The VanDusen Plant Sale, 2011. Source: Nancy Wong via Flickr.
No weekend plans? Let us help! From the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver to boat building contests on the Sunshine Coast, here’s a list of 6 quirky and cool events taking place throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this weekend!
VanDusen Plant Sale – Vancouver
The holy grail of plant sales is taking place this Sunday at VanDusen Botanical Garden. As recently featured in The Vancouver Sun, the VanDusen Plant Sale is the largest plant sale in Metro Vancouver with 40,000 plants on sale and crowds of up to 10,000 expected – lining up as early as 6am! For tips on how to prepare, visit their website and be sure to look up their 35 page Plant Sale Catalogue to see what botanical treatures await. Bonus: admission to the garden is free during the sale!
When: Sunday, April 29 from 10am-4pm
Website: www.vandusengarden.org
Party for the Planet – Surrey
Bring the whole family out to Central City Plaza for BC’s largest Earth Day celebration! Party for the Planet will be featuring a variety of activities such as live entertainment, children’s play areas, a tree sale, plus environmental and community information. Entertainment is wide and varied, from children’s performers like Bobs & Lolo, to bands and singers like Good for Grapes, The Boom Tooms, Down With Webster, Ashleigh and Raghav. Enjoy dance groups such as the DRS B-Boy Crew and the Celebration Dance Team, or groove to the beats in the Port Metro Vancouver Energy Dance Tent.
When: Friday, April 27 (4-10pm) and Saturday, April 28 (10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet/
Flash Marathon Shuffle – Powell River
Photo: The Flash Marathon Shuffle by Powell River. Source: Club Fat Ass.
Feel like challenging yourself this weekend in the beauty of an old growth, temperate rainforest? If so, get yourself to Powell River this Sunday for the Flash Marathon Shuffle. This is not your typical running event as it’s classified as a “fun, low key shuffle (hike or run) on a 29 km section of the Sunshine Coast Trail”. Experience the groomed trails through the forest, along creeks and lakeshores, through dales and over hills. All throughout there are magnificent vistas of the Sunshine Coast, adjacent islands, nearby lakes and the city. If 29km’s too daunting, that’s there’s also the Half Shuffle which is a 12km option – it’s 2km more than the Sun Run, but surrounded by nature without the crowds.
When: Sunday, April 29. Check-in at the Shingle Mill Pub at 7:30am. Shuffle begins at 8:30am.
Website: www.clubfatass.com/events/marathon-shuffle
Spring Golfing – Pemberton
It might be another fantastic year for snow in Whistler, but just 32km north in Pemberton, the climate is actually warmer, meaning that golfing season has already begun! Both of Pemberton’s golf courses, The Meadows at Pemberton and Big Sky Golf and Country Club, have opened for the season just last weekend. Consider a day of golfing if you’re heading up to Whistler, or better still, book a Swing Into Spring golf package with the Pemberton Valley Lodge for some early season discounts and spend your entire weekend in Pemberton on the greens.
Websites: www.pembertongolf.com / www.bigskygolf.com / www.pembertonvalleylodge.com
Yarrow Ecovillage Open House – Chilliwack
Photo: The farm at the Yarrow Ecovillage in March 2012. Source: Yarrow Ecovillage via Facebook.
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you lived at an ecovillage? This Sunday you’ll have your chance as the Yarrow Ecovillage hosts an Open House for the general public. The Yarrow Ecovillage is described as “an exceptional combination of cohousing, sustainable living, farmland preservation, a live/work community and a mixed-use town center.” Come on out and see what life is like at an ecovillage and meet the people who have built this extraordinary neighbourhood. There will be farm tours, home tours, kids’ activities and refreshments. Everyone is welcome.
When: Sunday, April 29 from 1-4pm
Website: www.yarrowecovillage.ca
April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge – Madeira Park
The 11th Annual April Tools Wooden Boat Challenge takes place this Saturday at the Seafarer Millennium Park in the Pender Harbour community of Madeira Park. Described as a mix of inventive boatbuilding, high school team antics, and kids’ mini-boatbuilding, the event is blended with a variety of community activities and comprises one of the most enjoyable Pender Harbour activities of the year. There will be races, free activities for kids, a BBQ and more!
When: Saturday, April 28 beginning at 10am
Website: http://www.maritimeheritage.ca/april-tools
