After a busy summer of gatherings and festivals in New West, the fun will continue in September. Here are some of the great local events you’ll want to jot down on your September calendar.
Friday Sept. 2
Play the Parks features a musical performance, a variety of family-friendly activities and a food truck from 6 to 8 p.m. (concert at 7 p.m.) Today’s event is at Westminster Pier Park and features a performance by the Will Clements Jazz Trio. Activities include a chance to sing and dance with Elsa, face painting, balloon twisting, lawn games and a caricature artist. Vietnamese Banh Mi will be available for purchase at the Camion Café food truck.
Friday, Sept. 9
Play the Parks features a musical performance, a variety of family-friendly activities and a food truck from 6 to 8 p.m. (concert at 7 p.m.) Today’s event is at Upper Hume Park and features a performance by Parlour. Activities include Superhero training with Spiderman, and police car and fire truck tours. Mexican food will be available from the Dos Amigos food truck.
Saturday, Sept. 10
The Recovery Day street festival returns to uptown New West. Performers featured on four musical stages include Tom Cochrane, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Busty and the Bass, and Fred Penner. The free festival takes place near Sixth and Sixth from noon to 6 p.m. The festival includes about 200 vendors and exhibitors, including food trucks, artisans, and mental health and addiction service providers. The adventure zone includes rock climbing, virtual reality pods, swing dancing, and axe throwing, and the kid's zone has face painters, clowns, magicians and balloon art. An overdose memorial tree will honour those lost too soon.
Friday, Sept. 16
Play the Parks features a musical performance, a variety of family-friendly activities and a food truck from 6 to 8 p.m. (concert at 7 p.m.) Today’s event is at Westminster Pier Park and features a performance by Hyaenas. Activities include Jedi training with Rey Skywalker, face painting, balloon twisting, lawn games and a caricature artist. Mexican and Greek food fare will be available from the Meet2Eat food truck.
Friday, Sept. 23
Play the Parks features a musical performance, a variety of family-friendly activities and a food truck from 6 to 8 p.m. (concert at 7 p.m.) Today’s event is at Moody Park and features a performance by Incendiary Sweet. Activities include a professional yo-yo champion and photo booth. Jamaican food will be available at the Jerk Shack food truck.
Tuesday, Sept. 20 to Sunday, Sept. 25
RiverFest returns to the waterfront with several days of programs. You’ll find all the details at www.fraserriverdiscovery.org. Details are still being finalized, but here’s a sampling of some of the events being planned:
*Tuesday, Sept. 20: Birds of the Fraser, 7 p.m. In this Zoom presentation, ornithologist, author, filmmaker and artist Rob Butler will discuss why these amazing animals are so important for the health of the Fraser watershed.
* Saturday, Sept. 24: RiverFest 2022 features musical performances, exhibitors and artisans, interactive activities along the waterfront boardwalk from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. At 2:15 p.m., workboats of all sorts will entertain crowds with the return of the Lucille Johnstone workboat parade in the Fraser River in front of River Market.
* Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25: Family Fun Zone at Fraser River Discovery Centre, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This family-friendly event includes games, demonstrations, crafts and a scavenger hunt.
* Saturday, Sept. 24: A Small Boat Rendezvous at Sapperton Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Vancouver Wooden Boat Society is having an open house and wooden boat display. The event includes a kid’s boat building area and various hands-on demonstrations.
* Saturday, Sept. 24 and Sunday, Sept. 25: Guided Quayside tours along the New West boardwalk, led by river educators, will help you learn about the biodiversity, commerce and culture related to B.C.’s longest river. Suitable for all ages. Registration coming soon at www.fraserriverdiscovery.org.
* Sunday, Sept. 25: Nature weaving is one of the activities planned for River Basin Explorer Day, taking place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at a yet-to-be-determined location.
* Sunday, Sept. 25: The Rivershed Society of BC will be ending its canoe journey down the length of the Fraser River, and you’re invited to head to the Paddlewheeler riverboat dock to see their canoes off and then stroll back to Fraser River Discovery Centre to take part in some family-friendly activities to learn more about the rivershed. Details to come.
Saturday, Sept. 24
Uptown Swing Collective’s Jazz Cats Social. Community members aged 17 and older are invited to head to Century House for a night of live, hot jazz, where you can hit the dance floor or just sit back and enjoy the music. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., a lesson takes place at 6:45 p.m. and live music and social dancing run from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. at 620 Eighth St. It’s $15 per person or $10 for Century House Association members. The fee includes light refreshments and beginner swing dance lesson (partner not required). Details at Century House – 604-519-1066.
Are you planning a special event you’d like the community to know about? Send details to tmcmanus@newwestrecord.com.
