www.culturecoquitlam.ca
3rd Annual Minnekhada Art in the Park Festival
Saturday, August 6th and Sunday, August 7th, 11 am – 4pm. Minnekhada Regional Park, Coquitlam
This summer event offers visual arts, live music, roving performers, arts and crafts workshops, a children’s area, the Creative Cafe, and provides an opportunity for artists of different origins and disciplines to meet and share their passion. The Festival provides a high quality event for artists to network with the public, their colleagues, and friends. Space for 32 artists has been allocated in the historic Minnekhada lodge and in tents outside surrounded by the gardens: www.minnekhada.ca
Ponies in the Park
August 7th, 11 am -4 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
For one day only giddy up on over to the Nature Park for a pony ride through the woods. Tickets can be purchased at the Nature Park on a first served basis. Rides are approximately 15 – 20 minutes long: www.richmond.ca
Blueberry Sale and Tea
Sunday, August 7th ,11 am to 4 pm, Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy, Richmond
The blueberries are ripe and ready to enjoy! Savour the best blueberry pie in town or purchase fresh scrumptious berries. Proceeds support the Richmond Nature Park Society. This event is for all ages: www.richmond.ca
Family Farm Fair
Sunday, August 7th, 10 am to 4 pm, London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Rd, Richmond
Come explore the history of one of Richmond’s first settling families: the London Family, for which Charles E. London Secondary was named after. Children can look forward to a petting zoo, pony rides, bouncy castle, a train display, several children’s crafts as well as many community display booths. Last but not least, the famous tea room and gift shop will also be open for tea and baked goodies: www.richmond.ca
First Annual Touch-a-Truck Event at Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre
Sunday, August 7 th, 11am – 3pm, Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre , 33800 King Road, Abbotsford
Beep! Beep! Steer on over to this free community event! The Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre will be holding the first annual Touch-a-Truck Event! It will be a fun, hands-on and educational for kids of all ages! See your favourite trucks up close, including: a police hummer, fire engines, city collections truck, emergency response vehicles and more! We welcome donations of non-perishable food items, in support of the food bank! There will also be a childrens activity station and a barbeque! The event will be held at the Abbotsford Entertainment and Sports Centre, right infront of the main doors: www.abbotsfordcentre.ca
Do you have an event you would like to see in our weekend guide? Then send us your details and we’ll help you get the word out. Looking for a feature listing? Contact Erin, our Director of Sales and Marketing, for more information.
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!