With so many great events on the calendar the toughest part of this hot and sunny weekend will be deciding just what to do.
FRIDAY, AUG. 17
SPIRIT MARKET
Looking for a quick and delicious Friday night dinner? Stop in at the Spirit Square Farmers Market (3000 Burlington Dr., across from city hall) on your way home for some tasty nibbles or dinner fixings, not to mention live local music. The market runs from 3 to 7 p.m.
BAT WATCH
Take an evening stroll through Minnekhada Regional Park and learn all about bats - why they're important and all the myths surrounding these mysterious mammals. The walk runs from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and is suitable for ages six and up. Register at 604-432-6359; cost is $4.25 per child/youth/senior, $8/adult and $21.25/family.
SATURDAY, AUG. 18
GET GEAR
Get great deals on kids' gear for all manner of sports at the annual KidSport used equipment sale on at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier Ave.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is by donation or with an item for the food bank. Proceeds benefit KidSport Tri-Cities, which helps low-income families with the cost of organized sports. Visit www.kidsporttricities.ca for more information.
VILLAGE VIBE
Leigh Square's bandshell lights up with two Village Vibe performers this afternoon from 2 to 4 p.m., starting with Jet Black, an alternative indie pop musician who's currently recording her first EP. She's followed by Echo, a two-piece soft rock band influenced by the likes of John Mayer and Jack Johnson. All you need are some good friends and a comfy chair or blanket to sit on.
SUNDAY, AUG. 19
BLUEBERRY BREKKIE
Who doesn't like pancakes dotted with the best of summer's blueberries? Get your fill at the eighth annual blueberry pancake breakfast at the Coquitlam Farmers Market, where there will also be kids' activities, contests and more, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot (624 Poirier St.). Visit www.makebakegrow.com for more information.
BE A KIDNEY HERO
All you have to do is participate in the Tri-Cities Kidney Walk, a 2.5-km walk or 5-km run around Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam. Registration (free) starts at 9 a.m. and the run/walk at 10 a.m. Visit www.tricitieskidneywalk.ca for info.
CAR SHOW
It's a favourite tradition for car enthusiasts and families alike. It's the annual Downtown Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association Car Show, running from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be more than 550 cars will be on display, as well as live music from a Blues Brothers tribute band, an Elvis impersonator and kids' activities. Get there early for a pancake breakfast at the Elks Hall, starting at 7:30 a.m.
BBQ FOR JUSTICE
Amnesty International hosts its annual summer barbecue at Port Coquitlam's Lions Park (2300 Lions Way) in an effort to shed light on issues surrounding the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Representatives from Amnesty's BC & Yukon office will be serving up hot dogs, pasta salad, iced tea and watermelons, with a side order of human rights info. The barbecue runs from noon to 4 p.m., with live music from 2 to 4 p.m.
TREE WALK
Join the Burke Mountain Naturalists as they lead a heritage walk through the Riverview Hospital grounds, starting at 1 p.m. from the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young Building. Visit www.rhcs.org or call 604-290-9910 for more information.
MORE MUSIC
Looking for more live music? At Port Coquitlam's Lions Park (2300 Lions Way), catch Tambura Rasa (world fusion) and at Rocky Point Park in Port Moody (2800-block Murray Street) The Twisters perform jazz, rhythm and blues. Both concerts are free and run from 2 to 4 p.m.
