Summer in Vancouver means a trip to the PNE with the family and no experience is complete without checking out the amazing entertainment lineup that the fair offers each year. This summer is no exception with a roster of exciting concerts announced this week.
PNE Summer Concerts
An eagerly anticipated part of The Fair at the PNE, this year’s summer night concerts feature an exciting array of artists that are sure to please fans of all genres. Whether you’re a fan of the oldies, dancing with pop stars, rocking out, or getting down to R&B legends.
The Summer Night Concerts will run nightly at 8:30pm in the PNE Amphitheatre, starting Saturday, August 20 with KiSS RADiO WHAM BAM featuring Hedley, and will close Monday, September 5 at 8:30pm with ‘Wicked Games’ crooner Chris Isaak.
Saturday, August 20, 2016 KiSS RADiO WHAM BAM featuring Hedley**
Sunday, August 21, 2016 Alan Doyle & The Beautiful Gypsies
Tuesday, August 23, 2016 The Sheepdogs
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 Steve Miller Band
Thursday, August 25, 2016 Simple Plan
Friday, August 26, 2016 Olivia Newton-John
Saturday, August 27, 2016 FOREIGNER
Sunday, August 28, 2016 Culture Club
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 MONSTER TRUCK
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 A Tribe Called Red
Thursday, September 1, 2016 Dru Hill with Sisqo, Nokio, Jazz & Tao, 20th Anniversary
Friday, September 2, 2016 Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: We Live For Love Tour
Saturday, September 3, 2016 Tim Hicks
Sunday, September 4, 2016 The Monkees Good Times: The 50th Anniversary Tour
Monday, September 5, 2016 Chris Isaak
Prices & Seat Reservation
General Admission to Summer Night Concerts is FREE** with admission to the Fair. Concerts are FREE with admission but starting Friday, May 27 at 10:00am, super fans will have the opportunity to purchase a limited number of reserved seats starting at just $15. Reserved seats can be purchased online or onsite from the ticket booth located outside the venue entrance within the fairgrounds.
**KiSS RADiO WHAM BAM concert-goers must purchase Fair Gate admission in addition to concert tickets to gain entrance to the PNE Amphitheatre. The concert will not be free with Fair Gate admission.
Also at the Fair…
Angry BirdsTM Universe: Exhibition About The Art & Science Behind A Global Phenomenon
Daily 11:00am-11:00pm, Rollerland Building
Alien Worlds and Androids Exhibit
Daily 11:00am-10:00pm, Garden Auditorium
UNBELIEVABLE: A Magical Experience
Daily at 7:30pm, Pacific Coliseum
Festival Park
Festival Park is a brand new themed entertainment zone nestled in the heart of the Fair at the PNE. Come celebrate a classic Canadian summer, in anticipation of Canada turning 150. Perfect for the whole family, grab a seat at a picnic table, unwind and enjoy summer jazz, a parade of whimsical colour, guest artists and special festival events.
Dal Richards: A Celebration
This year, the annual Senior’s Day will be even more special, in honour of the legendary band leader who called the PNE home for 75 years. Stay tuned for programming announcements that will celebrate the life and the musical impact of Dal Richards.
Craft Beer Fest – NEW LOCATION
Daily 2:00pm-8:00pm, Italian Gardens
PNE Prize Home
Tours Daily 11:00am-10:00pm
2016 PNE DONUT DASH – 5K RUN
9:00am Sunday August 21, 2016, Empire Field and PNE Fairgrounds
Dinosaurs Alive! A Jurassic Experience – BIGGER AND BETTER!
Daily 11:00am-11:00pm, Miller Drive
Dueling Pianos
Nightly 7:00 & 9:45pm, Celebration Plaza Beer Garden
The SuperDogs, presented by Coca-Cola
Daily 12:30pm, 2:30pm, & 5:00pm, Pacific Coliseum
Mermaid Tales – A Musical Journey Under the Ocean
Daily at 1:30pm, 4:00pm & 6:30pm, BCAA ToonCity Stage
Let’s Pretend with KC Bear!
