Many wine lovers have thoroughly explored the popular, grape-filled and sun-soaked vineyard benches of Kelowna, Penticton, Oliver, and Osoyoos and enjoyed with their delicious wines that also fill local liquor store shelves and glasses. However, there are two BC wine areas — very close by — that are worth exploring if you’re looking for tasting rooms to visit in BC this season. While Similkameen Valley and Okanagan Falls aren’t exactly new wine regions, they just might be new to you!

Similkameen Wineries Association

Recently named one of the world’s “5 Best Wine Regions You’ve Never Heard Of“, you’ve most likely driven through the Similkameen on your way to the Okanagan.

Make no mistake however, those vineyards you spot along Highway 3 are all a part of the Similkameen Valley, which is its own distinct region, separate from the Okanagan Valley. With Keremeos known as the “fruit stand capital of Canada”, it’s no wonder it would make a great region to grow grapes as well.

The Similkameen Wineries Association is a collective of 11 wineries and a cidery located in Cawston and Keremeos in the Similkameen Valley including Cerelia, Clos du Soleil, Corcelettes, EauVivre, Forbidden Fruit, Hugging Tree, Orofino, Robin Ridge, Rustic Roots, Sage Bush, Seven Stones and Twisted Hills Craft Cider.

There are two exceptional events that celebrate Similkameen wineries that you should put on your calendar. The Similkameen Country Christmas Winery Open House Tour in December, and the Similkameen BBQ King competition in July. This summer, 9 chefs from the region paired up with 9 wineries and competed to create the best BBQ plates using a select basket of local ingredients. Hosted at the historic Grist Mill and Gardens in Keremeos, you can stroll the grounds, meet winemakers, and sample the delicious creations and pairing from each chef. This year’s winner was none other than the Grist Mill’s own in-house Chef Natasha Schooten.

Follow Similkameen Wine on Twitter and Facebook for more information about their wineries, special events, and more.

Okanagan Falls Winery Association

Everyone loves our popular and world-famous Okanagan wine region, starting from Osoyoos and heading all the way up past Kelowna. If you’re traveling the distance from south to north (or north to south), be sure you stop into the Okanagan Falls wineries, located between Penticton and Oliver/Osoyoos. There you will find 13 Okanagan Falls Winery Association members:

Blasted Church Vineyards, Blue Mountain Vineyards, Kraze Legz, Liquidity, Meyer Family Vineyards, Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery, Painted Rock Estate Winery, Pentâge, See Ya Later Ranch, Stag’s Hollow Winery & Vineyard, Synchromesh Wines, Top Shelf Winery, Wild Goose Vineyards.

The Okanagan Falls wine region has a unique and highly varied terroir, microclimates and natural environment, quite unlike anywhere else in the valley, enabling them produce unique high quality wines. The community is tight knit and the wineries are predominantly still family-owned. The first grape vines planted in the area date back to 1961 and it has gorgeous views of both sides of the Okanagan Valley.

The beach on the south shore of Skaha Lake was where we enjoyed the summer Party in the Park, with a BBQ cookout, wine tasting from OK Falls wineries, live music and dancing. There’s a full year-long calendar of community and wine region events to check out as well. Follow the Okanagan Falls Winery Association on Facebook and Twitter to plan your next visit.

The Richmond World Festival is a full day festival of music, food, and culture happening on Saturday, September 5, 2015. Matt & Kim, the dynamic indie dance duo from Brooklyn, will be the headliners and more acts have just recently been announced for this FREE event!

Richmond World Festival

Where Minoru Park, 7191 Granville Avenue, Richmond, BC
When Saturday, September 5, 2015 from 11:00am to 9:00pm
Admission FREE

Alex Cuba

Grammy and Juno award-winner, Alex Cuba is joining the main stage lineup. His smoky vocals and masterful guitar-work crosses genres and cultures, always captivating listeners.

Other confirmed festival acts performing on the YVR Mosaic Main Stage include Bhangra chart toppers, En Karma; Kata Kata Afrobeat Group; Songpati Latin Band; Purple Rain; and Roku Sichi Taiko drummers. The Global Village Stage and the Coast Capital Savings PopUp Zone will feature numerous acts throughout the day including Slavic soul band, Silver; traditional Russian ensemble, RCC Russian Balalaika Orchestra; singer/actor/musician/circus performer, Neezar; the First Nations dance troupe, Wild Moccasins; Vancouver Cantonese Opera; and Vancouver yo-yo prodigy, Harrison Lee.

