There’s nothing quite like the feeling you get when you’re in Vancouver and you see a weekend forecast full of sunshine. This weekend Miss604 is proud to support the Surrey International Children’s Festival, there’s also cooking classes, art walk, orchestra, farmers markets, outdoor dancing, fishing, and craft beer — something for everyone to enjoy!
Things to do in Vancouver This Weekend
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green.
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The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd! The Vancouver Canadians start their season on June 15th with their first game at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium on June 20th. Fans can expect a post-game fireworks extravaganza presented by Whistler Brewing. The first 2,500 fans to the ballpark will also receive a magnetic schedule giveaway also presented by Whistler Brewing.
This year, on top of affordable family fun cheering on our hometown boys, fans can enjoy 8 Fireworks Extravaganzas, 7 A&W Family Fun Sundays, 6 Scotiabank ‘Nooner at the Nat days, 3 Superstar Series Appearances and much more!
I have often joked with fellow moms that there is no such thing as “vacation” when you have young children. The sheer amount of work it takes to pack, travel, plan and unpack with little ones isn’t really my idea of relaxation. However, this past weekend in Parksville, I felt like I was winning at parenthood.
Parksville is a short drive from Departure Bay or Duke Point in Nanaimo, about half-hour and the traffic actually moves quickly off the ferry. I have always enjoyed taking BC Ferries and my kids love it too. We often sit up on the top deck when I can tear them away from the kids play area and watch for whales and dolphins. They love grabbing a traditional White Spot lunch, followed by some Uno and colouring. My happy place is being on the water and even traveling on my own with the kids, I found some moments to relax this weekend.
Top 5 Things To Do in Parksville with Kids
1. Beach it up!
Parksville has the most amazing beaches. The beach in front of the Beach Club Resort reminded me of California where the tide goes out for miles and the sand is a dream for sandcastle creations. We spent about three hours building, playing, collecting sand dollars and picnicking out on the sand bars. Each summer, Parksville is home to the incredible Canadian Open Sand Sculpting competition and exhibition.
2. Park and Play
The community park is the jewel of Parksville including a beautiful waterfront boardwalk, skate park, water park and playground. My children spent hours here, moving from the water park to the playground. The playground is surrounded by a fantastic picnic area with benches, a grassy area and delicious food trucks in case you forgot to pack a picnic. My kids loved the mini waterslide, tire swing and zipline.
3. Mini Golf
Parksville boasts two mini golf courses – Paradise Fun Park and Riptide Lagoon. We tried out the courses at Riptide Lagoon and stayed for Island Farms ice cream after. I even managed to get a few hole in ones and the kids loved all the different obstacles.
4. Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Morningstar Farms
Where can you go and sample about twenty different types of delectable cheeses and your kids can go on a scavenger hunt around a farm spotting (and allowed to pet) donkeys, rabbits, horses, cows and goats? Look no further than this quaint farm and local, ethical and sustainable farmstead cheese. We also spent some time in the “Calfe” for a hot chocolate and their famous Mars Bar rice krispie squares. Only about 10 minutes drive out of downtown Parksville.
5. Goats on the Roof Coombs Old Country Market is a must when staying in Parksville. It is a quick 12 minute drive and worth at least an hour of your time (with kids) and likely more if you have more patient people in your party. I loved spending time in the market looking at all the amazing local food including some delicious local candied wild salmon and the kids quickly found some great little trinkets to remember their weekend.
Where to Stay & Eat
Photo courtesy Beach Club Resort
The Beach Club Resort has perfect positioning in Parksville, just a five minute walk to the playground along the waterfront boardwalk. The property itself is beautiful and has all the amenities you need when travelling with children. The kids couldn’t get enough of the indoor pool and hot tub! But when they did and we were all starving, they squealed with delight over room service.
Our server brought up the kids menus and crayons and colouring sheets so they could get the whole experience. The rooms, service and entire experience was outstanding. They also offer babysitting services if you want to enjoy a kid free dinner overlooking the sunset at Pacific Prime Restaurant on site. We are rebooking another trip for the summer soon before they sell out!
Also, give Cuckoo Italian Restaurant at Coombs Market a try for traditional Italian. My kids loved their wood-fired pizzas and I had a heavenly dinner including the best Caprese salad I have ever had and mouth watering pasta dish with seafood. We all enjoyed sharing the famous “Peanut Butter Stack” for dessert. Very kid friendly and the Italian music, patio lights and water features make this my most peaceful dining experience with kids yet.
Tips for Traveling BC Ferries
Make reservations – I don’t know about you but standing by for multiple ferries over the long weekend with children, isn’t my preferred way to travel. We booked two weeks out with no problem.