Daily at 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm & 5:30 pm, BCAA ToonCity Stage
Kidz Discovery Farm, in Partnership with Safeway
Daily, 11:00am-10:00pm, Livestock Barns
The 2016 Fair will run from August 20th until September 5th, and will be closed on August 22nd and 29th. Open 11:00am until late. Follow the Fair at the PNE on Facebook and Twitter. All prices stated are those provided at the time of publishing and could be subject to changes, fees.
There are a few things I miss when I’m on the road, outside of the country. Marine weather reports for the Strait of Georgia, hockey scores, and my morning walk to the local Tim Hortons with John on his way to work.
We’re getting ready to drive across America to visit his family and before setting out, I had to enjoy one last Tims in Vancouver, and I made it a special one. Tim Hortons is now offering espresso products, at a limited number of locations, that include lattes made to order with premium ingredients including freshly ground (Arabica whole) espresso beans and freshly steamed 100% Canadian Milk.
Tim Hortons New Espresso Products
For my last sip of Canadiana this month, I selected the cappuccino ($2.99), throwing off my familiar host who was ready to punch in my regular morning order at my local Tims in Downtown Vancouver. I usually order a medium coffee with 1 milk (no sugar) and feared that a new flavour combination with the cappuccino would still be too sweet or that the milk would twist my stomach since I usually can’t handle much in the morning.
I walked into Stanley Park, holding my brand new cup of brand new cappuccino to salute the city that I’ve been away from for so long this season, and I took my first sips.
The cappuccino was light, creamy, but not overpowering. It was even milder than the Dark Roast, since the espresso is roasted at different levels and with a different technique, but it still had a good kick. It had the richness I was looking for in my morning coffee, with the lightness of fresh milk as opposed to a heavy cream. It was a very enjoyable send off.
Enter to Win
Look online to find the nearest participating Tim Hortons and if you would like to try out a brand new Tim Horton’s espresso creation, I have 2 x $50 digital Tims Cards to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow Tim Hortons on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information and beverage inspiration. I will draw two winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.
Update The winners are Tammy H and @cassdev23!
Mount Pleasant’s community beacon, Heritage Hall, is celebrating its 100th anniversary in June with a lineup of events.
1917: Archives# CVA 99-356. Photographer: Stuart Thomson
This handsome building on the corner of Main and 15th has had many lives, and continues to be an elegant venue for special events, fashion shows, markets, and weddings. It was first constructed as a postal station, designed by Archibald Campbell Hope, and completed in 1916. In 1974, it was designated a heritage building by the City of Vancouver and was included in the first list of buildings identified by the City as having historical importance.
Heritage Hall 100th Birthday Events
Heritage Hall Preservation Society presents
BUILDING FASHION: 100 years of Architecture and Attire with Ivan Sayers
Sunday, June 12, 2016 from 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Tickets available online for $25
BUILDING CULTURE: Something Old, Something New
An evening of performance by Heritage Hall’s Cultural Community
Feauring musica intima, New Works, Stage Door Theatre, Vancouver Bach Choir
Emceed by Tara Cheyenne Friedenberg
Friday, June 17, 2016 at 8:00pm (doors 7:30pm)
Tickets available online for $25
BUILDING COMMUNITY: Kids in the Hall
Car Free Day
Sunday, June 19, 2016 from 12:00 to 5:00pm
Free admission
Follow the Heritage Hall Preservation Society on Facebook for more information.
It’s time to get the Sharpie and the calendar out and start planning your festival season. My friends at FestivalSeekers have done all the leg work and found the best early-season festivals for British Columbia and Alberta. And I mean the best food, best trails, the best music and the best foam. Foam? Yep, read on to discover more about them all, including one squeaky clean event.
Use Peddle Power on the Chain of Events
Through the rest of May until June 3, join in on the Chain of Events to explore the South Okanagan. FestivalSeekers pulled together the list of events that all include some form of cycling. You might be cycling through vineyards in search of the perfect vino, or finding the perfect single track on the trails overlooking Naramata. Maybe you’ll don a headlamp for the guided evening tours to the darkest skies to watch the star show. No matter what, Leigh McAdam has the Chain of Events that calls out to any gearhead.
