1. Visit with the critters at the Queen’s Park petting farm before they depart for their winter homes. The petting farm, which is the summer home to goats, pigs, rabbits and other animals, is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. until Sept. 4. Admission is by donation.
2. Enjoy the final Fridays on Front night market of the summer in the 600 block of Front Street on Friday, Aug. 25 from 5 to 8 p.m., where you’ll get a sneak peek of future Anvil Centre tenant Piva modern Italian restaurant, which will be serving pasta Bolognese and Caesar salad. You can enjoy some live music by Malagrupa + Eddie Lam and a kids’ chalk zone, shop from artisan vendors, buy dinner from food trucks, buy a glass of wine or a beer and stroll the new Front Street mews, and more.
3. Take your pooch to Doggy Fun Day, which features entertainment like dancing dogs and a dog drill team, games (Bobbing for Wieners, Super Duper Pooper Scooper, pet tricks, races, dog-owner lookalike contests and more), as well as booths and vendors. It’s on Sunday, Aug. 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Queen’s Park, on the field behind the stadium on First Street.
4. Attend a free community dance, barbecue and open house at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall, 318 Keary St. The free barbecue is from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by waltz lessons (for folks aged 13 and up) from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. and open dancing (swing, ballroom and country) to DjStarr from 8:30 to 11:45 p.m. It’s free for New West residents and $10 for regular dancers. Info: [email protected].
5. Put on your dancing shoes and head to Westminster Pier Park Lytton Square for an evening of outdoor dancing at Dancing on the Pier with Royal City Swing. Beginner lessons are being offered on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 3:15 to 4 p.m. and social dancing takes place from 4 to 9 p.m. This free event runs rain or shine and features two DJs.
6. Cheer on the New Westminster Salmonbellies, who are taking on the Victoria Shamrocks in the Western Lacrosse Association final in their quest to vie for the Mann Cup. Game 5 is on Sunday, Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. at Queen’s Park Arena.
7. Watch Lego Batman – the final flick of this year’s outdoor summer movies series. It’s showing on Friday, Aug. 25 in Queen’s Park Stadium. Bright a blanket or lawn chairs, buy some treats from the concession and and enjoy the movie, which gets underway at dusk (about 9 p.m.). Doors open at 7 p.m.
8. Shop at the New West Craft summer boardwalk market, which features items by crafters, artisans and makers. It’s on Saturday, Aug. 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at River Market, 810 Quayside Dr.
Email Top 5 ideas to [email protected].
