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May Long Weekend Round-Up

May 17th, 2012
 


Photo: The Cloverdale Rodeo. Source: Alain Limoges via Flickr.

It’s the unofficial start to summer this weekend and there is LOTS going on in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. If you have no plans for the long weekend, here are a few ideas to get you started…

Cloverdale Rodeo – Surrey

Now in its 124th year, the Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair is the largest rodeo in the region and it’s taking place all weekend May 18-21. Whether you’re seeking rodeo events, live entertainment, or the Fraser Valley’s largest midway, there’s plenty of fun for the whole family.

Hyack Festival – New Westminster

The 41st annual Lowe’s Hyack Festival Week kicks off on Friday, May 18 with opening night celebrations at 7pm and fireworks at 10pm. The weeklong festivities also include the DiverseCity Multicultural Festival on Saturday, the 28th annual Hyack Antique Fair on Sunday and Monday, as well as the longest-running May Day celebration in the British Commonwealth.

Night Markets – Richmond

There are two night markets in Richmond this year! One is the Summer Night Market while the other one is the Richmond Night Market. Both will be open Friday to Monday this weekend and both are easy to get to. Simply take the Canada Line to Bridgeport where you can walk to the Richmond Night Market or take the free shuttle to the Summer Night Market. Better yet, visit both! Bring an appetite and your cash.

Teddy Bear Picnic – Harrison Mills

Bring your teddy bear out to Kilby Historic Site this Sunday, May 20 for a picnic in your bear’s honour. Included in the price of admission, both child and bear will enjoy complimentary tea and cookie! This year’s activities include the dress up Tickle Trunk, a sing-a-long with Bert and Cherry, a photograph booth, decorating cookies and crafts.

Roberts Creek Arts Festival – Sunshine Coast

Take the 40 minute ferry to the Sunshine Coast where the Roberts Creek Arts Festival is happening only a 20 minute drive away from the ferry terminal! This two day festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday and is loaded with contemporary culture, music, film, art and design. Explore beautiful studios, galleries, gardens and fields, filled with creativity, performances, delicious local food, drink and engaged people.

May Day Parade & Festivities – Fort Langley

Join thousands of visitors along Mavis and Glover Roads to watch the 90th Annual May Day Parade starting at 11 am on Monday, May 21 followed by activities at Fort Langley Park. Back at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, activities begin at 10:15am with an Historic Weapons Demo and continue right on until 5pm. Admission is free so come and enjoy the festivities all day!

Rick Hansen’s Many in Motion Relay – Surrey & White Rock

Come out to the Surrey Sport & Leisure Complex this Saturday, May 19 from noon to 3pm for Rick Hansen’s Many in Motion Relay Community Celebration. Welcome to medal bearers and relay team while enjoying sledge hockey demos, children’s activities, presentations and entertainment. Likewise, White Rock is hosting their Rick Hansen Relay End of Day Celebration, also on Saturday. Welcome the medal bearers and relay team while enjoying live entertainment, a BBQ, and lots of family fun.

Farmers Markets

Many of the region’s farmers markets have kicked off this month, including some you may not even have known existed. Use the long weekend to discover what awaits at the Mission City Farmers Market on Saturdays (9am-1pm) and the Coquitlam Farmers Market on Sunday (9am-1pm).

Hiking Lynn Canyon – Vancouver’s North Shore

What better way to spend the day than with a walk through a temperate rainforest? Lynn Canyon Park‘s always been one of my favourite places for a short nature walk through the woods as it has the free suspension bridge to cross, a variety of trails, waterfalls and beautiful scenery. And the best part? It’s free!

Whistler Mountain Bike Park

It’s officially mountain bike season! The Whistler Mountain Bike Park will be opening this Friday, May 18  from 10am until 5pm where it will remain open daily throughout the summer. Don’t have a mountain bike or appropriate gear? That’s okay; you can rent that all in Whistler too.

