The Sharing Farm Garlic Festival in Richmond is a celebration of sustainable agriculture and local garlic with fun for the whole family. The event supports the Sharing Farm and their work of cultivating nutritious, sustainably-grown produce for community members facing food insecurity.
Admission: By donation (with a suggested minimum of $5 a person)
Highlights this year include live birds-of-prey flying demonstrations, a nature based kids zone, and workshops on growing garlic and other native plants. Enjoy mouth-watering, garlic-inspired dishes from local food trucks and finish it off with a unique garlic ice cream.
Pick up your own favourite ingredients at the Farmer’s Market for fresh produce, local honey, and artisanal goods. Join in the fun and take the opportunity to learn about the sustainable agriculture practices that take place at the Sharing Farm!
Now in its 13th year, the festival usually attracts around 6,000 attendees from across the Lower Mainland.
The Sharing Farm is dedicated to providing fresh, healthy, sustainably grown produce to community members facing food insecurity. Thanks to the generosity of over 300 volunteers annually, and the devotion of a small core staff, the farm is able to provide an average of 20,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables every year to the Richmond Food Bank and community meal programs.
Car Free Day, presented by TransLink, takes to the streets of Downtown New West on Saturday, July 29th with live music, games, market, food trucks and more!
Car Free Day New Westminster – Downtown New West Photo
Car Free Day New West 2023
When: Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 12:00pm to 8:00pm
Where: Columbia Street between 4th Street and 8th Street
Admission: Free!
Enjoy free live music from Vancouver’s own Blonde Diamond, bringing their energetic blend of indie rock and roll, R&B, and disco to the main stage. Canada’s Drag Race’s sensation, Synthia Kiss has also been added to the lineup alongside musical performances by Royal Oak, Dani Camacho, Parlour Panther, Sound Cinema, and William Chernoff Trio. Additionally, the DJ & Dance Stage is back and will showcase breakdance battles and DJ sets throughout the day, culminating in an epic breakdance battle finale.
“We want to encourage people to get out of their cars this summer and experience the region using transit. Car Free Day is a great opportunity for everyone to visit and experience the best of their neighbourhoods using transit, walking, and cycling.”
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn.
Katie Brock, the fun-loving children’s musician, will be performing at the Kid’s Zone. Joining her will beYoyo national champion Terrance Wang and Yuki the Juggler. Also, in the Family Zone- free face painting, balloon art, a bounce house, and roving entertainers.
Food trucks on site will includeTornado Potato, Crack On, Frying Pan, Reel Mac & Cheese, and many more! Attendees also can enjoy one of the many extended patios along Columbia Street.
Stop by the vendor market to shop local artisans and make sure to visit the awesome storefronts along Columbia Street. Visit the TransLink Zone and make a pledge for a car-free summer to learn how personal steps can make an impact with Climate Action. Play the Transportation Game, for a chance to win terrific TransLink prizes.
Celebrate Summer at the Met as Metropolis at Metrotown hosts a lineup of inspiring new events, activities, and experiences fit for all ages — and enter to win my giveaway for a $300 gift card!
From now until September 24th, BC’s largest shopping centre will transform into a must-visit summer destination with interactive outdoor and indoor spaces, inspiring art installations, a fun limited-time-only MET Passport Challenge, educational workshops, memorable photo opportunities, tasty food and beverage, and more.
Liz West Art at the Metropolis at Metrotown South Plaza – Photo by Sean Pollock Photography
Soak in the sunshine and enjoy a leisurely afternoon at the new outdoor South Plaza. Metropolis at Metrotown has transformed their outdoor space located at the South Plaza into a lively and inspiring summer oasis, featuring inspiring art installations, creative seating, and culinary experiences serving sweet and savoury treats and refreshing beverages.
Marvel at inspiring art installations and a floor mural located at the outdoor South Plaza, curated and produced by creative placemaking and public art firm, MASSIVart.
There’s “Hymn to the Big Wheel” by acclaimed British artist Liz West (pictured above), which is an immersive sculptural work exploring the illusion and physicality of colour and natural light in space. And, step onto the new hand-painted floor mural by Trevor Wheatley and Cosmo Dean, designed to offer a new sense of welcome to the outdoor space.
Stay and play at indoor “parks” and enjoy colourful displays throughout the shopping centre. Each park features vibrant decor, memorable photo opportunities, and creative seating perfect for afternoon picnics indoors.
