Around town BC . . .

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Around the Lower Mainland . . .

Nature Tots

Encourage a love of nature and the outdoors in your preschooler (ages 3-5). This camp is designed to build understanding and appreciation of the natural world using hands-on and sensory experiences. Activities include short nature walks, stories, games and eco-crafts. Parent Participation. Wednesday to Friday, Aug. 12 to 14, 10 a.m. to noon, Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 96th Avenue, Surrey.

Willingdon community fair

Come on out and enjoy carnival games, raffles, cake walk, barbecue, entertainment and more at the Willingdon Community Day Fair, Thursday, Aug. 13, 5:30 to 8 p.m., Willingdon Centre, 1491 Carleton Ave., Burnaby.

Nature Storytime

Let the forest inspire your child at a free, drop-in, plant and animal themed storytime held every Friday in August, 10 to 10:30 a.m., Surrey Nature Centre, 14255 96th Ave., Surrey. Held outdoors on the shady grass when the weather allows.

Live in Lynn Valley

Enjoy Friday evening concerts – Live in Lynn Valley, every Friday, 7 to 9 p.m. at Lynn Valley Village in North Vancouver. Concerts run until Aug. 14. Catch the music while eating a meal at Munch where families can also reserve a table on the patio for the event and if desired, use the nanny service. The last concert of the season is Friday, Aug. 14, with California Calling (Surfer Music).

Groovin’ at the Grove

Enjoy free music for the family in the park every Friday, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Maple Grove Park, 6875 Yew St., Kerrisdale. Bring your blankets and lawn chairs.

• Aug. 14, Paul Talbot and Friends;
• Aug. 21 and 28, TBA.

Islamic cultural expo

Drop by the lawn of the Vancouver Art Gallery (corner of Georgia and Howe) in Vancouver for the Canadian Islamic Cultural Expo, Friday, Aug. 14, and Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pavilions, exhibitions, and more will be at this free event.

Kitsilano summer of love

Celebrate the summer of love (Woodstock revisited) with live music, kids’ corner and huge sidewalk sales at the Kitsilano: Car-free & Sidewalk Sale, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., along West 4th in Vancouver. Visit online for event highlights and stage schedule.

Picnic in the park

While in the Kitsilano area, be sure to drop by for Kitsilano Community Centre's Picnic in the Park/Ice Breaker event, Saturday, Aug. 15, noon to 4 p.m. The family event features a bouncy castle, carnival games and rides, sledge hockey puck shoot-out, 2010 Mascots, curling 3 on 3 hockey tourney, face painting, tattoos, music, winter games sports demos, and a lot more. The Ice Breaker event is scheduled for the ice rink, 1 to 4 p.m.

Jugglin’ Act

Come and experience Mike Battie and his incredible juggling skills Saturday, Aug. 15, noon and 2 p.m. in the Science Theatre at Science World at TELUS World of Science in Vancouver.

Free outdoor movie in White Rock

Catch a free outdoor screening of the Disney/Pixar movie UP, Saturday, Aug. 15, Central Plaza Mall back parking lot at 1524 Foster St., White Rock. Seating starts at 6 p.m. and show begins at dusk.

A Day at the Races

Enjoy some wheel-style fun with A Day at the Races – Be at the Finish Line, Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Burnaby Village Museum, 6501 Deer Lake Ave., Burnaby. For all the details, visit online.

Forest Fun for Families

Bring the whole family to this free, drop-in event. Enjoy nature crafts, activities, and refreshments! Take a walk through the arboretum, smell the flowers in the native plant gardens and view trees large and small. Rain or shine, Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 9800 140th St., Surrey.

ArtsAlive!

If visual and performing arts are your pleasure, Downtown Langley is the place to be as the streets come alive with over 100 artists, a multicultural venue and a children’s activity area, Saturday, Aug. 15 along Fraser Highway between 204th and 206th streets. Event is family friendly and free.

Movie under the stars

Enjoy a screening of The Lion King under the stars at Holland Park, King George Highway and 100 Avenue, Surrey, Saturday, Aug. 15. Entertainment starts at 4:30 p.m. Movie begins at dusk. More details available online at www.downtownsurreybia.com.

