The unforgettable energy of the Honda Celebration of Light returns for its 28th year with a thrilling line-up featuring competing teams.

Honda Celebration of Light

For the first time ever, all three participating countries will be required to incorporate the same theme into their fireworks display and musical accompaniment. As voted by the public, this year’s theme
will be Love.

• Saturday, July 28, 2018 Fireworks for Africa, representing South Africa
• Wednesday, August 1, 2018 Unique Pyrotechnic, representing Sweden
• Saturday, August 4, 2018 Daehan Fireworks Co., representing South Korea

At 10:00pm each night, rain or shine, the fireworks will begin from barges located in English Bay. Music simulcast can be heard on LG 104.3 FM and through the festival’s mobile app, which will be released in early summer. The winning team will be announced on August 7th, 2018.

Family Fun, Reserved Seating, and More

Back again for all three days, the Park Stage at Second Beach is a free family-friendly festival site featuring live music, food trucks, sponsor activations, a site-wide liquor license and the REMAX Family Zone.

Channel your inner funkmaster at The Park Stage at Second Beach while listening to the diverse musical lineup. The free concert will feature the musical stylings of talents like Jully Black, Five Alarm Funk and Busty and the Bass. Rhythm will fill the air all day on July 28th, August 1st and August 4th leading up to the fireworks show high above Metro Vancouver. This is the perfect location to sit back with family and friends, relax in the sun and enjoy the music.

The best of Vancouver’s food truck scene will be lined up along Beach Ave. offering something for everyone. Take a stroll to find a whole range of delicious choices, including The Kaboom Box, Vancouver favourite Hunky Bill’s, Reel Mac & Cheese and Kampong. You’re sure to find mouth-watering meals to please even the pickiest of palates. And to finish it all off, stop by for a scoop at Rocky Point Ice Cream.

Make sure to keep your eyes in the skies as all three nights of the festival will feature the Pete McLeod Airshow dazzling the crowd above English Bay. On Saturday, August 1st, before Sweden’s fireworks performance, the Pete McLeod Airshow will also be joined by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. All three airshows are sure to be a hit amongst those young and old.

Attendees can reserve a seat at the 3-day summer festival with exclusive VIP and family-friendly viewing options of the fireworks with the best seats in the house! Limited seats are available for the 3 ticketed viewing locations: The Keg Lounge, the Concord Lounge at the Inukshuk, and the YVR Observation Deck with new partner Air Canada included in the Observation Deck experience.

Win YVR Observation Deck Passes

With an incredible festival line-up featuring South Africa, Sweden and South Korea, the YVR Observation Deck is the perfect place for families to sit back while enjoying the show. Your ticket includes reserved seats, fireworks performance music, ability to purchase alcoholic beverages and a designated bathroom facility.

I have a pair of tickets to give away so a lucky Miss604 reader and their guest can enjoy the fireworks from the YVR Observation Deck on Saturday, July 28 (value $88). Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Have a fireworks photo from previous years? Follow and tag @CelebOfLight & @Miss604 on Instagram (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win #YVRObservationDeck passes for the @celeboflight #fireworks #CelebofLight http://ow.ly/sn1J30kPyrt” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 2:00pm on Monday, July 9, 2018.

Follow the Honda Celebration of Light on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for more info.

Update The winner is Terry!

Contributed by Lisa Kadane for FestivalSeekers

Summer at Sun Peaks Resort

Just a four-hour drive from the lower mainland, Sun Peaks Resort has long drawn Vancouverites for skiing and riding every winter. When the seasons change, mountain views, wildflower trails, lively patios and weekend events turn the resort into a summer playground where adventure meets culture. Here’s how to make the most of Sun Peaks’ festival season.

Check out how Sun Peaks kicked off a rockin’ summer »

Adrenaline thrills on two wheels
Try downhill mountain biking on Sun Peaks’ 40 trails that range from gentle descents to white-knuckle technical drops. Access the 2,000 feet of vertical with a day pass and chairlift ride, or watch the pros scream down the trails during the BC Downhill Championships and BC Cup July 7-8, 2018. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

Summer is officially here and just a SkyTrain away is a hiking, swimming, lounging haven tucked in beside inner-city forests and trendy shopping centres. For day-trippers looking for new ground to cover and for families wanting to shake things up, Coquitlam has tons of ways to keep you cool all summer long.

7 Ways to Cool Down in Coquitlam This Summer

1) Make a Splash
With the mercury climbing, families are looking for ways to stay cool and embrace the summer weather, while we have it. Coquitlam has some of THE best parks in the lower-mainland and the spray parks are no exception. With seven to choose from (nestled in neighbourhoods, or right in the City Centre), these interactive and state-of-the -art spray parks make for a perfect day outdoors.

Blue Mountain Spray Park | 975 King Albert Street
Burns Spray Park | 802 Edgar Street
Galloway Spray Park | 3404 Galloway Avenue
Mackin Spray Park | 1046 Brunette Avenue
Norm Staff Spray Park | 3320 David Avenue
Town Centre Spray Park | 1299 Pinetree Way
Panorama Spray Park | 1455 Johnson Street Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

July is here and so are a ton of festivals, free community events, and fun activities throughout Metro Vancouver. Here’s what you can get up to this first full weekend of the month:

Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend

Friday, July 6, 2018
FVDED in the Park
10 Year Biltmore Birthday Bash
Opening Reception: Made Manifest | Mad Pride
D.O.A. First Annual Fight Back Festival
Vancouver Chamber Choir: Schafer/85: A Birthday Spectacular
Fridays on Front, New West
Adults Only Playland Nights
Kitsilano Showboat
Richmond Night Market
Shipyards Night Market North Vancouver
Indian Summer Festival
Dancing on the Edge Festival
Tomo Suru Players Presents: The Dance Teacher
Vancouver TheatreSports: Avocado Toast, Free-Range Comedy Continue reading this post ⟩⟩

The popular 1,000 foot waterslide down Lonsdale returns to the City of North Vancouver this summer, but it’s just one of many fun events and attractions coming to the 4th annual Fun City Festival!

Fun City Festival

Where: Victoria Park (Lonsdale & Keith Rd, North Vancouver)
When: Saturday, July 21 & Sunday, July 22, 2018 10:00am to 6:00pm
Tickets: The festival is FREE! Tickets for Slide the City ($30-$50) are available online.

Activities will take place around Victoria Park, where you’ll find food trucks, music, plus change rooms, a bag check, and free shuttle thanks to North Shore Neighbourhood House. Down at The Shipyards, check out the “Summer Sessions” concert series with Coco Jafro, a beverage garden, vendors, more food trucks, and more.

Parking for the event will be limited and biking, walking or transit is encouraged.

Win Slide Passes

I have a pair of Unlimited slide passes to give away for Slide the City! With these two tickets you can slide as many times as you like on either Saturday or Sunday, you pick. Here are a few ways you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Follow the City of North Vancouver & Miss604 on Twitter (1 entry)
• Follow the City of North Vancouver & Miss604 on Facebook (1 entry)
• Like, comment on, or share this post on Facebook (1 entry)
• Click below to get another entry by posting on Twitter:

[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win unlimited one-day @SlideTheCity passes #FunCityFestival #NorthVan #SlidetheCity @CityofNorthVan http://ow.ly/bA3q30kOxl2″ quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, July 12, 2018.

Follow the City of North Vancouver on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for information about the Fun City Festival and more.

Update The winner is Sabrina!