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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.

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Afternoon Tea for Mother’s Day

May 9th, 2012
 


Photo: Afternoon tea at Tracycakes Bakery Cafe. Source: Tracycakes via Facebook.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13, 2012 which is really just a few days away. If you’re anything like me, you might be wondering what you’re going to do to celebrate (without copying whatever it was you did last year). So why not take your Mom out for an afternoon tea? Whether you do it on Mother’s Day or get her a gift certificate to do it at a later date, you’ve got more than a few places to choose from in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Here’s just a sampling!

Tracycakes Bakery Cafe – White Rock

Here’s an idea for Mother’s Day. Surprise mom with a drive out to the seaside community of White Rock for the afternoon. Meander along the pier and stroll up and down Marine Drive, and then pop into Tracycakes Bakery Cafe for some High Tea. Their High Tea includes specialty loose leaf teas, finger sandwiches, Devonshire cream, jam, baby cake cupcakes and “dainty rounds” (which is, well, I’m not entirely sure, but I’m sure that it must be delicious!). They also have locations in Abbotsford and Fort Langley. Visit their website for more info.

Adorabelle Tea Room – Steveston

In a similar fashion, you could take mom out to Steveston for the afternoon, browsing through the boutiques and admiring the fishing boats. If you haven’t visited Steveston in a few years, it’s actually changed quite a bit. The Adorabelle Tea Room is one of those changes, being the new kid on the block in this historic fishing village. Adorabelle Tea Room offers a one-hour tea service four times a day with menus tailored to both adults ($23) and children ($16). Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, fresh baked scones with sweetened cream and strawberry preserves, house-made petite sweets plus an individual pot of tea per person. Visit their website for more info.

Rowena’s Inn on the River – Harrison Mills

If mom ever wanted to see Harrison Hot Springs, take her for a scenic drive along Hwy 7, stopping off in the community of Harrison Mills. It’s here where you can treat mom to an Afternoon Tea at Rowena’s Inn on the River, a short distance from Harrison Hot Springs. This daily tea service is $19.95 per person and it’s served in the Drawing Room of a beautiful English-style manor on their secluded 160-acre waterfront estate. This daily tea service includes scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserve, a variety of tea sandwiches (curry chicken, cucumber and butter, smoked salmon and cream cheese) as well as a sampling of cakes and pastries. Visit their website for more info.

Little White House & Co. – Fort Langley

Maybe your mom has a thing for French style? If so, delight her with a visit to The Little White House & Co. This is a charmingly sophisticated Parisien-inspired boutique located in a beautiful heritage house at the heart of Fort Langley. Not only do they have beautiful merchandise for sale, they’re also hosting a Mother’s Day High Tea for $18 per person in their Salon Café. This special Mother’s Day Tea includes pink champagne punch and pink sweet petits. Visit their website for more info.

Truffles Café - Gibsons

Surprisingly, many people who live in the Lower Mainland have never been to the Sunshine Coast, despite it being only a 40 minute ferry ride away from Horseshoe Bay (and a spectacular one at that!). If you or your mom have never ventured to the other side of Howe Sound, use Afternoon Tea at Truffles Café in Gibsons as your excuse. Vancouver-based blog Wise Monkeys wrote a review about their experience having afternoon tea there last year where they dined on smoked turkey, roast beef and onion, and sandwiches cucumber; cheese and crackers, rugelach, scones, lemon-poppyseed tea bread, blueberry tarts, merengues and a selection of teas served up in an old English “Betty” teapot. They say it’s a steal of a deal, but reservations are recommended. Read their story and check out their photos here. And seriously consider making this a Mother’s Day outing to remember.

The Shangri-La Hotel – Vancouver

Maybe your mom likes to live it up a little, and really, who doesn’t? If your mom enjoys the hustle and bustle of a city centre, take her shopping (perhaps along Alberni, Robson & Burrard?) and then take her out for an Afternoon Tea at the Xi Shi Lounge at the Shangri-La Hotel. Their afternoon tea is served daily (until June 30, 2012) and includes a variety of savoury snacks, sweet treats, and exotic loose leaf teas. Visit their website for full details.

