The patio chairs have been dusted off, picnic blankets unfurled and the Surrey Canada Day lineup has been released — summer is almost here! Celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with over 100,000 others at one of the country’s largest Canada Day festivals.
Surrey Canada Day
Where: Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre in Cloverdale (176 St & 64 Ave) When: Saturday, July 1, 2017 10:00am to 11:00pm (fireworks at 10:30pm) Admission: FREE! You can also purchase tickets for the midway rides, and snacks from the many food trucks and vendors on site.
Surrey Canada Day Lineup
On two stages throughout the festival you’ll find Canadian rockers Hedley, along with Magic!, One More Girl, Sam the Astronaut, Sway, The Big Shiny Band, Aché Brasil, Best Night Ever, Cedar Hills Caledonian Pipe Band, Chilliwack, DJ Flipout, Good for Grapes, Marie Hui, Music with Marnie, Matt Henry, an Indigenous Showcase, RupLoops, Shiamak’s Vancouver Dance Team, and Vancity Bhangra.
Games Land, Sports Zone, Science World, Storyville, Toddler Town, and a new zipline will bring the fun on Canada Day.
The Canada 150 Zone will include a variety of Canadian-themed activities and crafts and amazing local performances by First Nations performers, hoop dancers, French-Canadian artists and more. Make maple treats, get your face painted, meet Canadian artists, write a message on the Big Love Ball and more.
What do famed Olympic sprinter Andre De Grasse, teddy bears, Charlotte Diamond and Scottish kilts have in common? These are all sightings you can expect to see in Coquitlam this June! Whether you’re a sports enthusiast, a parent of young kids or a working professional in search of new adventures, get ready, get set…
Andre De Grasse. Photo by Brian Cliff
1. See Andre De Grasse race
Watch as Canada’s fastest man takes to the track at Percy Perry Stadium in the hopes of posting a record run. Andre De Grasse, who made headlines at the Rio Olympics, will compete in Coquitlam on Wednesday, June 28 at The Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic.
Others to watch include Melissa Bishop, the Canadian indoor and outdoor 800-metre record holder, and decathlete Damian Warner, who won a bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Hop off at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station.
2. Get your Scottish kicks
Dig out the kilts and tartans and get ready to celebrate the BC Highland Games & Scottish Festival on Saturday, June 17 at Percy Perry Stadium (near Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain). You don’t need to have Scottish blood to enjoy the festivities, which includes highland bagpipers and dancers, drumming, heavy event athletes, food, whisky tasting, a beer garden, a haggis hunt, live music, Scottish delicacies and children’s activities.
3. Free family concert with Charlotte Diamond Round up the kids for an outdoor concert experience as performers take the stage at the Town Centre Park Plaza on Saturday, June 10 (near Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station).
The entertainment begins with Tony Prophet at 3:00pm, Kellie Haines Ventriloquist at 3:45pm and Charlotte Diamond at 4:30pm. Don’t forget your teddy bears!
4. Teddy Bear Picnic Grande Parade
Cheer on the parade as it weaves its way throughout Coquitlam toward Town Centre Park, beginning at 9:45am on Sunday, June 11 (easily accessed by SkyTrain). The Teddy Bear Picnic kicks off at 11:00am, featuring storytelling, puppet shows, free balloons and face painting.
Fun at the Como Lake Fishing Derby in May
5. Free fishing derby at Lafarge Lake
Take part in some free, fishy fun for the whole family from 9:00am to 1:00pm on Sunday, June 18. Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC will be stocking Lafarge Lake in the morning with rainbow trout, so chances are high of reeling in a fish. Experts will also be on site teaching new techniques. The lake is at Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station, with ample parking in Lot D at Town Centre Park.
6. Fraser Pacific Rose Society’s Rose & Floral Art Show BC’s largest rose show is a juried event featuring hundreds of roses and horticultural exhibits plus free floral arrangement demos and guided tours. It all takes place at Dogwood Pavilion, 1655 Winslow Ave, on Saturday, June 10 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm and Sunday, June 11 from 9:00am to 3:00pm (award ceremony on Sunday at 3:00pm).
7. Hockey Night in Canada’s Play On!
Interested in street hockey? The world’s largest street hockey tournament and sports festival is coming to Coquitlam Centre from June 17-18 (at Lincoln SkyTrain station). Register your team before June 12 for this fun four-on-four street hockey tournament that aims to help kids feel like NHL pros, and adults feel like kids again.
8. Daisy Day
A family-friendly event in Austin Heights (1000 Austin Ave) on Saturday, June 10 complete with children’s activities, prizes and a free pancake breakfast prepared by the Coquitlam Kinsmen. Enjoy performances throughout the day from Chapter 11, Fat Jazz, Five on a String, Disney singing princesses and a magician.
9. Saint-Jean Baptiste Day
Join in the French Canadian celebrations on Saturday, June 24, starting at Vancouver’s Canada Place from 10:00am Share this special “joie de vivre” as the fun moves to Chez Nous, 209 Lebleu St. in Maillardville, Coquitlam, from 5:00pm, featuring live music, sweet treats and family fun.
10. Snap a photo, win a prize?
Calling all adventurers! Have some fun while exploring Coquitlam this month. Your mission: Spot any of the four picture frames posted in prime positions throughout the city, pose for a photo, and share publicly on social media using the hashtag #explorecoquitlam. One lucky participant will win an awesome prize (to be drawn after June 30, 2017). Full contest details are online here »
Summer Festival Highlights
Coquitlam Celebrates Canada 150 (July 1): Live music on two stages, a climbing wall and craft beer, all topped off with fireworks, at Town Centre Park.