Participate in the MET Passport Challenge to win great prizes! Pick up your MET Passport Challenge booklet at the Guest Services Centre and collect stamps at retailers throughout the shopping centre. Earn stamps for trying free samples, taking selfies throughout the mall, collecting items from participating businesses, or making purchases. Redeem stamps for mall merchandise and enter to win one of three $300 shopping sprees.
Give back to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation. Metropolis at Metrotown is proud to support the Burnaby Hospital Foundation this summer. The foundation provides reliable, patient-centred healthcare to 500,000+ families in East Vancouver and Burnaby. Metropolis at Metrotown will donate a percentage of proceeds raised through Summer At The Met events and activities to the foundation.
Celebrate Pride with a dance performance by the FakeKnot Arts Society on August 4th at the South Plaza at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm. FakeKnot is grounded in street, commercial, and contemporary dance techniques that honor the queer, POC identity of Artistic Director, Ralph Escamillan. This performance, curated by MASSIVart, was created in response to Liz West’s “Hymn to the Big Wheel;” five performers will activate the sculpture and interact with its vivid kaleidoscope of colours through movements that knot together.
Attend engaging summer workshops where you can learn how to plant delicious, thriving herbs with The Heart Company, participate in arts and crafts, enjoy balloon artists, and live musical performances among other seasonal activities. Metropolis at Metrotown will be donating $5 for each workshop participant to the Burnaby Hospital Foundation.
Metropolis at Metrotown Giveaway
I have a $300 gift card to give away so you can shop and enjoy all that Metropolis at Metrotown has to offer this summer:
With over 330 stores, Skytrain access and free parking, more than 28 million shoppers are attracted to Metropolis at Metrotown annually. Major stores include Cineplex Cinemas, Forever 21, H&M, Hudson’s Bay, Indigo, Old Navy, Real Canadian Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sport Chek, T&T Supermarket, Toys “R” Us, Uniqlo, Vessi, Walmart, Winners HomeSense, and Zara.
The weather may have cooled a bit this week but the event list is heating up as we roll into the end of the month. From Pride events to live music, markets, exhibitions, theatre, and more! There’s no shortage of things to do in Vancouver this weekend.
After a three-year hiatus, White Spot Pirate Pak Day returns on Wednesday, August 16th. This is a legendary day in BC not only because for one day only everyone can feel like a kid again and enjoy this iconic children’s meal, but you’ll be supporting a great local cause.
White Spot Pirate Pak Day
On Wednesday, August 16th, $2 from each Adult and Kid’s Pirate Pak sold through dine-in and take-out will help send children and young adults to the Zajac Ranch for Children, a long-time BC based charity dedicated to giving children and young adults with life threatening illnesses and chronic disabilities an unforgettable camp experience.
53 full-service White Spot locations are participating (excluding Kelowna Airport, R+D Kitchen by White Spot & Triple O’s), with the availability of a one-day-only menu starting at 11:00am.
The Adult Pirate Pak Day menu is available for dine-in and take-out (delivery is excluded), and includes: a limited selection of famous burgers (Legendary, BC Chicken, Bacon Cheddar, and Brie & Mushroom Veggie); the White Spot Club; and Dippin’ Chicken. All are served in the iconic Pirate boat, and come complete with Kennebec fries, creamy coleslaw, a soft drink, a scoop of premium rich ice cream, and a chocolate “gold” coin.
In its 11th year, Pirate Pak Day has so far raised $889,502 (which equals 444,751 Pirate Paks sold), sending hundreds of children and young adults to camp for a special week at the 41-acre ranch in Mission, where they participate in a variety of activities, including horseback riding, kayaking, water sports and arts and crafts — opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise be possible. Hundreds of children have had their lives enriched, lasting memories created, and new experiences made possible through continued guest support of Pirate Pak Day.
This year, the annual day of Pirate fun and fundraising is poised to surpass a lifetime total charitable donation of $1 million raised on Pirate Pak Day for children and youth in need. That’s quite an accomplishment for the popular children’s meal, first introduced in 1968, and now with more than 24 million sold!
Normally only available to kids aged 10 and under, each Pirate Pak is served in the famous 100% recyclable and compostable cardboard boat and includes “endless” Kennebec fries, creamy coleslaw, choice of soft drink, premium rich ice cream, and the treasured “gold” coin that has served as the booty since founder Nat Bailey created the iconic meal.
Visit the White Spot website for more information or follow on Instagram.
