Between the garage sales and swap meets, the ArtWalk and nature excursions, everyone in the family will be sure to discover just what they need - and maybe even a treasure or two - this weekend.
Friday, April 20
HIKING CLUB
Metro Vancouver's Baby & Me Hiking Club continues at Belcarra and Minnekhada regional parks. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. parents and their babies can join others for guided, moderate-level hikes, rain or shine. Cost is $20/person/series. Registration is required by calling 604-432-6359.
SHOOT TO SCORE
Fundraising for BC Children's Hospital continues at the Austin Station Thrifty Foods, where staff are raising money in honour of their colleague, whose 12-year-old son is battling bone cancer. Today's event features a "camp out" with general manager Liam Sobey, as well as a hockey shoot-out from 4 to 6 p.m. People can also donate at www.childrun.com/thriftyfoodscoquitlam.
TAKE AN ARTWALK
It's the 13th annual ArtWalk, hosted by ArtsConnect, and it's bigger than ever. There are more than 60 artists participating at 21 locations throughout Port Moody, featuring everything from painting to drawing, photography, pottery and sculpture. The weekend kicks off with an opening reception at the Old Mill Boathouse (2715 Esplanade Ave.) tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with artists in attendance. Download a map from www.artsconnect.ca and plan your route for Saturday and Sunday, when the ArtWalk runs from noon to 5 p.m.
Saturday, April 21
WALK WTIH ME
Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart continues his Healthy Community Challenge with a walk through Riverwalk. Everyone is welcome to join the mayor, starting from Shaughnessy Street and David Avenue at 8 a.m. for a 90-minute round-trip hike up to Crystal Falls. Stewart expects some portions to be "mucky," so wear appropriate footwear and bring a walking stick.
READY, SET, GO
To the nearest garage sale, that is. And with each of the Tri-Cities hosting their city-wide garage sales today, it's going to be a treasure hunters' dream. Garage sales are running from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Port Moody (visit www.portmoody.ca for a list of registered garage sales), from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Port Coquitlam (www.portcoquitlam.ca/garagesale) and in Coquitlam, the sales are divided into zones throughout the city; check www.coquitlam.ca for maps and info.
GOT BOTTLES?
If you do, bring them out to the Scout Hall in Blue Mountain Park (1040 Winslow Ave. at Porter Street, Coquitlam), where the 1st Coquitlam Scout Group is holding a bottle drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
KIDS ONLY
Okay, technically, this one's for parents. It's Port Moody's Kids Only Swap Meet at the recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.). There will be more than 100 tables piled with children's clothing, toys, sports gear and more. Visit www.portmoody.ca for more info.
MOM'S MARKET
The Backstage Youth Performers Society is helping you get a jump on just the right Mother's Day gift (the big day is May 13, by the way) with a Mother's Day Market, featuring home-based businesses and crafters, at 98A Brigantine Dr., Coquitlam from 4 to 7 p.m. The market continues Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
RELEASE THE FRY
In between garage sales, stop in at the Hyde Creek Education Centre & Hatchery (3636 Coast Meridian Rd., PoCo) during their open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone can help release salmon fry into Hyde Creek, tour the hatchery and even enjoy a hot dog barbecue. Visit www.hydecreek.org for info.
TEA ON THE TRAIN
It's a lot better than snakes on a plane, that's for sure. The Port Moody Station Museum (2734 Murray St., PoMo) is celebrating the ArtsConnect ArtWalk with tea and treats on the 1920s Venosta rail car, one of 21 stops on the ArtWalk, from 1 to 4 p.m. Visitors can check out artwork by painters Vicki Allesia, Jenna Knight and Anne Ridsdale Mott, as well as photographer Jenna Knight. Cost is $5/person.
CIRCUS CIRCUS
You can wish upon a star at Cirque du Carney, the 17th annual gala auction at Archbishop Carney Regional School (1335 Dominion Ave., PoCo) featuring live and silent auctions (with celebrity auctioneer Bill Vander Zalm), a gourmet buffet dinner and live entertainment. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.acrss.org for more information.
Sunday, April 22
HAPPY EARTH DAY
Celebrate Earth Day with a guided nature walk at DeBoville Slough to check out what birds have arrived for spring. Meet at the slough entrance (Victoria and Cedar drives) at 9:30 a.m. For more information call 778-230-1509 or email [email protected]. The Riverview Horticultural Centre Society is also celebrating Earth Day with a guided tree walk at 1 p.m. Visitors should meet at the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young Building. Visit www.rhcs.org.
SWAP & SHOP
Port Coquitlam hosts its kids only swap meet at the recreation complex (2150 Wilson Ave.) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is free, and don't miss out on the car trunk sale in the parking lot. There's even childminding in the Mabbett Room for just $2/hour.
MORE FOR MARKO
Today is the final day of the Austin Station Thrifty Foods' fundraising week for BC Children's Hospital's oncology ward (though funds will be collected throughout the month through the sale of hand cut-outs by donation). Staff are wrapping things up with a barbecue from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. so be sure to drop by and pitch in if you can.
TOP HONOURS
Catch a glimpse of top local talent in the Coquitlam District Music Festival's speech and vocal honours concert at 2 p.m., followed by the piano and strings at 6 p.m., at the St. Laurence Anglican Church (825 St. Laurence St., Coquitlam). Visit www.cdmffestival.ca for more information or call 604-468-2622.
Please send Things-To-Do guide submissions to [email protected].