BC Motocross Races – Pemberton

If you’re heading to Whistler for the weekend and you’re interested in motocross, you may want to drive the 20 minutes north to Pemberton where the BC Motocross Races will be happening. Held at the the Green River Motocross Track, drop by on Saturday for day one of racing, or come by on Friday to register yourself in the race.

River Rafting – Fraser Canyon

With the spring meltwater surging local rivers, now is the time to be river rafting! Local river rafting operators include Kumsheen, Hyak River Rafting, Chilliwack River Rafting, REO Rafting Resort and Fraser River Raft Expeditions offering rafting adventures of all types along the Fraser, its tributaries, and the Thompson.

10 Family Activities for Easter Long Weekend – Part 2

April 6th, 2012
 


Photo: Celebrating Easter at Township 7 Winery. Source: Township 7.

It’s the Easter long weekend! From Easter egg hunts to special Easter brunches, we’ve highlighted 10 great family-friendly Easter activities taking place in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains this weekend. This is part two of a two-part blog post. Read Part 1.

6. Easter in Queen’s Park – New Westminster

It’s Easter in Queen’s Park this Sunday in New Westminster! From 11am-2pm, there will be live music and entertainment (featuring Junior Bean, Music with Marnie, and One Woman Circus), a petting farm, food, crafts, face painting, and more. For a $2 suggested donation, you can even get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!

7. Township 7 Winery – Langley

Lovers of wine and fine food will want to bring the whole family out to Township 7′s Easter Celebration this Sunday at their picturesque south Langley winery. From 12-4pm there will be an Easter egg hunt in the vineyard and a crafts room for children, as well as Easter goodies in support of the Small Animal Rescue Society. Bring a picnic and enjoy brunch in the the vineyards or build your own picnic with artisanal fare from their selection of local charcuterie items and handcrafted chocolate. Take in the live music and a glass of wine or two while the kids frolic for the afternoon.

8. Surrey Museum – Surrey

The Surrey Museum will be hosting a special Easter Fair this Saturday. From 1-4pm kids can enjoy spring crafts and holiday games. Learn about the real Easter Bunny and friends as you discover local wildlife and meet rescue animals, from rabbits to reptiles and an assortment of dogs and parrots.

9. Port Moody Station Museum – Port Moody

The Port Moody Station Museum is be the place to be in the Tri-Cities this Easter Sunday as they host an Easter Extravaganza! From 10am-2pm, there will be all kinds of family-friendly activities such as face painting, carnival games, bubbles, Easter basket crafts, food, and performances by magician Dennis Hewson and dog dancing team Joyce Johnstone and Twinkletoes. The main event is the Easter egg hunt – they hide marbles and kids exchange them for chocolate eggs. They resupply their hidden marbles and eggs throughout, so there’s no need to rush. For $5 you can even gt your picture taken with the Easter Bunny!

10. London Heritage Farm – Richmond

This weekend if your chance to experience London Heritage Farm’s famous afternoon tea! On Saturday and Sunday, this historic farmhouse will be serving an Easter Tea from 12-5pm. Enjoy a full tea with tea or hot chocolate, a scone and other homemade goodies for $8.50 per person. Reservations are not required but suggested. Then on Easter Sunday, meet at the nearby Sharing Farm Orchard at the bottom of Gilbert Road for an Easter Egg and Scavenger Hunt. Beginning at 11am, kids will look for clues and collect prizes that direct them to London Farm’s hunt for the grand prize. The first ten kids in both categories (under 6 years and 6-12 years) will receive grand prizes.

Related Posts:

10 Family Activities for Easter Long Weekend – Part 1

April 5th, 2012
 


Photo: Making friends at Maplewood Farm. Source: Maplewood Farm via Facebook.

It’s the Easter long weekend! From Easter egg hunts to special Easter brunches, we’ve highlighted 10 great family-friendly Easter activities taking place in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains this weekend. This is part one of a two-part blog post. Read Part 2.