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont

The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria may be the most famous place in BC (if not all of Canada) for a traditional afternoon tea, but did you know that the other Fairmont hotels in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region host traditional afternoon teas as well? All feature signature Fairmont teas, a variety of sandwiches, pastries, and scones, and are without a doubt elegant experiences unique to their properties. There’s the Fairmont Vancouver Airport which does an Afternoon Tea as you watch the planes take off. If you’re doing a trip to Whistler, why not go for at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler? And in downtown Vancouver, the Fairmont Pacific Rim does a unique take on afternoon tea in their Lobby Lounge by serving both classic and sushi-style sandwiches. Of course, there’s also the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for an “Afternoon Tea at the Castle” – a nod to their castle-like architecture; the perfect place to dote on mom.

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Rainy Day Activities: 5 Current Art Exhibits

April 30th, 2012
 

Well it looks like we’re in for a week of rain, so what better opportunity to explore the some art showing around the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region? I’ve highlighted five current exhibits that I think are pretty unique…

1. Paint: The Painted Works of Lyle Wilson – Maple Ridge

If you’re interested in learning more about BC’s First Nations art, you will definitely want to put Maple Ridge on your radar this month. The Maple Ridge Art Gallery is hosting a solo show of paintings on cedar and paper by one of the living masters of the Northwest Coast style, Vancouver-based Haisla artist, Lyle Wilson.


“School of Salmon” by Lyle Wilson, 2011.

The exhibition, Paint: The Painted Works of Lyle Wilson, opens this Saturday with a public reception from 2-4pm. As explained on the gallery’s website, “This 20-year retrospective will demonstrate the stunning refinement of Wilson’s work and its unique blending of traditional and contemporary imagery” and “offers a rare, in-depth visual encounter with some 40 paintings on wood and paper, revealing the impressive range of traditional and contemporary elements that inhabit Wilson’s evolving artistic vision.”

When: Tuesday-Saturday, 11am-4pm from May 5 – July 28, 2012.
Website: www.theactmapleridge.org/gallery-current

2. Urban Flaneur at the CityScape Community Art Space – North Vancouver

Urban geographers and architecture enthusiasts won’t want to miss the Urban Flaneur exhibit at Lower Lonsdale’s CityScape Community Art Space before it ends on May 12. As described on their website, “This exhibition explores the grandeur and densification of urban space, particularly contemporary urban architecture and an individual’s experience within a city. Four accomplished artists address this theme with an intricate sculptural installation, acrylic paintings, large scale photo-montages, and photo-conceptual multimedia wall pieces”.

When: Monday-Saturday, 12-5pm until May 12, 2012.
Website: http://nvartscouncil.ca/exhibitions/cityscape-community-art-space

3. Positive Fallout at FibreWorks – Madeira Park

Vancouver mixed media artist Wendy Browne brings her exhibit, Positive Fallout to Madeira Park’s FibreWorks Studio & Gallery. Hosted in a collection of yurts, FibreWorks showcases fibre art – basketry, paper, textiles and wood , created by local, national and international artists.


Inside a yurt at Fibreworks Studio & Gallery, October 2011. Robyn Hanson photo.

Browne writes, “My show, ‘Positive Fallout’ is about power, faith, discipline, whimsy, survival, change, spirit, symbolism, and inner essence. It is a reflection of the desire for transformation and the tenacity required of me to create a body of work consistent with and reflective of a cohesive thought process. I have never considered my work to be main stream and I don’t strive to make it so. My wish has been to successfully convey an emotion within the piece, disturbing or pleasing as that may be to the viewer. The discipline required to do this has been a very positive experience. Tenacity is powerful.”