Mindful eating for babies and toddlers

Joined registered dietitian and clinical counselor Victoria Pawlowski for a seminar on mindful eating for babies and toddlers, Saturday, Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. at Robson Capers Whole Foods, and at 2 p.m., Cambie Capers Whole Foods in Vancouver. Preregister by e-mailing victoria@springwellnutrition.com.

Honeyland Blueberries and Bees fest

Make like a bee and buzz over to the Honeyland Canada Bees and Blueberry Festival, Saturday, Aug. 15, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Honeyland Canada, 17617 Ford Rd., Pitt Meadows. More details, online at www.drbee.ca. Why not ride your bike to the event with the MEC Great Rides. You get to bike by farmland and the dikes beside the Fraser and Pitt rivers. Preregister online at www.greatrides.ca.

Cheese rolling festival

Head up to Whistler for the Canadian Annual Cheese Rolling Festival, Saturday, Aug. 15, starting at noon in Whistler. Fun activities for the whole family. Visit www.canadiancheeserolling.ca for all the cheesy details.

Korean Heritage Day Festival

Bring your family and friends for outdoor entertainment, games and food as the Korean Heritage festival is celebrated in the cultural capital of Canada, Saturday, Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Blue Mountain Park in Coquitlam.

Heart of Ladner night market

Come out and join in for a benefit for the Delta Hospice Society, with the Heart of Ladner Night Market, Saturday, Aug. 15, 4 to 9 p.m., Harbourside Plaza, 4877 Delta St., Ladner.

Charlotte Diamond at Lansdowne Centre

Bring the kids to see Charlotte Diamond, in an End of Summer concert, Saturday, Aug. 15, at Lansdowne Centre, No. 3 Road at Alderbridge Way, Richmond, 1 p.m. Concert is in the centre court and is free. There's also a back to school sidewalk sale happening this weekend.

Open house at the fire hall

Several fire halls in Vancouver are once again opening their doors to the public so we get a chance to check out the local firefighters, learn what they do and discuss any fire and life safety concerns we may have. Next batch of open houses are scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 16, 1 to 3 p.m. at the following halls: No. 8 (Downtown/Yaletown), 895 Hamilton St.; No. 13 (Riley Park), 4013 Prince Albert St.; No. 10 (UBC), 2992 Wesbrook Mall.

Latin Summer Fest

Head down to John Hendry Park/ Trout Lake Park in Vancouver on Sunday, Aug. 16, for the Latin Summer Fest. Celebrate the Latin culture through its colourful spirit, arts, culture and food. All day music, dancing, an artisans' market, kids' activities and more. Go to www.latinsummerfest.com for more details.

Motorcycle show and shine

It’s Gastown’s annual Motorcycle Show & Shine, Sunday, Aug. 16. Visit www.bccom-bc.com for more.

Kids Market in Coquitlam

The Coquitlam Farmers Market is hosting a special summer event on Sunday, Aug. 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s the Kids Craft Market, where kids are vendors for the day selling their homemade or grown goods. The market is held every Sunday at 624 Poirier St., Coquitlam.

Festa Italiana

NewPort Village in Port Moody hosts an Italian street party, Sunday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fun for everyone, including crafts, games and entertainment.

Tslei-Waututh Nation fest

Sunday, Aug. 16, 1 to 7 p.m., at Cates Park in North Vancouver, it’s the Tslei-Waututh Nation Cultural Festival. Event features performance groups, cultural village area with artists and traditional skills workers, and& a family stage. More details are available online.

Poco car show

It’s the Downtown Port Coquitlam Car Show, Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out a great range of unique, vintage and custom vehicles at this free event at Leigh Square in Port Coquitlam.

Music in the Garden

Sunday, Aug. 16, 10 a.m. to 3p.m., enjoy Music in the Garden Family Day at VanDusen Gardens in Vancouver. In addition to a music and environmental 'village' on the Great Lawn, enjoy face-painting, craft making, an interactive drumming circle and a musical instrument petting zoo where kids can get a close-up look at instruments and hear their sounds. Registration not required for this drop-in event. Included with regular Garden admission - no extra charge. Children under age six are free. For more information, visit www.musicfestvancouver.ca.