1. Kilby Heritage Site – Harrison Mills

For those seeking a leisurely drive through the countryside this Easter weekend, make Kilby Heritage Site your destination! Just a short drive away from Harrison Hot Springs, Kilby will be hosting all kinds of Easter festivities on Saturday and Sunday. From 11am until 3pm, kids can enjoy crafts and friendly farm animals, and the annual Easter egg hunt goes from 11am until 1pm. Afterward treat you family to a lunch at the Kilby Restaurant where they’re featuring a wonderful Easter ham dinner. Yes, that’s right – a ham dinner… for lunch! Bring along your appetite.

2. Maplewood Farm – North Vancouver

If your kids love interacting with animals, then there’s nothing better than a visit to North Vancouver’s Maplewood Farm to meet the new baby animals that have been born this spring. While you can visit any day of the week, if you drop by on Easter Sunday between 10am and 4pm, your kids will be treated to an exciting day of face painting, crafts, pony rides, educational exhibits, and an Easter egg hunt!  Be sure to get there early right at 10am for the Easter egg hunt, as it will go as long as supplies last.

3. Spring Fling – Sechelt

Sechelt will be buzzing this Saturday as it hosts its Spring Fling! From 10am until 5pm, there will be unique vendors, music, food and sidewalk specials all along Cowrie Street and Trail Avenue. Enjoy a gourmet French toast breakfast at 9:30am from Ty’s Fine Food. Bad to the Bow will be playing fiddle music at 10:30am, and then Joe Stanton goes on at 11:30. All throughout the day there will be bubble activities for kids while the adults can enjoy local vendors such as Batchwork Sorbet, Pastimes, Ladybug Organic Apple Juice, Suncreek Farms, Organic Lives, baked goods by Kate, and more!

4. 8th Annual Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt – Pemberton

Looking for an Easter brunch in a stunning location? You probably can’t beat Pemberton’s Big Sky Golf & Country Club as they host their their 8th Annual Easter Brunch and Easter Egg Hunt this Easter Sunday. Located a half hour drive north of Whistler in the heart of the Pemberton Valley, the panoramic views of the snow-capped Coast Mountains will definitely provide one stunning backdrop for Easter festivities! The Easter egg hunt has two starting times: 10:30am for the early birds, and 12:30pm for the late risers. Likewise, there are two seatings for brunch: 10am and 12pm. Reservations can be made on the Big Sky Golf’s website.

5. Chilliwack Corn Maze – Chilliwack

The Easter bunny is coming to the Chilliwack Corn Maze this Saturday, April 7! From 10am until 2:30pm kids will be treated to face painting, a colouring contest, a giant jumping pillow, a pedal cart track, duck races, animal displays and more. Bring your own Easter basket to participate in the Easter egg hunt. If you find the golden egg, you’ll win a special prize!

Related Posts:

10 Great Spring Break Ideas – Part 2

March 12th, 2012
 

Continued from 10 Great Spring Break Ideas – Part 1, we bring you five more spring break activities in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region worth pursuing with your family this March!

6. Surrey Museum

If you have train lovers in your family, you’ll want to bring them to the Surrey Museum. Right now the museum’s feature exhibit BC Electric: More Than Just a Tram explores how the arrival of electricity and the BC Electric Railway changed Surrey.


Photo: Outside the Surrey Museum. Source: Kalevi Sissonen via Flickr.

You can visit the exhibit as a whole family or get the kids to participate in the museum’s Spring Break Family Daycamp. Held March 13-16 and 20-23 (10:30am-12:30pm), kids of all ages can play with props and touchable artifacts as well as create train crafts, all the while learning about our local railway history.

7. Gold Panning in Yale

The Fraser Canyon was once home to one of BC’s earliest gold rushes way back in 1858. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the art of gold panning, why not learn where it all began? Here’s your chance!


