There is no shortage of fun and interesting offerings this weekend, which includes the biggest Hyack event of the year. Enjoy local culture, history and even a little shopping. Here are The Record's Top Five (or More) Things to Do This Weekend, from May 23 to 26.
1. Don't miss the family fun event of the season. The Hyack Festival Association is holding the Hyack International Parade on Saturday, May 24, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The parade runs along Sixth Street to Eighth Avenue and winds up in Queen's Park. The parade is held as a part of the Hyack Festival Week. For more information, visit hyack.bc.ca/wordpress.
2. Drop by the Uptown Street Fest, which takes place on Saturday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Belmont Street between Sixth and Seventh Street. It’s all p\art of this year’s Hyack Festival.
3. Get an inside view of local heritage. The Annual Heritage Homes Tour and Tea is on Sunday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year's tour includes 14 venues that feature an eclectic mix of residential and commercial properties - from one of the first houses built in Queen's Park in 1891 to a mid-century modern church built in 1959. Tickets are $40 for non-members; $35 for New Westminster Heritage Preservation Society members. Visit www.newwestheritage.org, for more information.
4. Enjoy local art offerings. As a part of this year's Heritage Home Tour, the Van Dop Gallery will be presenting works from the New West 7 in six of the tour venues. The New West 7 is a group of acclaimed artists working and living in the city. Van Dop coined the name with a nod to Canada's famous Group of Seven. For more information on the gallery, visit www.vandopgallery.com.
5. Get curious this weekend. The River Market is holding the Curios Flea on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 25, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features mid-century modern pieces, '50s kitsch, upcycled treasures and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.rivermarket.ca.
6. Have fun you will at the Star Wars theme day taking place at the Queensborough Community Centre on Sunday May 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features crafts, games, a movie marathon and a concession. Costumes are optional. The Queensborough Community Centre is located at 920 Ewen Ave.
7. Take in a movie on Monday. We know it's not technically the weekend, but it's worth staying up for. The Massey Theatre's Last Monday at the Movies on May 26 at 7:30 p.m. is showing Philomenia. The film, starring Judi Dench and Steve Coogan, is about a young unwed woman who was forced by Catholic authorities in 1950s Ireland to give up her child for adoption. Check out www.artscouncilnewwest.org for details.
Email your Top 5 ideas to [email protected] or send them to [email protected]. You can also check out our full arts and events calendar listings on our website's homepage at www.royalcityrecord.com.
Compiled by staff reporter Niki Hope and Theresa McManus
