The city of Port Coquitlam's 100th birthday will be the focus of this year's May Day celebration, which will run between May 3 and 12.
The 90th May Day festivities will run alongside the annual Youth Week, with events celebrating young people's contribution to the community.
"The May Day festival has deep roots in Port Coquitlam," said Mayor Greg Moore. "It's almost as old as our city."
This year's May Day opening ceremony takes place tonight (Friday) at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Coquitlam recreation complex and will follow up with a May Day art show Saturday between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Leigh Square.
A community dance, called Dancing Through the Decades, will celebrate the city's centennial starting at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Wilson Centre.
Tickets are $25 for the event and are available at The Outlet (www.pocoheritage.org).
Fortis BC will host a bingo event at the Wilson Centre between 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
YOUTH WEEK
Several Youth Week events will also be taking place over the weekend:
Minnekhada middle school will be holding an indoor carnival tonight (Friday) between 3 and 6 p.m. featuring games, obstacles, activities and giveaways. The event is free for all ages.
On Saturday, the Hyde Creek rec centre will host a community garden workshop between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., giving young people (Grades 7 to 12 are welcome) the opportunity to learn how to plant edibles. Volunteers get a free barbecue lunch and credit hours for graduation. Participants should bring their own gloves and can call 604-927-7962 for more details.
The Railside Skateboard Park will the site of the annual Skateboard Jam and Youth Art event on Sunday, featuring performances from well-known local skaters. The event is open to boarders of all skill levels, who are encouraged to come down and listen to live music while skating with their friends. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the skateboard session will start noon, weather permitting. All ages are welcome.
A floor hockey tournament will be held at Kwayhquitlum middle school on May 6 between 5:30 and 8:30 p.m., featuring youth teams as well as RCMP and firefighter squads. Students in Grade 6 to 12 are invited to participate and must call 604-927-7962 to enter a team of five.
Youth Week will wrap up with a free movie -The Rise of the Guardians - on May 7 at 3 p.m. at Maple Creek middle school. Kids and families are welcome and free popcorn is included.
Youth Week runs throughout B.C. between May 1 and 7 and recognizes the contributions young people make in their community. Port Coquitlam has celebrated the event since 2007.
For more information about Youth Week events in PoCo, go to www.pocoyouth.com or call 604-927-7938 or 604-927-7962.
