What to do this (long) weekend in Kits

OVERVIEW

Pyrotechnics, free live music, a Shakespeare’n’ fireworks Bard-B-Q in the park, the weekly farmers market and more are all happening in Kits.

Outside of Kits, The Vancouver Pride Society (VPS) brings together Vancouver members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community and their supporters for the annual Vancouver Pride Parade, a celebration of the vibrant spirit and culture of the LGBTTQ community. Plus there’s the annual Powell Street Japanese Festival.

Read on, friends. We’ll help you schedule the sunny long weekend.

MUST ATTEND EVENTS IN KITS

Celebration of Light, Saturday, July 30, 10:00 pm, free.
Elbow yourself a spot along the sardine-packed beach to catch the 21st annual Celebration of Light fireworks extravaganza, which is a showdown for Top Pyro between China, Spain and Canada. China is up first on Saturday. For the best vantage points, stake out a spot at one of our top five locations LISTED HERE.  And don’t forget to tune your boombox to SHORE 104.3 FM so you can really make the most of this 25-minute, music-simulcast show, starting at 10 pm sharp.

Celebration of Light Live Music, Saturday, July 30, 7:00 pm, The Rogue Stage  and YVR Community Stage, free.
If you prefer live music to the simulcast stuff on SHORE 104.3, drop by a SHOREfest stage location and check out the bands. There are three stages–two of which are in Kits. 104.3 SHOREfest at The Rogue Stage by the Maritime Museum, will feature Leeroy Stagger, Kevin Kane (of Grapes of Wrath), The Sojourners and more, starting at 7:00 pm. YVR Community Stage, located between Kits Pool and Kits Beach,  will cover the SHORE 104.3 Song Search 2011 Top 10 with 2010 Song Search winner Zaac Pick.

Bard on the Beach Bard-B-Q & Fireworks,  July 30, August3, August 6, 6:00 pm, Vanier Park, $105.

Stirring Shakespeare, a delicious dinner and fireworks create a one-of-a-kind, spectacular experience. Enjoy an informal salmon barbecue during an extended intermission, then after the performance, move to a private seating area to view the Celebration of Light fireworks. A no-host bar is open all evening. Always a sell-out, this event is a joint fundraiser for Bard on the Beach and the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.

Kitsilano Farmers Market, Sunday, July 17, 10am – 2pm, 10th and Larch,  free.
It’s all happening at the Kits Market. Park your bike with the trusty bike valet. Grab a tasty meal at a food cart, grocery shop for produce, browse handicrafts and chat with your neighbours. Tis the season for blueberries, cherries and more.

BONUS: HOT EVENTS OUTSIDE OF KITS

Vancouver Pride Parade ‘Celebrate’, Sunday July 31, 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Bute and Robson down to Denman and Sunset Beach, free.
Over a half million spectators come out to celebrate Vancouver’s Pride Parade. With parade entries including colourful floats, musical marching bands and community groups, Pride takes over the streets. Rainbows fill our city on the largest one day event in Vancouver. At the end of the Parade you are invited to CELEBRATE and walk with us down to Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach Pride Festival, July 31, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, free.
Celebrations continue during and after the Parade at the Sunset Beach Pride Festival. 125,000 people join Pride in the park, listen to live music by local performers and enjoy the headliners on the Festival Stage. There are 140 booths and a private, beachfront beer garden. The Festival Stage @ Sunset Beach begins with DJ Riot; afternoon hosts are Berend MacKenzie, Symone and Barb Snelgrove.

Powell Street Japanese Festival , July 30-31, see website for locations and costs.
Jonesing for some Japanese food this weekend or maybe a little sumo? Head to the 35th annual Powell Street Festival, taking place at various Vancouver venues, including Oppenheimer Park, Firehall Arts Centre and Chapel Arts, from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. This giant Japanese jamboree, considered Canada’s largest, features a jam-packed agenda full of free dance, music and martial arts performances.

 

Last modified: July 29, 2011