CanWest Games (July 28-30): Watch as athletes compete in the largest Functional Fitness Competition in Western Canada. Complete with a vendor village and beer gardens.
Kaleidoscope Arts Festival (August 12): Music, theatre, dance, food trucks, craft beer and family-friendly entertainment will fill Town Centre Park. Bif Naked headlines the main stage, also featuring musical acts throughout the day including The Matinée.
Free outdoor movies are a summertime tradition in Vancouver, set in beautiful locations like Second Beach in Stanley Park. Every Tuesday, from July 4th to August 22nd, you can plan your date night, friends night, and night out watching some of your favourite movies as the sun sets by the ocean.
Free Outdoor Movies in Vancouver
Evo Summer Cinema at Second Beach, Stanley Park
Date: Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 after sunset 9:20pm
Film: LEGO Batman Movie Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 after sunset 9:15pm
Film: Goonies Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, July 18th, 2017 after sunset 9:10pm
Film: Toy Story Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, July 25th, 2017 after sunset 9:00pm
Film: National Lampoon’s Vacation Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2017 after sunset 9:00pm
Film: Beauty and the Beast (Sing Along) Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, August 8th, 2017 after sunset 8:40pm
Film: Jaws Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, August 15th, 2017 after sunset 8:30pm
Film: Harry Potter II Facebook Event RSVP »
Date: Tuesday, August 22nd, 2017 after sunset 8:30pm
Film: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Facebook Event RSVP »
These are family friendly events (no smoking, no alcohol), and you can bring your own blanket or lawn chair. New this year, there will be brand-new lawn blankets for sale at the Fresh Air Cinema Snack Bar.
Just in time for Father’s Day, Wood in Philosophy is offering a discount code and prize giveaway for Miss604 readers. This Vancouver-based company creates meticulously hand-crafted wooden wrist watches and iPhone cases, perfect for treating yourself to a new stylish accessory, or to give as a gift.
Wood in Philosophy
Wood In Philosophy‘s products are made from natural materials that are inspired by minimalist design. Shop online today using the code Miss604 to receive 10% off your purchase leading up to Father’s Day on June 18th.
These timepieces, available in classic and chrono, make great groomsmen gift, corporate/team gifts, and can be personalized with engravings.
Watch Giveaway
You can enter to win your choice of one any of Wood in Philosophy’s wood watches plus the winner will receive free shipping! As an added bonus they will also include a free personalized engraving on the back of the watch. Here’s how you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a personalized/engraved @WoodNPhilosophy watch http://bit.ly/2szZ9to” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, June 12, 2017.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — This post is sponsored by Kijiji's Second-Hand Van. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
Kijiji, Canada’s most popular local classifieds site, has found a new way to connect with buyers, sellers, and traders through the Second-Hand Van web series. You can follow host Daniel Fu around Vancouver where he’ll explore some of the goods, cars, services, and more that are available from locals on Kijiji.
Second-Hand Van from Kijiji
Fu has hosted one season of Second Hand Van, going behind the scenes of Vancouver’s second-hand economy with an amazing range of characters who make the scene tick.
“There are so many unique items on Kijiji – everything from paintings to bikes, and even classic Nintendo consoles – which I just purchased last week!” says Fu. “The best part about buying second-hand is that almost every item you find has a story.”
He once came across some wicker baskets, which he thought had no real value. It turned out they were First Nations baskets dating way back and were worth $15,000 each. “I always like to ask how and where a seller got the item, and why they’re trying to sell it to learn more. You might find out that the item you’re purchasing is worth more than you think!”
On top of the unique finds he makes as a Kijiji super user, there are so many everyday necessities that you can find as well.
“Whether you’re looking for a rare antique or a bike to commute to work every day, individuals can look to the second-hand economy for every type of item or service for a more affordable price. If you’re looking for it, someone is likely selling it, so it’s worth doing a quick search.”
Once you start watching the web series you’ll notice that Fu doesn’t do this alone. He meets buyers, sellers, and industry pros that help him restore, repair, and improve some of his Kijiji purchases.
“What many people don’t realize is that you can find so many skilled people online who can help repair, improve and shine second-hand items. For example, in the 4th episode of Second-Hand Van, I was lucky enough to help a local renovate her van to make it more functional and comfortable to live in. We sourced an amazing craftsman on Kijiji to do the work and now she has a great space that meet all her needs. There are so many people that trade their skills and services for products or cash. You never know if you don’t ask!”
Fu says that there are many different ways that Vancouverites leverage second-hand items to improve their lives.
“From sourcing affordable surfboards to learning how to ride a wave in Tofino, to purchasing vintage motorcycles for cruising around the city, or exploring what it’s like to live in a decked out van, Vancouver’s second-hand economy can truly be leveraged to add value to people’s lives – locals are doing it every day in unique and fun ways.”
After 4 episodes of Second-Hand Van, Fu has learned a thing or two about the second-hand economy in Vancouver, that’s unique to our region.
“Vancouver has tons of amazing furniture and Asian artifacts that date back to the Expo days due to the influx of immigrants during that period. A lot of beautiful fine china and red wood furniture in this city. Also, jade is huge in BC right now as only two places in the world have a large deposit of it.”
Tips for Upcycling
“Look on online and do your research. The internet is your oyster and there are a lot of amazing DIY ideas that you can leverage to upcycle second-hand items you’ve found. You can make your item worth even more by revamping it!”
Round up the kids for 
