Walking through the PNE Forum last year, John and I were in awe of call the cool gadgets, roaming exhibits, and fascinating creations that were a part of Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. Robots were rolling around, inventions and crafts were being shown off, and the soldering station was full of dads and daughters working together. It was such a fun and creative atmosphere, and it’s coming back to the PNE Forum this summer.
Vancouver Mini Maker Faire
What do liquid nitrogen desserts, stained glass video game characters, and interactive art installations have in common? They’re just some of the fascinating Maker projects exhibiting at the 5th annual Vancouver Mini Maker Faire!
When: June 11-12, 2016 from 10:00am to 6:00pm
Where: PNE Forum (Renfrew & Hastings)
Tickets: On sale online now
This year is shaping up to be the biggest and best year yet featuring a curated selection of workshops and presentations, and more than 120 exhibits for attendees to discover what Vancouver Makers have been creating behind closed doors.
What once may have been a solo project by a garage tinkerer or a side diversion by a hobby club is now celebrated at this yearly show-&-tell. Since the first event in Vancouver in 2011, VMMF has showcased the do-it-yourself ethos that has inspired not only a global movement of Makers, but the cooperative and creative community that has sprouted in Vancouver in recent years.
It’s the only event where you’ll see this city’s tech enthusiasts, crafters, librarians, science clubs, hobbyists, artists, and imaginative kids congregated under one roof in a two-day celebration of learning, inventing and making. Complete with interactive displays, hands-on workshops, roaming exhibitions, boisterous performers and lively project demonstrations, the event is perfect for the creative or the curious of all ages. We’ve also got food trucks to keep you going as you explore the grounds.
Whether you build, craft, teach, hack, invent, or just want to learn, Vancouver Mini Maker Faire encourages everyone to roll up their sleeves, cast off the fear of failure, and make!
Win a Family Pack of Tickets
I have a family pack of tickets (4) to give away to Vancouver Mini Maker Faire. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, May 18, 2016. Follow Vancouver Mini Maker Faire on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Extra Giveaway!
Update The first winner is Steve V! I’m going to keep this going with ANOTHER family pack up for grabs until Thursday, May 26, 2016 at 12:00pm.
Miss604 is a proud partner of Vancouver Mini Maker Faire
I’ve done the surprise party and the pub nights, I’ve hosted friends and family for dinner, and I’ve collected my free birthday beverages at local coffee shops but when 2016 rolled around I wanted to share what I love with some of the people I love the most in this world. For my birthday this year, I wanted to walk in the woods with my friends.
On a chilly but sunny January morning my husband walked to the Sea Bus terminal in Downtown Vancouver and hopped the commuter boat across Burrard Inlet to the Lonsdale Quay exchange in North Vancouver. We got on the 228 Upper Lynn Valley rode it all the way to the aptly-named End of the Line General Store. There, inside the cafe, were my friends and my sister, enjoying a pre-hike warm-up beverage.
Lynn Canyon Park opened in 1912 and has been a popular playground for locals ever since. Spanning 617 acres, it features hiking trails — from easy loops for the family to connections to the North Shore’s extensive Baden-Powell Trail — a cafe and ecology centre, the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge, forest trails and waterfall views. For my birthday, I wanted walk in this west coast rain forest wilderness. And I did. And I took many photos:
Lynn Canyon Photowalk
Moss dripped from branches like melting snow and fellow hikers huddled for photo opportunities along the banks of the river. The air was crisp and clean, and our little group filed between colossal evergreens, in between our own stops to pose for Instagram-worthy pictures. Sunshine lit the canopy, turning bright greens into yellows, while arrow-straight firs lined every hillside like prison bars but they made you feel exceptionally free.
View all of my Lynn Canyon photos in this album on Flickr.
The Fair at the PNE is a 105 year old tradition in Vancouver but they are currently seeking public input to see if they should have new dates starting in 2018.
“Each year, the Fair at the PNE runs the last 2 weeks of August, ending on Labour Day Monday. Weather plays a significant role in the success of the Fair, but 30 years of research shows that it continues to get colder and wetter during late August. The PNE is considering moving the Fair to the last 2 weeks of July ending on Monday of August BC Day long weekend. This change would begin in 2018 or later.”
Complete the survey to share your input about new dates for the PNE and as a token of appreciation, you will be entered into a draw to win 1 of 85 prizes. Follow the PNE on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
Nanaimo’s annual festival of food, Feastival returns for the second year, June 17-18, 2016. It features a tradeshow event, family cooking classes, celebrity chefs, and Sips at Feastival, featuring local craft breweries, small-batch island wineries, local artisanal spirit producers. I recently wrote a story for FestivalSeekers about another major component of the festival: the third annual chowder competition.