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm until May 6, 2012.
Website: http://www.fibreworksgallery.com/artist/wendy-browne/

4. Package Deal at The Fort Gallery – Fort Langley

If marketing and design tickles your fancy, drop by The Fort Gallery this week in Langley to see the Package Deal exhibit before it ends this Sunday. As detailed on their website, packaging is “stuff we barely glance at before throwing it away: it’s the wrapping around the real goods nestled inside, a nuisance factor in our daily lives that clogs our recycling bins and landfills, a gorgeous distraction concocted by marketers to lure us into the consumerist mindset. For artists Claire Moore, Jo‐Ann Sheen and Diana Durrand commercial packaging in all its gaudy, upscale, brash and crinkly forms has become the material of art

When: Wednesday-Sunday, 12-5pm until May 6, 2012.
Website: www.fortgallery.ca

5. Multiverse at the Scotia Creek Gallery – Whistler

      
Featured works in the “Multiverse” exhibit at the Scotia Creek Gallery.

If you find yourself in Whistler in the next few days, drop by Millennium Place and pop upstairs to the Scotia Creek Gallery which currently features the original art works of Mandy Tsung, Russell Alton, Kristian Adam, Nomi Chi and Daniel Tibbits. As described on the gallery’s website, ”In this eclectic exhibit entitled “Multiverse” each artist brings forth their own interpretation of an alternate universe; bizarre & surreal, yet playful & beautiful, this look into another world encourages the viewer to gain a fresh perspective into their existing world.”

When: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 11am-4pm and Sun 4-7pm until May 10, 2012.
Website: http://www.artswhistler.com/scotia-creek-gallery

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Hidden Secrets: Weekend Plans for April 27-29

April 27th, 2012
 


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

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Hidden Secrets: Weekend Plans for April 20-22

April 20th, 2012
 


Photo: Live music at the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, Whistler. Photo by Mike Crane.

No weekend plans? Let us help! From Earth Day festivities in Roberts Creek to the largest Vaisakhi celebration outside of India taking place in Surrey, here’s a list of 11 quirky and cool events taking place throughout the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region this weekend!

Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival – Whistler

It’s the last weekend of the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival in Whistler. If you’re needing a quick getaway that includes Canada’s largest free outdoor concert series, action sports, fashion, film, photography and more, head up the Sea to Sky and see what all the fuss is about. The festival merges music, sport and art into the most energetic, electric and memorable 10 day festival on snow the world has to offer. Free concert highlights this weekend include Michael Franti & Friends at 4pm on Friday, April 20; DJ Grandtheft at 8pm on Saturday, April 21 at the Mainstage for Big Air Competition; and finally The Sheepdogs at 4pm on Sunday, April 22. Check the website for the full schedule.

When: April 13-22, 2012
Website: http://www.wssf.com

Surrey Vaisakhi Parade – Surrey

The annual Surrey Vaisakhi Parade takes place on Saturday and is the largest Vaisakhi parade outside of India! In 2011, Surrey’s parade shattered attendance records, as over 150,000 people turned out to take part in the celebration. Vaisakhi is one of the most important festivals in the Sikh calendar and celebrates both the Sikh New Year festival and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa in 1699.

The Vaisakhi Celebration is truly a community event and welcomes people of all backgrounds to participate. Locals can be found adorned in orange, blue and white giving out food along the streets, sharing, singing, walking in the parade, and rejoicing in their culture. This exciting and fun-filled event in Surrey epitomizes multiculturalism and ethnic diversity. Participants are requested to cover their heads and to not smoke or drink at the event.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (7:30am-5pm)
Website: http://www.surreyvaisakhiparade.ca/

Spirit of the People Pow Wow – Chilliwack

Come out to Chilliwack and experience a traditional Sto’lo Nation pow wow! Held at the Chilliwack Sports Landing Centre, the Spirit of the People Pow Wow is a drug and alcohol free event for the entire family showcasing First Nations culture in an inspiring, weekend event with songs, regalia, dance and traditional foods. Come and check out the Native Artists’ Market, which will host over 45 Native Artisan Vendors at the indoor and outdoor Aboriginal Artisans Market. Admission is $2 per day or $5 for the whole weekend! Everyone is welcome.