Take advantage of the kid friendly activities – Tsawwassen terminal has an awesome kids play park. I practically had to drag my children into the car when our departure was announced.
Pack some extra jackets – on sunny days, we always hit the decks but it can be a lot cooler so to avoid meltdowns, pack some layers.
If all else fails – kids zone. All the ferries I have travelled on to Nanaimo have the kids areas and I make it a habit to provide my kids with a 30 minute max so we can have some downtime of games and White Spot.
Are you looking for live music, dancing, family fun, and a ticket price of zero dollars? You are in luck! There is a handful of festivals around Metro Vancouver this summer and you won’t have to pay a thing to get in.
Burnaby Heights Hats Off Day
When: Saturday, June 3, 2017 Where: Hastings between Boundary & Gamma Highlights: Hats Off Day is a huge, one-day extravaganza featuring a colourful main-street style parade followed by a big street party. The street is packed with nearly 100,000 families, friends, neighbours, and merchants each year! More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Unite! A Celebration of Canadian Multiculturalism
When: Tuesday, June 27, 2017 Where: North Point & West Promenade, Canada Place Highlights: Engage with artisans and roaming performers, participate in a variety of interactive experiences, workshops, and creation stations as you make your way to the North Point for the main event. Popular performers including musicians, dancers and drummers. The day will finish off with a free concert on the stage at the North Point, featuring Alex Cuba and headliners Delhi 2 Dublin. More Info:Website | Facebook
Italian Day on The Drive
When: Sunday, June 11, 2017 Where: Commercial Drive Highlights: E Italian Day on The Drive represents the largest one day cultural street festival in the city – and perhaps in Canada – drawing over 350,000 enthusiastic attendees of all cultures and ages. It is a multi-cultural and community embrace under the Italian Day umbrella offering over 200 street participants comprised of: sponsors, merchants, retail booths, food vendors and restaurant patios, as well as stages with live music and theatre, street performers, classic cars, activities and displays, children’s amusement zones and more. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Point Grey Fiesta
When: Saturday, June 17, 2017 (Carnival June 16-18) Where: Trimble Park (2250 Trimble St, Vancouver) Highlights: The Point Grey Fiesta is the community’s annual start-of-summer event for families and friends. Starting with a Saturday parade on West 10th avenue, the Saturday celebration continues in Trimble Park with stage performances, activities and exhibitors. Carnival rides in Trimble Park operate from Friday to Sunday. With the exception of the carnival rides and midway games, Fiesta entertainment and children’s activities are free of charge. More Info:Website | Facebook
Lynn Valley Days
When: Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18, 2017 Where: Lynn Valley field Highlights: Friday night is a gala under the big top tent; Saturday there is a family fair with carnival rides, and a dance; Sunday is a Father’s Day pancake breakfast. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Car Free Day in Vancouver
When: June 17 & June 18, 2017 and July 9, 2017 Where: Main Street, West End, Kitsilano, and Commercial Drive Highlights: 4 festivals, 3 days, 2 weekends of community block parties, live music, and more. Main Street spans 21 blocks and will have 15 stages; West End will be all along Denman from Robson to Davie, and there will be block parties all throughout Kitsilano. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Khatsahlano Street Part
When: Saturday, July 8, 2017 Where: Along West 4th Ave in Kitsilano Highlights: Khatsahlano, features multiple stages showcasing more than 50 of Vancouver’s top musical performers as well as the eclectic work of local artisans and street performers. This 10-block street fair, spanning from Burrard to MacDonald Street also features a wide variety of food options, bustling patios, giveaways, special activities, and licensed beer gardens. Catch The Zolas, DOA, Louise Burns, War Baby, Roots Roundup, Malcolm Jack, and more on stage. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Carnaval del Sol
When: Saturday, July 8 & Sunday, July 9 2017 Where: 88 Pacific Blvd, North False Creek Highlights: The largest latin carnaval in the Pacific Northwest. Live music, dancing, art, a beer plaza, a travel plaza with cooking demos, family plaza with fashion shows, kids plaza, food plaza and more. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Honeybee Festival
When: Saturday July 15 & Sunday July 16, 2017 Where: Honeybee Centre (7480 176 St at Fraser Hwy, Surrey) Highlights: Family fun, face painting, Beestro food, and live musical entertainment with Bee Beard Showcase and beekeeping demos to awe happy crowds. More Info:Website | Facebook
Surrey Fusion Festival
