Friday, June 21
FRESH GRUB
Vendors will be selling fresh food and homemade wares at the Port Moody Farmers' Market from 3 to 7 p.m. outside of the Port Moody recreation complex (300 Ioco Rd.). Call 604-318-8966. Admission is free.
GET ON THE AIR
"Victor Echo Seven Papa Charlie Echo" - the call sign for PoCo's emergency communications team - will be heard on the airwaves at Port Coquitlam's Castle Park (2252 Castle Cres.) as radio operators from around the world take part in the worldwide amateur radio competition. EPCom volunteers will be operating the city's radio equipment at the park for 24 hours starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, with events running to noon Sunday. Visitors can make radio contact through Get On the Air from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.epcom.ca.
SHORT PLAYS
Shift Theatre Society and the Evergreen Cultural Centre present the sixth annual 1-act festival tonight and tomorrow night at ECC (1205 Pinetree Way). The five original plays - La Petite Paquita, Third Gender, Things That Go Bump in the Night, The Best and Boxed Hero - will be shown each night. Tickets are $15 through the box office at 604-927-6555 or evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
MAKE MUSIC
Check out the year-end SONG (Songwriters Of a New Generation) recital at Gallagher's Coffee Bar (232 Newport Dr., Port Moody) at 7:30 p.m. and hear the sounds of Port Moody and Heritage Woods secondary students. Singer/songwriter David Blair has been coaching and they will be joined at the show by Ryan Guldemond, guitarist/vocalist for Mother Mother. Visit www.musicbcfoundation for more information.
Saturday, June 22
AUSTIN PARTY
Daisy Days is the third annual festival by the Austin Heights Business Improvement Association, which is running its event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lebleu Street cul-de-sac at Austin Avenue, between Rona and Petro-Can. Things get going with a free pancake breakfast and continue with entertainment and activities - including a meet and greet with Vancouver Whitecaps' players - throughout the day.
FLOATS, ETC.
Don a fancy hat for the Port Moody centennial parade, which starts at 11 a.m. from Murray Street and winds to Rocky Point Park. In the afternoon, check out the All Nations Festival at the park. Shop at the artist market and tuck into a salmon BBQ. Visit www.portmoody.ca/parade.
BERRY NICE
Dive into a tasty treat at the annual Strawberry Tea at Trinity United Church (2211 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam) at 1:30 and 3 p.m. Participants will get to enjoy strawberry shortcake desserts - topped with the season's ripest berries - made by Trinity's United Church Women, which has hosted the tea since 1904. This year, organizers are celebrating PoCo's centennial by serving tea and coffee on bone china and wearing fancy period-style hats.
PIPERS, DRUMMERS
Hear world-class pipers and drummers and see Highland dancers and Caber tossers in action at the 81st annual BC Highland Games and Scottish Festival at the Percy Perry Stadium in Town Centre Park (off Pinetree Way), which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the official opening at noon. Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, and $5 for kids aged six to 12. Visit www.bchighlandgames.com.
GROOVY
Move to the salsa beat as the Hot Salsa Dance Zone presents its latin dance night at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. The party gets going at 8:30 p.m. after a dance class. Admission is $10 at the door. Visit www.hotsalsadancezone.com.
Sunday, June 23
BAPTISTE DAY
Celebrate St. Jean Baptiste Day in true Maillardville style at Heritage Square (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). Musicians will be performing traditional Quebecois melodies and songs - this year, with an Asian flair on the Chinese pipa and an Arabic lute. Drop by the Mackin House Museum for their antiques and collectibles sale, as well as pancakes served with maple syrup. The free family event runs from noon to 3 p.m.
OH, IT'S MAGIC
Watch Port Coquitlam Mayor Greg Moore saw a woman in half to open the first annual Magic Festival at 2 p.m. at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village (beside PoCo city hall). It will be followed by a free family magic show by the Vancouver Magic Circle. The 10-day event will see illusionists perform tricks at Leigh Square, Second Storey Theatre and the Terry Fox Theatre. Visit www.themagicfestival.com
TEXTILE ART
Vancouver artist Natalie Purschwitz will be at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way) art gallery from noon to 4 p.m. to transform objects into jewellery; anyone wanting to take part should bring something no bigger than a tennis ball. The opening reception for her Rituals exhibit follows, from 4 to 6 p.m.
