This weekend promises to be positively glorious. With the warm sun shining, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy a couple days off with family and friends.
FRIDAY, MAY 11
KNOW WHERE YOU GO
Get to know your city's history during a May Day heritage walking tour of downtown Port Coquitlam, led by Brian Ness of the PoCo Heritage and Cultural Society. The free tour leaves at 6 p.m. from the Terry Fox Library. Also starting today is the Shooting Star amusement rides at the PoCo recreation complex, from 3 p.m. today and Saturday and Sunday starting at noon. Wristbands for the whole weekend are $25. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca for details.
IRISH EYES
Irish or not, you're sure to be smiling when Port Na Gael takes the stage in the Unplugged at the Crossroads series. This four-piece group deftly swings from complex harmonies to festive reels in an evening celebrating the best of traditional Irish music (with some Canadian, Scottish and English hits thrown into the mix). Open mic starts at 7:30 p.m. and the main show at 9 p.m. at the Gathering Place at Leigh Square (2253 Leigh Square, PoCo).
SATURDAY, MAY 12
MAY DAY, MAY DAY
This weekend Port Coquitlam celebrates the 89th annual May Day festival. Kick things off with the May Day Mile run, starting at 10 a.m., a fun event for the whole family before the parade. Register (free) at www.experienceit.ca. The parade starts at 11 a.m., cruising up Shaughnessy Street with all sorts of music, marching bands, floats and more. Festivities continue with the Leigh Square block party (all day), featuring a children's carnival, the beloved Elks pancake breakfast (7 to 11 a.m.), the May Dazing Race (1 to 3 p.m. at Leigh Square) and much, much more. Get the full schedule at www.portcoquitlam.ca.
TREASURE HUNT
Royal LePage Coronation West Realty joins the National Garage Sale for Shelter from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mundy Road elementary (2200 Austin Ave., Coquitlam) to raise funds for Tri-City Transitions. Gently used items can be donated for the sale on May 11.
LEARN TO PADDLE
Enjoy a day of flat-water paddling in a canoe on Buntzen Lake today (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and tomorrow (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) with the Dogwood Canoe and Kayak Club. Lessons are free for members; sign up for $30/person or $40/family. Visit www.dogwoodcanoe.com for more information.
GET GARDENING
The sun shines and the garden beckons, and the Burquitlam Community Organic Gardens plant sale is ready to help you tease your yard out of its winter slumber. The plant sale is on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Ebert Avenue and Whiting Way in Coquitlam. Call Liz at 604-939-0292 for more information.
SHOP & SHIMMY
When's the last time you saw live bellydancing? If it's been a while, you may want to be at one of two locations when the Shimmy Mob, a bellydance flash mob, hits the Tri-Cities to raise money for Tri-City Transitions. More than 1,600 dancers are taking part around the world in the event, which was started by PoCo's Confidance studio. Catch the local dancers at Canadian Tire (2125 Hawkins St., PoCo) at 10:30 a.m. and Coquitlam Centre at noon. Visit www.shimmymob.com for details.
TEA TIME
Start the Mother's Day pampering early at the Mackin House Museum's annual high tea event, start at 2 p.m. Visit www.coquitlamheritage.ca for details.
WINE TIME
Attending Unwined - Sip, Savour & Mingle means you get to enjoy an evening of wine, cider, coolers and beer (okay, maybe not all at once) and raise money for the Douglas College Foundation and Coquitlam Foundation - and that means you get to soak up the weekend in style. Unwined runs from 7 to 10 p.m. at Coquitlam Centre Mall (stores will be closed and no minors are allowed); tickets are $40, available from mall guest services, at info@coquitlamfoundation.com or from 604-468-2077. Visit www.coquitlamcentre.com for more info.
SUNDAY, MAY 13
CELEBRATE MOM
She's always been there for you, right from the very beginning. Show your Mom how much you care by treating her to a special day, starting with breakfast in bed (of course). Then head outdoors for a beautiful walk in the sun at the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society's Mother's Day guided tree walk, starting at 1 p.m. from the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young Building (visit www.rhcs.org for a map). Looking for something ultra laid back? Check out the Tea on the Train at the Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St.) from noon to 3 p.m., or the Tea and Fabric Painting workshop at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village (2253 Leigh Square, PoCo) from 1 to 3 p.m. (visit www.experienceit.ca for details). Port Coquitlam offers a boatload of family activities at Mother's Day at Lions Park, starting with the Kinsmen breakfast at 11 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca for full details.