When: Fri, April 20 (7pm), Sat, April 21 (1pm & 7pm), Sun, April 22 (12pm)
Website: http://www.tourismchilliwack.com/event.php?eventID=1121

Fan Expo Vancouver – Vancouver

Geeks unite! It’s the inaugural year of Vancouver’s large-scale comic convention Fan Expo Vancouver and it’s taking place this weekend at the Vancouver Convention Centre! The expo will highlight art, celebrities, shopping, discussion panels and workshops, including the original Batmobile from the original TV series and of course, the original Batman and Robin, Adam West and Burt Ward, from the 60s TV series. Download the full schedule here. Anticipate thousands of fellow comic, anime, manga, video game, gaming, horror and sci-fi fans from all over the west coast, including lots of cosplay. What’s not to love?

When: Sat, April 21 (10am-7pm), Sun, April 22 (10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.fanexpovancouver.com

Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival – Agassiz

There are only two weekends in April to experience the Tulips of the Valley Tulip Festival – this weekend and next. If you’ve never experienced a tulip festival before, get yourself out to the Fraser Valley and enjoy 40 acres of vibrant locally-grown tulips with a dramatic backdrop of the snow-capped Coast Mountains. Admission is only $3 for adults, $2.50 for seniors, and free for kids under 12. Curious what 40 acres of tulips actually looks like? Check out our photos to get a taste of what to expect.

When: April 18-30, 2012 (Mon-Tues: closed, Wed-Fri: 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun: 10am-5pm)
Website: http://www.tourismharrison.com/page/Tulip_Festival

Celebrate Earth Day at Heywood Park – North Vancouver

Join the City of North Vancouver this Sunday as they celebrate Earth Day, the official opening of Heywood Park playground and the new fish hatchery! It’s also the kickoff for the City’s Green Can Food Scraps Collection program, starting this May. Come out and paritipcate in a fish release, take a tour of the hatchery, and check out the Community Art Project and other displays. Help remove invasive plants and plant local species in the park and play in the new playground. Tools, plants and light refreshments will be provided. Great prizes to win and fun for the whole family!

When: Sun, April 22 (12-4pm)
Website: http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=3&i=686

Stave Falls Powerhouse -  Mission

In the spirit of Earth Day, we think it’s the perfect time to learn about one of BC’s cleanest sources of electricity – right from the source! The Stave Falls Powerhouse is an authentic 1912 generating station located in Mission that offers a unique all-ages experience with interactive games and historic displays that tell the story of how power helped build this province. Other amenities include a 50-seat theatre, a gift shop and BC Hydro’s Hayward Lake recreation site nearby.

When: Wednesday-Sunday (11am-4pm).
Website: http://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/stave_falls_visitor_centre.html

Spring Wine Release Party at Neck of the Woods Winery -  Langley

If you’re a wine aficionado and you haven’t yet visited Langley’s Neck of the Woods Winery yet, take the opportunity this Saturday and head into Fraser Valley wine country for their Spring Wine Release Party.  In addition to the new wines being released, there will also be appetizers (between 12-2pm) as well as an opportunity to wander through their production area. On top of that, there will also be prize draws, specials, and more!

When: Saturday, April 21, 2012 (11am-6pm)
Website: http://www.neckofthewoods.ca

Earth Day – Roberts Creek

Head out to the Roberts Creek Pier this Sunday for some Sunshine Coast Earth Day festivities! There will be local musicians, great food and environmental information. Ride your bike and receive a free bike tune-up, or take the SCRD’s eco-groovy Musical Bus for some zero-waste fun!