RCMP Musical Ride

The RCMP Musical Ride is scheduled to stop in Maple Ridge for two performances on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at 1:30 and 6:30 p.m., at the Albion Fairgrounds. The 32 riders and horses will perform a variety of intricate figures and calvary drills choreographed to music. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased Monday to Wednesday from the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Agricultural Association office on the fairgrounds. All proceeds from the event support the Kiwanis Club and the agricultural association, which hosts Country Fest.

Craft and create

Make art rocks at the popular Craft and Create kids’ program at the Langley Centennial Museum, 9135 King St., Fort Langley, Wednesday, Aug. 19 and Thursday, Aug. 20, 1:30 to 3 p.m. Suitable for six to 10 year olds. Cost is $8. To register, please call 604-888-3922.

Around Vancouver Island . . .

Victoria Dragon Boat Festival

Check out the dragon boat races, enjoy free entertainment, Asian Bazaar, martial arts, Chinese Tea Ceremonies and more at this year’s Victoria Dragon Boat Festival, Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 16, in the Inner Harbour in Victoria.

Sunfest Music Festival

Rock the Valley at this year’s Sunfest Music Festival, Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15, Avalon Farms, 2442 Herd Rd., Duncan. For all the details, visit online.

Around Okanagan . . .

Go Dog Go

P. D. Eastman’s classic children’s book Go Dog Go comes to life on stage in an exploration of movement, color, and space with a show on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Kelowna Actor’s Studio, 1379 Ellis St., Kelowna. Cost is $12 for children and students are $19.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 862-2867 or by going on line to www.bumbershoottheatre.com.

Upcoming events . . .

Only for adults

Science World After Dark Presents Fear Flicks (a Night of Fright), Friday, Aug. 21, 7 to 11 p.m. Movie begins at 8:30 p.m. For adults over age 19. Come and check out SCREAM! featuring Goose Bumps: the Science of Fear and see Science World transformed into a zombie horror zone. Turn yourself into a zombie, take our fear challenge course and watch some frightful demonstrations at the Peter Brown Family Centre Stage. Then drop by the Science Theatre for a screening of the zombie flick, Shaun of the Dead. It's a night of the undead you won't want to miss. Price: $19.75/person (limited tickets available). Buy tickets at tickets@scienceworld.ca or 604-443-7500.

Movie Under the Stars

Pack a picnic and bring along a blanket or your chair and enjoy the movie 'UP' under the stars at the Langley Events Centre, Aug. 21, in Langley. This is a FREE event, however, donations will be accepted for the Big Brothers Big Sisters the movie starts at dusk.

Boogie with Bobs & Lolo

Tsawwassen Arts Centre hosts Bobs & Lolo for a fun-filled performance on Aug. 22 at 2 p.m. Admission is $8 or three for $20 in advance, or $12 at the door. For more information or to book tickets please contact the Tsawwassen Arts Centre at 604-943-9787.

Night in the Wild

Camp over night at the Greater Vancouver Zoo and meet the animals at night on Aug. 22. Enjoy an evening walking safari, hot chocolate and marshmallows in front of the fire then be lulled to sleep by the sounds of the animals. After breakfast have a special visit with one of the zookeepers and their animal friend, and then on to the Safari Train and North American Wilds for an experience you'll never forget! Call 604-856-6825 or visit online.

Reconnect with Mama Renew

Give yourself a new beginning with a Mama Renew group this fall. Join other seasoned mothers seeking to reconnect, reclaim, and find balance between giving to our families and caring for ourselves. New groups start soon throughout the Lower Mainland and on Vancouver Island. Visit www.mamarenew.ca to learn more, or call Sarah at 604-254-1100.

Multicultural summer reading clubs

Enjoy games and stories in Spanish and English with Silvana Goldemberg, experienced teacher and children’s author, Saturday, Aug. 29, 11 a.m. to noon, Kitsilano Branch of the Vancouver Public Library.

Ongoing events online . . .

Click here to find out the scoop on ongoing events in the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

Swap meets . . .

Cloverdale swap meet

Pick up some gently used and new kids’ items at the Kids Swap Meet, Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 1p.m., Cloverdale Fairgrounds.

Sales scoop . . .

Pinky Blue sale

Richmond-based online retailer Pinky Blue Children's Boutique is having an awesome summer clearance with 30 to 50% off all summer stock.

While we do our best to inform you of great family happenings around town, event details are subject to change.

B.C. archives

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