Photo: Along the Fraser River in Yale. Source: OurBC.com

On March 17, 24 and 31 (10am-4pm), gold panning expert Yukon Dan will be hosting Fraser River gold panning workshops in the historic gold rush town of Yale – a town which also happened to be the starting point of the famous Cariboo Wagon Road to Barkerville.  Needless to say, this region is steeped in gold rush history and there’s nothing better than bringing this history alive by being there and experiencing it.

Although Yukon Dan has a lot of information on his website, call him at 604-948-4941 for more details about this particular event. Thanks to Legal Addictions for putting this unique event on our radar!

8. Fraser River Discovery Centre

Take the Skytrain out to New Westminster for the afternoon and spend it at the Fraser River Discovery Centre. Situated on the river, the Fraser River Discovery Centre is where you can learn all about the mighty Fraser through a variety of exhibits and hands-on interactive displays.

Photo: Meet a white sturgeon! Source: Fraser River Discovery Centre blog.

Drop by on March 23 for a special spring break Discovery Zone Adventure. Aimed at kids 5-12, this program will provide a fun hands-on, guded tour of their newest exhibit where kids can uncover amazing stories, explore archaeology, meet the living dinosaur known as the Fraser River white sturgeon, as well as discover how pollutants affect the river.

9. North Vancouver Museum & Archives

We know that Canadians have invited all kinds of quirky products, from the NASA Canadarm to the sport of basketball, but could you name one thing that a British Columbia designed and created? Well, you’re not the only one! But after a visit to the North Vancouver Museum & Archives this month, all that will likely change.


Photo: The Design in BC exhibit at the North Vancouver Museum & Archives. Source: Sam Carter via ECUAD.

Right now the North Vancouver Museum & Archives is featuring their exhibit, Made in BC: Home-Grown Design. The exhibit showcases all kinds of products designed and created by the people of British Columbia. Explore the exhibit as a family or register your kids for the museum’s spring break program called BC Design For Kids.

Aimed at kids aged 6-12, the program runs on March 17 and March 24 (10am-12pm) where they’ll be treated to hands-on games and activities such as print making, bridge building, and doodle designs. Pre-registration is required. Call 604-990-3700 (ext 8016) to register.

10. Fort Langley National Historic Site

From now until March 25 (10am-5pm), the Fort Langley National Historic Site will be offering full days of family fun. Help plant the heritage garden and visit the chickens and bunnies. Watch baking at noon and historic weapons at 3:30 pm.

Photo: Inside Fort Langley National Historic Site. Source: OurBC.

As a young girl I absolutely loved visiting Fort Langley because I felt like I was going back in time. Where else do you get to visit a real Hudson’s Bay Fort complete with log structures, defense towers, and fur traders in costume? There’s nothing else quite like it in the Lower Mainland.

Related Posts:

10 Great Spring Break Ideas – Part 1

March 9th, 2012
 

It’s Spring Break and the kids are out of school! With so many fantastic family events and activities taking place throughout the month of March, we thought we’d highlight some great spring break ideas Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region for you and your family. This is part one of our two part blog post.

1. Britannia Mine Museum

From March 10-25, the Britannia Mine Museum will be offering fun activities led by their interpreters every day at 11am and 2pm. These family-friendly programs will be themed around Japanese culture to support their temporary exhibit, Stolen Lives: Remember the Japanese Canadian Internment.

One such activity is the Japanese Drumming Performance which takes place on Saturday, March 10. Sansho Taiko will be here from Vancouver for two special performances, 11am and 2pm. There will also be a chance to try drumming yourself.

2. Ice Skating

Let the kids go ice skating while you go shopping! West Vancouver’s Park Royal (March 9-18 from 12-6pm) and The Shops at Morgan’s Crossing in Surrey (March 22-25 from 10am-6pm) both have synthetic ice rinks set up and welcome everyone to come down for an open-air skate.

Photo: Whistler Olympic Plaza. Source: Mike Crane via Tourism Whistler.

Another idea is relive the 2010 Winter Olympics at the Whistler Olympic Plaza where there’s free outdoor ice skating daily from 11am-5pm and from 6pm-9pm.

3. Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Photo: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Source: Robyn Hanson.

Want to know what it was like to work in a Steveston cannery? Find out at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery on March 16 and 18 where you can join their costumed interpreter in their new “CAN you handle it?” tour and learn first-hand. Can’t make those dates? Starting March 10, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery will be hosting all kinds of fun March break activities like arts and crafts, map-making, cork boat-making, and more!

4. Sunshine Coast Winter Fest

The Sunshine Coast Winter Fest takes place on Saturday, March 10. Sponsored by Alpha Adventures, the festival takes place on Dakota Ridge where there will be product demos, snowshoe races, a kid’s ski race, a cross country ski mini-loppet (race) and more!

Photo: Snowshoeing on Dakota Ridge during Winter Fest 2011. Source: wotocho Flickr.

Can’t make it to Dakota Ridge in time? Not to worry! With a base of 200cm, the snow’s not going anywhere soon. Bring the whole family to  Dakota Ridge any time this month to experience their fabulous cross country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Be sure to check out the Dakota Ridge Facebook Page for daily updates on snow and road conditions.

5. Burnaby Village Museum

Photo: The Coursel at the Burnaby Village Museum. Source: Bruce Irschick via Flickr.

From March 19-25 (12-4pm) the Burnaby Village Museum is hosting a Spring Break Scavenger Hunt with the theme being Puppets and Pageantry. They write, “Start the hunt! Marionette, paper bag, and shadow puppets of all sorts! Explore this unique form of theatre art with a scavenger hunt, crafts, and lively performances. Need to take a break – make a craft, enjoy a performance or take a whirl on the carousel. All are included with admission”.

Related Posts:

5 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year

January 17th, 2012
5 Ways to Celebrate Chinese New Year
 

Photo: Collecting confetti after the parade in Chinatown. Source: Eric Flexyourhead via Flickr.

Chinese New Year falls on January 23 this year and it’s without a doubt a major cultural event. After all, Metro Vancouver is home to the second largest Chinese community in Canada after Toronto. So whether you’re seeking contemporary Chinese culture in Richmond or the legacy of Vancouver’s Chinese pioneers in Chinatown, there are a multitude of ways to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon throughout the month of January. We’ve highlighted five taking place in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains. 恭喜發財!

5. Chinese New Year Bazaar – Chinatown

One of my favourite times to explore Vancouver’s Chinatown is when the Chinatown Night Market is taking place. There’s just something special about the ambiance of the bustling market stalls combined with the gritty yet colourful vibe of Vancouver’s most historic community. While the night market only takes place in the summer months (yup, it’s not happening now), all throughout this week (from January 16 to 20 between 10:30am until 3:30pm) Chinatown is throwing a Chinese New Year Bazaar at 28 W Pender Street. While I haven’t ventured to the bazaar yet, it sounds like you can expect a similar atmosphere to the night market as there are tables of discounted merchandise,  snack foods, groceries, traditional Chinese clothing, used CDs/DVDs, and more. Don’t forget to get your picture taken with the dragon! It is the Year of the Dragon, after all.

4. Chinese New Year at the Buddhist Temple – Richmond

If you’ve never visited the International Buddhist Temple in Richmond, this week would be the time to go as you’ll be in for a real treat. Tucked away behind the hedges on Steveston Highway, the Buddhist Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in North America, housing the biggest Buddha statue on the continent and the largest Buddhist mural in the world! I can honestly say that I don’t feel like I’m in Canada anymore when I visit – I feel like I’m in China hundreds of years ago. I’m not exaggerating. It’s humbling and breathtaking.