Festival of Flavours

Accompanying the live music is the Festival of Flavours featuring 35 international food trucks, and the Richmond Centre Culinary Stage, featuring notable local chefs including Master Chef Canada contestant, Tammy Wood.

Other festival attractions include the Global Village, with interactive cultural activities and performances; Wide World of Sports, showcasing culturally unique sports from across the globe; Kids World, with fun and educational activities for children; World of Poetry; Artisan Marketplace and more.

The Richmond World Festival is produced by the City of Richmond. Community partners are Port Metro Vancouver, Cowell Auto Group, Richmond Centre and Kwantlen Polytechnic University. Media sponsors are Global TV, the Georgia Straight, 102.7 The Peak, Z95.3, Richmond News and Miss604. For more festival news follow @FunRichmond on Twitter and #RWF2015.

The Lululemon SeaWheeze™ Half Marathon and Sunset Festival take place this Saturday, August 15, 2015 with an estimated 10,000 runners and 15,000 festival goers expected to participate. The half marathon course runs through Chinatown, Coal Harbour, False Creek, Kitsilano, the West End and Stanley Park. The Sunset Festival that follows will be held at Brockton Fields in Stanley Park.

Participants can check out the expo and showcase store pop-up and sunset yoga on Friday and the Sunset Festival on Saturday with live music from St Lucia, Yeasayer, Bear Mountain, and Alex Mazerolle.

Lululemon SeaWheeze Half Marathon Road Closures

The scenic 21.1km (13.1 miles) SeaWheeze Half Marathon route starts and finishes at the Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza. Runners will set out at 7:00am with the last will cross the finish line by 12:15pm with a strict 12:30pm course closure.

Road closures will be in place throughout the course and several buses will be re-routed during the event. Canada Place access will remain open at all times. Vehicle traffic can access the Port via Waterfront Road from Main Street.

The Seawall will be closed from 7:00am–12:00pm on Saturday between Devonian Park and The Westin Bayshore and between Second Beach and Lumberman’s Arch. Detours will be in place for pedestrians, cyclists and in-line skaters. This closure is in place to ensure the safety of the public and event participants along this narrow section of the Seawall. Expect general delays along other parts of the Seawall. Connect with SeaWheeze on Twitter and Facebook for more information.

VanDusen Botanical Garden is a seasonal beacon in Vancouver, a place I visit in the fall for changing colours in the trees, in the winter for the Festival of Lights, and in the spring for the natural pink confetti of the cherry blossoms.

This summer I visited with my niece from Chicago, strolling between fragrant flowers in the gardens and enjoying lunch on the Truffles Cafe patio. This oasis in our city, just off Oak Street, is celebrating 40 years this month and everyone is invited.

VanDusen Botanical Garden 40th Anniversary

When Sunday, August 16, 2015 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Where VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak Street
Tickets Retro rates of $2.00 per person (all ages)

Bring your friends and family to enjoy a fun-filled day at the garden. Featuring live music, historical and botanical talks and tours, an heirloom veggie harvest, family entertainment, photo booth, climbing wall, putting green, face-painting, tasty treats, and much more.

Free popcorn, free cake at noon, BBQ hot dogs and ice cream will be for sale. All entertainment and activities are included with admission.

Parking is limited so guests are encouraged to take transit, bike, or walk to the garden. Follow VanDusen on Facebook for more information about the anniversary celebration and upcoming special events.

For nearly a decade, Vancouverites and our international guests have been experiencing a taste of Latin America just off the coast of Vancouver with SalsaCruises.com, with Vancouver’s largest privately-owned cruising vessel, the MV Britannia. Now you have the chance to experience this unique night out on the water for the first time, or once again, to dance the night away.

The MV Britannia has three levels of DJs pumping a variety of music for testing your most sultry Latin moves and heart-pumping salsa lessons by some of Vancouver’s best instructors. Book a private event or join one of the incredibly fun summertime salsa cruises. Nights out on a salsa cruise have Mexican cuisine available on board and a bar on 3 levels to quench your thirst all night.

Whether you are taking the onboard class to learn the dance moves or you just want that cruise around Vancouver’s stunning harbour, your evening will be a memorable one. In August, there is also a family cruise with fun for all ages including face painting, balloons, special guests, and of course dancing.

Win a Salsa Cruise for Two

SalsaCruises.com is offering up a pair of tickets to their upcoming event on August 15th to a lucky Miss604 reader and their dance partner. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Like, share, or comment on this Facebook post (1 entry)

I will draw one winner at 12:00pm on Thursday, August 13, 2015. Follow SalsaCruises.com on Facebook for more information about their events this summer.

Update The winner is Bronwyn!