The long weekend has come and gone but there are still plenty of events happening around Metro Vancouver – in fact the calendar is just ramping up for the season with free activities, festivals, markets, theatrical productions and much more.
It’s not every day that you get to soar like an eagle over a gorgeous coastal destination, thousands of feet up with no sound except the wind. I have to admit, I had trepidations about heading up on a glider flight with Port Alberni when the idea was first pitched by ZenSeekers, but my attitude soon changed.
Views from a glider!
Gliding with Vancouver Island Soaring Centre
So what was the deciding factor, even with my mom texting me saying she didn’t want me to go? Well, first I met the team of pilots from the Vancouver Island Soaring Centre. These guys live and breathe flying and completely geek out about the technology of soaring in the non-motorized craft. They were so enthusiastic, and so knowledgable about the science of glider flying. They did a test flight first so I could see how things would go with the tow-plane that lifts the glider off the runway and into the air, and my hesitation quickly turned into excitement.
It was also a gorgeous day, with a few clouds and just enough wind in the air for a smooth flight and endless new perspectives. Located in the heart of the Vancouver Island, you can get coast-to-coast views above Port Alberni, from the edge of the Pacific to the Salish Sea. Want to know more about my flight? It’s all in my ZenSeekers post and you can spot me in the video above too!
Hike the Alberni Inlet Trail
Last year I profiled a roster of impressive (and accessible) hikes around Port Alberni, and I had a new experience summiting the Alberni Inlet Trail this season. This two-stage trail, which is 8.5 km and 12 km, starts off right near town and within the first 20 minutes you get an amazing view of Mount Arrowsmith as well as Port Alberni below. I have the full details of this experience on my ZenSeekers post »
Have to capture the view from the top of the Alberni Inlet Trail!
Search #ExplorePortAlberni for more inspiration. Be sure to tag #ExplorePortAlberni while exploring the region as you could be featured on our social media channels.
The 8th annual Surrey Doors Open is a free city-wide event that takes place on June 8th. You can explore 27 venues, connected by trolley stops or on a self-guided tour, and experience Surrey’s rich culture, history, art and architecture.
Surrey Doors Open
Where: 27 venues in City Centre, Cloverdale, Newton, South Surrey When: Saturday June 8, 2019 from 11:00am to 4:00pm Admission & Activities: FREE during the event
Surrey Doors Open is an annual one-day event for organizations to invite community members to “discover the story behind every door”. This free event offers fun activities for all ages, behind-the-scenes guided tours, entertainment, contests, prizes and more! Almost 7,500 visitors attended in 2018.
2019 Venues
Cloverdale
Whalley
Fraser Valley Heritage Railway
Central City Brewers & Distillers
Fraser Valley Virtual
Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre
Harness Racing BC
City Centre Library
Honeybee Centre
Di Reggae Cafe
Museum of Surrey
Douglas College Training Group
Surrey Animal Resource Centre
Sprite Multimedia Systems Ltd.
Surrey Archives
Surrey Biofuel Facility
Surrey Fire Services Hall No.8 Cloverdale
Surrey City Hall
Surrey Heritage Society dba BC Vintage Truck Museum
Tell the City of Surrey which venue you’re most excited about visiting and you could win some great prizes. Follow along on social media for the details: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.
Free shuttle buses will be running approximately every 45 minutes from the Hop-On, Hop-Off Zone in Cloverdale and Whalley. Please note that shuttles cannot accommodate booster seats or car seats for children.
Doors Open History
The inspiration for Surrey’s Doors Open stems from origins in France where the first Doors Open event (La Journee Portes Ouvertes) took place in 1984. The idea soon spread to neighbouring countries and has since expanded around the globe.
Toronto was the first North American city to follow the European lead and launched a high profile event showcasing constructed heritage, architecture and design as a millennium project in 2000. The City of Richmond has hosted the event over the last 9 years, and has grown their community involvement to over 40 open sites throughout Richmond.
For over forty years Penn & Teller have defied labels by redefining the genre of magic and inventing their own very distinct niche in comedy. On Friday, September 27, they will bring their renowned show to the River Rock Casino Resort for one unforgettable performance.