From January 18 until 23, they’re putting on celebrations and a bazaar which includes auspicious flower arrangements, traditional snacks and foods, various cultural items, and more. But if you’re craving a truly unique experience, be sure to visit the temple on Sunday, January 22  from 8pm until 1am. This is Chinese New Year’s Eve where there will be a midnight blessing to all sentient beings. Or simply come by the following afternoon for a vegetarian luncheon – another part of the Buddhist Temple experience. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

3. Lunar New Year at Willowbrook – Langley

While Chinatown and Richmond are definitely Chinese New Year hubs, festivities and events do take place elsewhere in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Case in point: Willowbrook Shopping Centre. If you’re in the mood for a shopping spree, venture along the Fraser Highway to this popular Langley mall as they’re celebrating the Lunar New Year all throughout the month of January.

Indulge your globetrotting spirit by attending information sessions on travelling to China, learn about Chinese astrology, or simply relax in their Zen Lounge – an eastern-inspired oasis. There will also be live entertainment from now until January 28. You can look forward to seeing Asian-inspired harp concerts, Asian-inspired dance performances, Tai Chi demonstrations, and the much beloved Lion Dance. Be sure to look at their schedule as different events take place on different days.

2. Celebrate the Year of the Dragon – West Vancouver

For those seeking to celebrate Chinese New Year on the North Shore, head to the West Vancouver Community Centre on Saturday, January 28 between 1:30pm-3:30pm. As they write on their website, “Following a spectacular celebration last year, the North Shore celebrates the Year of the Dragon with a fun-filled afternoon of performances from different Asian cultures, live music, lucky draws and complimentary Asian food.” Although the event is free, space is limited to the first 500 people who show up.

1. Chinese New Year Parade – Chinatown

Although Richmond clearly has the most Chinese New Year festivities in 2012 (see this impressive list for proof), Chinatown has arguably the biggest and most famous celebration in all of Metro Vancouver. Anchoring these celebrations is the Chinese New Year Parade which takes place on Sunday, January 29 at 12 noon.

The parade, which includes cultural dance troupes, marching bands, martial arts performers, community members and organizations, and the signature lion dance, begins under the Millennium Gate along Pender Street in Chinatown. It then heads east along Pender to Gore, then south to Keefer where it heads west and disperses at Columbia.

Let the parade be the excuse for getting you out to Chinatown that Sunday, but while you’re there, be sure to check out the other events going on like the Cultural Fair at the the Sun Yat-Sen plaza, the Chinese New Year Banquet held at Floata Seafood Restaurant at 6pm ($35 per person), and the Year of the Dragon Temple Fair at the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden.

It’s here at this authentic Ming dynasty garden where you can play traditional Chinese games and activities; receive a red envelope from Grandma and Grandpa; light incense and make wishes at the altar; get your fortune told; listen to music from Larry Yan on the flute as well as celtic-Chinese music from local personality Toddish McWong; enjoy traditional Chinese tea, dumplings and buns; and experience a modern multimedia tea ceremony. Needless to say, you’ll want to spend your entire afternoon in Chinatown. Having attended Chinese New Year festivities in Chinatown in years past, you’re in for a memorable weekend.

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    About 604 Pulse

    Where should we go this weekend? This is a question we hear a lot, and it’s a question we often ask ourselves. So we had an idea: why not create a website where we explore all the things to see and do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, and then share them with you. We’ll provide locals and visitors personal insight into the cool things you can see and do in the region. Each week we’ll give you new tips, highlight upcoming events, share our favourite blogs, and tell you about our travels.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is a non-profit society, which represents business and community tourism interests from throughout the region. VCM invites you to come and discover the four distinct destination areas that make up Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Metro Vancouver, Mighty Fraser Country, Sea to Sky Country, and the Sunshine Coast.

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    Blogger Bio

    The voice behind 604 Pulse is that of Robyn Hanson. Born and raised in Vancouver, Robyn is a recognized expert on social media use for tourism operators. She has been an active participant and frequent contributor to online travel communities since 1998. With a keen interest in local history, geography, live music, and photography, Robyn has a passion for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains tourism region that is evident in the enthusiasm in the posts. Robyn posts almost daily to 604 Pulse and authors all of the site content.

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