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 (12pm)
Website: http://www.sunshinecoastcanada.com/calendar/

Magnolia Walk – Coquitlam

If you’ve been admiring all the magnolia trees in bloom in our local gardens, then you might be interested in attending the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society’s Magnolia Walk this Sunday. These walks begin at the Riverview Hospital at the Hendy Esson Young (Hey) Building and are usually led by a volunteer arborist. The walks last about two hours depending on the weather and the walkers’ preference. Dress for the weather and wear comfy shoes. The walk happens rain or shine. Children and adults are welcome and dogs on leash are also welcome! It’s free to attend.

When: Sunday, April 22, 2012 (1pm)
Website: http://rhcs.org/tours_events.html

Make It! – Vancouver

This weekend Vancouver’s Croatian Cultural Centre is hosting Make It! Vancouver. Shop for one-of-a-kind handmade items from over 110 of Canada’s hottest urban artisans, designers and crafters. There’s also a licensed bar and live music. It’s $5 at the door but you can print off this flyer at the door, or better yet, show it on your iPhone for $2 off. Finally, don’t take your car – the Croatian Cultural Centre is an easy 10 minute walk north of the Broadway Skytrain station.

When: Fri, April 20 (4-9pm), Sat, April 21 (11am-6pm), Sun, April 22 (11am-5pm)
Website: http://makeitproductions.com

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A Day Trip to Whistler with Landsea Tours & Adventures

March 30th, 2012
 

If you’re coming to Vancouver, or even if you’re a local, then a day trip to Whistler can’t be missed.


Photo: Hiking at the top of Whistler Mountain. Source: Landsea Tours & Adventures

Only two hours north of Vancouver, the journey along the Sea to Sky Highway provides some of the most spectacular natural scenery British Columbia has to offer – island-studded ocean fjords, cascading waterfalls, and rugged snow-capped mountains. Once in Whistler Village, the pedestrian-oriented resort offers a myriad of activities from fine dining, shopping, and gentle hikes to the more extreme mountainous adventures.

If you’re looking for a day trip tour to Whistler, let Landsea Tours & Adventures take you there and discover why they can provide you with the ultimate Whistler experience:

Considered one of the most knowledgeable and personable tour companies in the region, their Whistler Mountains and Adventure Tour provides a fully narrated scenic drive to Whistler from Vancouver with stops at the Sea to Sky Highway view points, Shannon Falls, and the new aboriginal cultural centre and museum. If you’re craving something more, they also offer a huge range of seasonal activities that you can add to your tour… just watch the video above for a taste of what you can do!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Ginger Gervais! You’ve won a Whistler Mountains and Adventure Tour from Landsea Tours and Adventures!

We’re very excited to be partnering up with Landsea Tours & Adventures to offer this incredible contest! Landsea Tours & Adventures is giving away a Whistler Mountains and Adventure Tour for two! The tour departs from Vancouver. In order to enter the contest, you simply have to do the following:

1. Follow us on Twitter @604Pulse

2. Retweet the following:

Follow @604Pulse & RT to WIN a Whistler Mountains & Adventure Tour for 2 with @LTAVancouver: bit.ly/WhistlerLTA

3. Leave a comment telling us your favourite Whistler Tour Option that was featured in the video above.

The contest ends on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 12 noon. We will then be randomly selecting a contest winner and will be announcing the winner on Twitter and on this blog post. Good luck to everyone who enters!


Photo: Whistler Valley in the summer. Source: Landsea Tours & Adventures

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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.

    Do you have a suggestion for a blog post?
    E-mail us at info@604Pulse.com.

    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.

    Vancouver, Coast & Mountains on Twitter
    604Pulse: May Long Weekend Round-Up - activities to do this weekend in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: http://t.co/zubNtmjz
    604Pulse: Want to escape the city and go for a walk in the forest? Head to Lynn Canyon Park: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y
    604Pulse: @SeanEckford Egmonsters? Love it!
    604Pulse: Seeking adventure this weekend? We recommend river rafting in the Fraser Canyon: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y


     
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