Photo: Attendees at Thoroughbred: A Day At The Races.
Hidden Secrets is a blog post series we do when we want to highlight quirky, one-of-a-kind attractions, places, or events. Sometimes it’s simply something cool that piques our interest. Our goal with it? To inspire you to get out of your weekend routine, to explore new places and experience new activities. Here’s what’s happening on this upcoming weekend:
1. Thoroughbred: A Day At The Races – Vancouver:
Described as “Kentucky Derby meets the Hamptons”, Thoroughbred: A Day At The Races comes to Vancouver’s Hastings Park this Saturday afternoon. Round up a group of friends and show off your society flair, your knowledge of fine music and couture. Or use it as an excuse to drink bourbon – it’s sponsored by Woodford Reserve, after all. Thanks to Vancity Buzz to putting this event on our radar. They truly got Twitter abuzz late Tuesday night as locals frantically tried to track down hats and ascots for the occasion.
When: Saturday, August 6 at 12pm.
Website: http://attheraces.ca/
2. Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts – Sechelt:
If you fancy yourself a literary connoisseur, you may wish to spend your weekend in Sechelt for the Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts (SCFWA). Starting on Thursday and going strong until Sunday, the SCFWA is Canada’s longest running summer gathering of Canadian writers and readers. While some event tickets have sold out already (no Margaret Trudeau for you!), the majority of events are still available, including tickets to see such prominent authors as Timothy Taylor, Grant Lawrence, Lorna Goodison, Judy Fong Bates, and Johanna Skibsrud, to name a few.
When: Thursday, August 4 to Sunday, August 7.
Website: http://www.writersfestival.ca
3. BC Supermoto Race at the TRADEX- Abbotsford:
Dirt bike races are happening at Abbotsford’s TRADEX this weekend! Whether you’re a spectator, a newbie to the sport, or a serious racer, the BC Supermoto Association wants you to drop by for a Supermoto race. They claim, “We guarantee you’ll be a Supermoto fan at the end of the day”. Riders of all ages are welcome. All you need is a dirt or dual purpose bike in good working order and proper riding gear. The event is free for spectators, but you’ll have to pay fees to race – the details are on the website.
When: Sunday, August 7, from 9am-5pm.
Website: http://www.rpmsupermoto.com/
4. 8th Annual Blueberry Festival – Cloverdale:
As you might have guessed, Cloverdale’s 8th Annual Blueberry Festival is a community festival celebrating our favourite August berry. It’ll be featuring a blueberry pie eating contest and the Blueberry Arts Festival, but it’s also so much more! The festivities also include the Surrey Show N Shine car show (complete with pancake breakfast and BBQ), amusement rides, mini golf, a bouncy castle, live entertainment, a farmers market, trolley rides and a variety of local exhibitors. The events take place through all throughout the Cloverdale town centre and better yet, it’s free to attend!
When: Saturday, August 6 from 9am-5pm.
Website: http://www.cloverdalebia.com/
5. Edible Garden Tour – Powell River:
If you love gardening and eating locally, you’ll want to be in Powell River for their 3rd Annual Edible Garden Tour. The Edible Garden Tour is a great way to see how other people in the region are producing some of their own food. There will be a morning set of five gardens to visit in Lund and Wildwood, and an afternoon set of five more gardens in Westview, Cranberry, and Townsite. There will also be a food literacy treasure hunt to test your knowledge of food and gardening. The Edible Garden Tour kicks off Powell River’s sixth annual 50-Mile Eat-Local Challenge.
When: Sunday, August 7 from 9am-4pm.
Website: http://pr50.wordpress.com/
6. Chilliwack Fair – Chilliwack:
Bring the family out to the Fraser Valley this weekend for the Chilliwack Fair – the second-oldest continually-run fair in British Columbia. It’s been going strong since 1873! There will be 4-H animals, a petting zoo, a midway, one of the top-rated rodeos in British Columbia, a home and garden show, crafts, agricultural shows (including threshing demos, a tractor parade, and steam machinery), and live entertainment on the 89.5 The Hawk Stage.
When: Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7.
Website: www.chilliwackfair.com
7. Richmond Maritime Festival – Steveston:
If you love maritime culture, get yourself out to Steveston this weekend for the 8th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival. This popular summertime 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.
When: Friday, August 5 to Sunday, August 7
Website: http://www.richmondmaritimefestival.ca/
8. Langley Eats Local – Langley
Langley’s Driediger Farms hosts the 3rd Annual Sustainable Food Festival: Langley Eats Local. Come out and enjoy some great local food for the whole family right on a Fraser Valley 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 our region. And yes, the event is free!
When: Saturday, August 6, from 10am-4pm.
Website: http://www.leps.bc.ca/
9. Artists in the Park – Maple Ridge:
In celebration of Parks BC’s 100th Birthday, Maple Ridge’s Golden Ears Provincial Park will be hosting Artists in the Park at Alouette Lake’s South Beach. Inspired by the natural beauty of the park, artists from all disciplines will encourage participants of all ages to engage in activities, displays, demonstrations and entertainment. Activities include children’s art activities, a juried art show with demonstrations, and a variety of entertainment throughout the day.
When: Saturday, August 6, from 11am-5pm.
Website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/golden_ears/
10. Copper & Fire Arts Festival – Britannia Beach:
The Britannia Mine Museum will become a hotbed of geology-inspired art, live music, and entertainment this weekend as it hosts the Copper & Fire Arts Festival. Kicking off the festivities on Saturday night is the Uruguayan multi-instrumentalist, Joseph “Pepe” Danza. He’ll be accompanied by fire dancers from Carnival BonBon. Then on Sunday, here will be live music and lots of fun arts and crafts activities for kids. The event features local artists such as metal workers using copper and bronze, ceramic artists using a number of different mediums, and jewelers.
When: Saturday, August 6 at 7:30pm and Sunday, August 7th from 10am-4pm.
Website: http://www.bcmm.ca/
upcoming hidden secrets – Sargeant’s Bay on the Sunshine Coast has been a favourite of mine for a long time – a perfect horseshoe-shaped cove with piles of driftwood stacked haphazardly along a pebble beach – and most likely you’ll have the whole area completely to yourself. See my blog for a great little lunch suggestion
Comment by Jack — August 9, 2011 @ 8:41 am
Thanks for the tip, Jack!
Comment by Robyn — August 9, 2011 @ 9:36 am