All aboard for the Pie Cruise in Waterton National Park, Alberta
Waterton National Park welcomes all foodies and nature lovers to the second annual Waterton Food Festival from May 27-June 6, 2016. The culinary event celebrates the talents of local chefs and restaurants with special events including long-table dinners and special packaged lunches to take on hikes or trail rides. It’s shaping up to be spectacular with the Pie Cruise the icing on the cake! No passports required, but you’ll be noshing pie on waters that span the USA/Canadian border. Find out more details from FestivalSeekers editor, Lisa Monforton.
A Feastival to sink your teeth into
From chowder competitions to a trail of chocolate deserts, the Nanaimo Feastival is all about local ingredients and wonderful ways to enjoy them. Over 70 vendors will woo you with their craft beer, small-batch island wines and delicious food. I had a chance to talk to last year’s chowder fest winner – and would he tell me anything about his recipe? I went on assignment for FestivalSeekers to bring you the scoop, read on to find out.
PRISMA brings music to the shores of Powell River
Thinking of Powell River you might think – pulp and paper, but think again. Or better yet, listen. June 13-25 is the annual Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy or PRISMA. The “pre-professional participating musicians come from all over the world to learn and perform. I chatted with the organizers and had my own impromptu violin solo on the beach. Was anyone impressed by my talent? I’m not sure, but you could say it was a standing ovation. Read my story and find out more about PRISMA here.
Sam Steele Days in Cranbrook is your chance to man-up or dress-up
You may remember Sam Steele from social studies in grade school. He was an imposing figure with his walrus mustache and was known for his solid character as he rode across the untamed western frontier. July 16-19, Cranbrook salutes the man with the annual Sam Steele Days where you get to man-up, sign-up, belly-up, or dress-up and have a weekend of fun. Joanne Elves explores Cranbrook so you can check out the activities here.
Finally, the undead will unite and weave through the streets of Prince George on Saturday, July 23rd, for the Prince George Zombie Festival. For all of these listings and more, sign up for the Festival Seekers newsletter and follow along on on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube for more information.
A local attraction with activities for the kids, space to run around, picnic spots galore, and rare historical value — and did I mention it has a gorgeous view? South Surrey’s Historic Stewart Farm has it all but it’s still a relatively unknown gem — until now! The truth is a lot of people don’t know the family friendly historical site exists, and I’m about to change that.
Historic Stewart Farm
“We sometimes hear from people, even locals, that they have never been here,” explains Jerrilin Spence, Curator at the heritage site. “But once they come, they are always delighted and come back again. For our regulars, it is their method for getting back to basics, to take a break from the crazy of everyday modern life.”
Nestled off tree-lined Crescent Road, it’s easy to miss on your way to the popular local beach. But turn into Elgin Heritage Park and you’ll be overcome by the beauty of the 1894 farmhouse and the scenic grounds set along the Nicomekl River.
There is a moment of reflection and quiet before you hear kids laughing and running wildly, enjoying the fresh seaside air. Enter the house and you will meet costumed staff who will likely offer you cookies made on the woodburning stove.
Tour the house, walk the grounds, stroll through the heritage gardens and outbuildings, take photos, and unplug. Of course you can also upload your photos to Facebook and Instagram.
The Historic Stewart Farm hosts many events and it is just steps away from beautiful walking trails. Make sure to add it to your list of day trip destinations this summer. Not yet convinced? Here are the Top 10 Reasons to Check Out Historic Stewart Farm:
- It gives you plenty of breathing room with indoor and outdoor attractions. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sights.
- It’s local – just off the Highway 99 on Crescent Road
- They have activities for kids
- You will most likely learn something new
- You can set the kids loose on the grounds
- It’s perfect for picnics
- There are great nature trails
- The photo opportunities are endless
- It’s living history with costumed guides
- Free family events!
Learn more about Historic Stewart Farm or check them out on Facebook or Twitter.