While you’re in town for the savoury treats cooked up at Feastival, you can enjoy some sweets — and some sweet views — with these other activities to get the most out of your Nanaimo visit for Feastival:
Nanaimo Bar Trail
This classic Vancouver Island dessert has an entire self-guided walking tour in its honour, the Nanaimo Bar Trail. With over 30 suggested stops, you can devour classic squares or Nanaimo Bar truffles and cupcakes, deep fried Nanaimo Bars, and even a Nanaimo Bar Martini.
Ammonite Falls Hike
Just a quick drive from town, you can hike into Ammonite Falls in Benson Creek Falls Regional Park. Wind up and down the hilly terrain on a well-marked path that leads you between evergreens and across a brief clearing until you reach the ravine carved out by the falls. At the top, you’ll find a steep pathway down to the base of the falls along with a rope to help you keep your balance, and steady your footing on the way back up.
Pose for Instagram photos in the mist once the waterfalls are reached, cool down, then begin your return trip. It’s definitely a popular course, about 1 hour each way from the designated parking lot to the falls, and you’ll find other hikers and trail runners along the route.
Flightseeing Tour with Sunshine Coast Air
Want to get a unique view of the city of Nanaimo and its surrounding islands? Get above it all on a flightseeing tour with Sunshine Coast Air.
Departing right from the heart of the Nanaimo harbour, this scenic 40 minute float plane tour heads south Nanaimo through the Stuart Channel. Spot wildlife and take some photos of Gabriola Island, Cedar Island, DeCourcy Island, Ruxton Island, Valdes Island, and Thetis Island before you loop back towards Nanaimo harbour.
Feast in Nanaimo, and play in its backyard this summer! Read my full article about Feastival Nanaimo over on the FestivalSeekers website and check out Tourism Nanaimo‘s resources to plan your trip to this thriving Vancouver Island region.
There’s something very special about going to the theatre in Vancouver and something even more spectacular happens when that theatre experience takes place seaside, at sunset, on a gloriously warm summer night. Bard on the Beach returns this summer for its 27th season, with the white tents at Vanier Park hosting the award-winning Shakespeare Festival from June 3rd until September 24th.
Photo courtesy of Bard on the Beach.
Bard on the Beach Summer 2016
Play run dates and Special Events for 2016 are:
Romeo and Juliet
June 3 – September 23 (BMO Mainstage)
Opening Night Friday, June 10, 2016
The Merry Wives of Windsor
June 17 – September 24 (BMO Mainstage)
Opening Night Friday, June 24, 2016
Othello
June 24 – September 17 (Howard Family Stage)
Opening Night Thursday, July 7, 2016
Pericles
July 2 – September 18 (Howard Family Stage)
Opening Night Sunday, July 10, 2016
Bard-B-Q & Fireworks
Saturday, July 23, Wednesday July 27 & Saturday, July 30 at 5:00pm
Tickets from $95
Includes play, dinner, on-site entertainment including a world-champion pipe band, and exclusive fireworks viewing.
Chor Leoni
Mane Stage
Mondays, June 20 & 27 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Wine Wednesdays
July 13, August 10 & September 7 at 6:00pm.
$21 (must purchase play ticket for same evening)
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at Bard
Mondays, July 11 & 18 at 7:30pm
Opera & Arias: The Magic Flute
A costumed concert staging
Mondays, August 29 & September 5 at 2:00pm & 7:30pm
Exploring Shakespeare Talks
Delve deeper into each play’s story and background with Simon Fraser University’s Paul Budra. Saturdays, June 11 and 25, July 16 and August 13 at 11:00am.
Salon Series
July 18, August 29 and September 5 at 7:00pm
New this season, behind-the-scenes panel discussions.
Talkback Tuesdays
July 5 – August 30, 2016
Free post-show discussions following Tuesday performances in both theatres.
Family Nights
July 6, August 3 and August 31 at 6pm
Lively pre-show activities, family package pricing available.
Ticket prices for 2016 include all applicable fees and taxes and begin at $20 for every regular performance. Early booking is recommended for best seat selection; all seats are reserved and many performances sell out in advance. Book tickets through the Bard Box Office at (604) 739-0559, (toll free) 1-877-739-0559 or order online through the Bard website.
Bard on the Beach is one of Canada’s largest not-for-profit, professional Shakespeare festivals. Established in 1990, Bard is an annual summer festival with a mission to perform, explore and celebrate the genius of William Shakespeare, surrounded by the natural beauty of Vancouver, British Columbia. Play performances run Tuesday through Sunday with matinees on selected weekends and weekdays; numerous special events on Monday evenings. All evening performances start at 7:30pm. Follow Bard on the Beach on Facebook and Twitter.