Penn and Teller at the River Rock
When: September 27, 2019 Where: River Rock Casino 8811 River Rd, Richmond Tickets:Available online starting Friday, May 24, 2019, with prices starting at $119.50 (plus service charges). Overnight packages also available.
With sold out runs on Broadway, world tours, Emmy-winning TV Specials, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and hundreds of outrageous appearances on everything from The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon to Friends, The Simpsons to The Stephen Colbert Show, Modern Family to The Big Bang Theory, comedy’s most enduring team shows no sign of slowing down.
After an amazing eight wins as “Las Vegas Magicians of the Year,” their 18-year run at The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino makes them the longest running and one of the most-beloved headline acts in Las Vegas history, outselling every other resident magician on The Strip.
Currently, they host the hit series Penn & Teller: Fool Us! for The CW Network, on which up-and-comers and magic veterans try to fool Penn & Teller for a chance to star in the duo’s hit Las Vegas stage show.
It was over a hundred years ago, in 1912, that the Lynn Valley Day celebrations first took place. It became an annual event in 1972 and one that the Lynn Valley Lions are proud to continue.
Lynn Valley Days 2019
Gala Evening When: Friday, June 21, 2019 from 5:30pm to late Where: Lynn Valley Park (3590 Mountain Hwy, North Vancouver) Cocktails, chef stations, dessert bar, lounge furniture just to highlight a few AMAZING features of this year’s Gala 2019. Come in your best dress and enjoy a stylized evening in a beautifully decorated tent. Schmooze, mingle and dance the night away! Get your tickets today »
Festival Day When: Saturday June 22, 2019 Where: Lynn Valley Field Lynn Valley Days includes many family friendly activities such as a pancake breakfast from 8:15am to 9:45am, games, maypole dancing, face painters and live entertainment. Local community groups and businesses showcase their work in booths from 10:00am to 4:00pm. A beer garden is also open to those 19+ (with a $5 entrance fee).
Parade When: June 22, 2019, begins at 9:30am Where: Begins at Mollie Nye Way The Lynn Valley Parade is a long standing Lynn Valley tradition that marks the start of Lynn Valley Days. Follow the parade to Lynn Valley field, where there will be local exhibitors, rides, live music, hot food and more.
For more information follow the Lynn Valley Lions Club on Twitter and Facebook. Miss604 is a proud sponsor of Lynn Valley Days.
Nando’s on Davie and Howe, home of the legendary, Portuguese flame-grilled PERi-PERi chicken, wants to fuel your summer picnic so they’ve partnered with me to offer up two Party Packs to give away.
A Nando’s Party Pack is perfect for 6 people (for your next game night, family meal, or picnic). The Party Pack includes 2 whole chickens, 3 Nando’s size sides (like PERi-PERi Fries, Macho Peas, Spiced Rice, and more) and garlic bread.
About Nando’s: Nando’s was hatched in South Africa in 1987 when Fernando Duarte invited his friend Robbie Brozin to a humble Portuguese eatery in the heart of Rosettenville, South Africa to try some mouth-watering PERi-PERi marinated and basted chicken. It wasn’t just the best chicken Robbie had ever tasted; it was love at first bite! The rest, as they say, is history.
Nando’s Party Pack Giveaway
I have two Party Packs to give away! Here’s how you can enter to win:
The winners can pick up their gift certificates for Party Packs (value $65) at Nando’s at 828 Davie Street (at Howe) in Downtown Vancouver. I will draw both winners at 12:00pm on Wednesday, June 5, 2019.
Owned and operated by Rebecca Bollwitt, Miss604.com (since 2004) provides daily information about life in Metro Vancouver, events, community happenings and local history. It also features music, film, and television interviews along with travel features for day-trips and weekend getaways.
Online since 1997, Rebecca also started podcasting RadioZoom in 2005, co-founded sixty4media, a WordPress website development firm, in 2008, and co-authored the book, Blogging to Drive Business in 2010 & 2012.
Read more about Rebecca »
Current Contests
Enter here to win a Party Pack from Nando's (until June 5)
Enter here to win tickets to A Steady Rain at Tyrants Theatre (until May 24)
View a complete list of contests »
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »
Surrey Doors Open 2019 
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