When: Saturday, July 22 & Sunday, July 23, 2017 Where: Holland Park, Surrey Highlights: Nelly Furtado will be headlining this year’s festival and the full lineup will be announced soon. Enjoy activities, crafts, food, and demos from dozens of vendors and over 40 cultural pavilions. Over 70 performances will be scheduled on 4 stages throughout the two-day festival. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Columbia StrEAT Food Truck Festival
When: Saturday, July 29, 2017 Where: Downtown New Westminster Highlights: The largest one day food truck festival in Canada! Join 120,000 other attendees for this street festival, admission is free. Then, purchase snacks and meals from Vij’s Railway Express, Tacofino Vancouver, JAPADOG, Flying Fish N Chipper, Feastro Taco Truck & Catering, and many more. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Celebration of Light & Park Stage at Second Beach
When: Saturday, July 29; Wednesday, August 2; Saturday, August 5 Where: Second Beach, Stanley Park Highlights: New this year! The Celebration of Music at Second Beach in Stanley Park taking place all 3 days of the Celebration of Light. The Park Stage at Second Beach will host areas to view the fireworks at English Bay and an array of performers along with food and drinks. Programming announcements coming soon. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Harmony Arts Festival
When: August 4-13, 2017 Where: West Vancouver’s waterfront, between 14th & 17th St on Argyle Ave Highlights: Details coming soon for the 27th annual event. All but two events are FREE. Enjoy visual art exhibit, art market (two weekends), outdoor concerts on two stages, licensed beachside restaurant spaces in the heart of the action, variety of food vendors and delicious treats, drop-in art activities for both kids and adults. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Kaleidoscope Arts Festival
When: Saturday, August 12, 2017 Where: Town Centre Park, Coquitlam Highlights: Featuring Bif Naked, The Matinee, and more live entertainment. Savour the flavours of the local food truck and craft brew scene, enjoy the very best of mucic and dance, and check out the handiworks at the artisan fair. More Info:Website | Facebook | Twitter
Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir (“GNVGC”) presents Soul Gospel 2, the second concert uniting two influential and inspiring genres on June 3rd at Christ Church Cathedral.
Vancouver’s own JUNO-nominated vocalist Warren Dean Flandez lends his dark, rich tone, and silky, smooth falsetto to the 90 voices of Good Noise, performing his own original works as well as hits made famous by such stars as Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, and more.
What: Good Noise Vancouver Gospel Choir presents Soul Gospel 2 with Warren Dean Flandez
Where: Christ Church Cathedral (690 Burrard St, Vancouver)
When: June 3, 2017 @ 3:00pm & 7:30pm
Tickets: Available online now for the 3:00pm show and the 7:30pm show or by calling 1-800-838-3006.
An artist described as “soulfully charged”, Warren Dean Flandez continues on his trajectory to fame thanks to his 2017 JUNO nominated album, Eternally Grateful. The record, which was in the running for ‘Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year’, earned praise across the country by critics who were charmed by the singer’s “wide vocal range and killer beats.” In March 2017, Flandez also scooped up two Covenant Awards given by the Gospel Music Association of Canada, winning ‘Urban Song of the Year’ for Never Dim My Light and ‘Gospel Song of the Year’ for Joy!
Flandez’ enigmatic sound and undeniably funky style garnered him further recognition by the industry. In 2011, he released his debut album, Vintage Love, a collaborative effort with award-winning producer Mike Southworth featuring contributions from R&B songstress Divine Brown, Printz Board (Black Eyed Peas), Andrea Martin (Roc Nation), and other acclaimed artists. Flandez returned to his gospel roots in 2016 with the EP, What the World Needs Now. Upon its release, the record shot to No. 2 on the iTunes Inspirational Charts Top 100.
The 90-voice GNVGC has a membership that includes singers from across the Lower Mainland, from the North Shore to Abbotsford and every town in between. Members of the choir come from a diversity of faith traditions (or none at all) sharing a common love of singing gospel and popular music. GNVGC is currently choir-in-residence at one of downtown Vancouver’s finest historic venues, Christ Church Cathedral.
Win Tickets to Soul Gospel II with Warren Dean Flandez
I have a pair of tickets to give away to the evening performance at 7:30pm. Here’s how you can enter to win:
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An artist described as “soulfully charged”, Warren Dean Flandez continues on his trajectory to fame thanks to his 2017 JUNO nominated album, Eternally Grateful. The record, which was in the running for ‘Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year’, earned praise across the country by critics who were charmed by the singer’s “wide vocal range and killer beats.” In March 2017, Flandez also scooped up two Covenant Awards given by the Gospel Music Association of Canada, winning ‘Urban Song of the Year’ for Never Dim My Light and ‘Gospel Song of the Year’ for Joy!