Dragon boats, jazz and Greek Day on Broadway: Events to check out in Metro Vancouver this weekend
Whether you're celebrating the summer solstice, National Indigenous Peoples Day, or nothing at all, there are plenty of festivities to enjoy in Metro Vancouver this weekend. Here are some you might want to check out:
Greek Day on Broadway
Now in its 51st year, Greek Day on Broadway will take over the Kitsilano thoroughfare between Macdonald and Blenheim streets from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Organizers say they're going 'bigger and bolder' with their annual celebration of Greek culture this year.
'Dive into a day filled with authentic Greek food, live music, traditional dance performances, and interactive activities that promise fun for the entire family,' the event's website reads.
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival
'The continent's biggest dragon boat race' takes place in False Creek this weekend, and spectators are welcome to view the action and soak up the atmosphere at Concord Pacific Place on Pacific Boulevard.
The races themselves take place Saturday and Sunday, but performances on the festival's main stage begin Friday evening at 5:50 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday will see more performances, cultural pavilions, a local craft vendor market, a food truck festival and more, according to organizers.
Dragon Boat Festival Vancouver
The 2019 Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is seen from the water in this photo from the event's website. (concorddragonboatfestival.ca)
National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations
A variety of events are planned around the Lower Mainland and across the country this weekend for National Indigenous People's Day.
Two Metro Vancouver cities that are hosting gatherings Saturday are Surrey and Burnaby.
The Surrey celebration takes place from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bill Reid Amphitheatre in Cloverdale, while the Burnaby event will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Civic Square on Willingdon Avenue.
Vancouver International Jazz Festival
The Vancouver International Jazz Festival begins its 40th edition Friday and continues through July 1.
More than 100 events are scheduled, including dozens of free performances, at venues across the Lower Mainland.
A full schedule of events can be found on the Coastal Jazz and Blues Society website.
B.C. Halal Food Fest
Surrey's Holland Park will play host this weekend to what organizers say is 'Western Canada's largest halal food festival.'
B.C. Halal Food Fest features more than 100 vendors and expects to serve more than 100,000 guests over the course of three days.
Featuring carnival rides, a market bazaar and live performances daily, the free event runs from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
B.C. Halal Food Festival
A previous year's B.C. Halal Food Festival is seen from above. (bchalalfoodfest.ca)
Scandinavian Midsummer Festival
Burnaby's Scandinavian Community Centre is hosting its Midsummer Festival this weekend, featuring a 'life-size viking village,' music and dance performances, food and craft vendors and more.
The festival is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $15 for Saturday and $10 for Sunday, and can be purchased at the door. The event is free for those under age 16.
ScotFestBC
Head to Coquitlam's Town Centre Park this Friday and Saturday for ScotFestBC, Metro Vancouver's 128-year-old Highland Games competition and Scottish cultural celebration.
The festival begins Friday evening at 5 p.m. with live performances and an opening ceremony that are free to attend.
On Saturday, the games begin, and tickets are required. More information about the event can be found on its website.
ScotFestBC
ScotFestBC participants carry a caber on a SkyTrain platform in this photo from the festival's website. (scotfestbc.com)
Great Grandview Garage Sale
Residents of East Vancouver's Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood are holding more than 200 simultaneous garage sales on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The ninth edition of the Great Grandview Garage Sale is intended to be an opportunity for residents of the neighbourhood to sell their used or unwanted possessions and buy their neighbours' things. A map of participating garage sales can be found on the event's website.
The Shoe Project
The Pacific Immigrant Resources Society and YWCA Vancouver have teamed up to produce the latest edition of 'The Shoe Project,' a performance series that features immigrant and refugee women sharing 'powerful personal stories' that each involve a pair of shoes.
'This year's Shoe Project cohort includes women from Ukraine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Colombia, Kurdistan-Northern Iraq, Bangladesh, Lebanon, India, Poland and Chile,' organizers say on their website.
Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre in Olympic Village, 162 W. 1st Ave., Vancouver.
With files from MOVE 103.5's Leanne McLaren
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