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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by VisitCoquitlam.ca Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
How do cold drinks, sweet treats and free festivals sound? Here are three reasons to head to Coquitlam’s City Centre this month. Best of all, it’s an easy ride on SkyTrain to all of these must-do summer highlights.
Play in Coquitlam
The much-anticipated Kaleidoscope Arts Festival returns to Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park on Saturday, August 10th. Don’t miss this free event, with live music, entertainers, food trucks, craft beer and spirits, and an artisan market, all nestled along the picturesque Lafarge Lake.
DJ Emilita will get the festival vibe going at 2:00pm, with live concert performances by Current Swell, Royal Canoe and Terra Lightfoot hitting the outdoor TD Community Plaza stage from 4:30pm.
The second stage features pop-up acts including acrobats,dancers, musicians and other artist performances. Did we mention the cold drinks? Locally crafted beer and spirits will be on offer and can be enjoyed throughout the festival grounds. The event runs from 2:00pm to 9:00pm. For more festival highlights, check out Visit Coquitlam’s event website and enter to win a VIP experience from Miss604 here »
Drink in Coquitlam
Sunny days call for cold drinks. Whether it’s sweet bubble tea or a lime daiquiri, here are some spots in City Centre, just steps from SkyTrain, where you can get social:
Yi Fang Taiwan Fruit Tea: This Taiwan-based teahouse chain has a newly opened location near Coquitlam Centre, at 1161 The High Street #3. Refreshing!
Xing Fu Tang: This Taiwanese teahouse chain says its mission is to “give customers a joyful cultural experience full of love and happiness.” Get those cheeks smiling at their new location at 1180 Pinetree Way, next to Lincoln SkyTrain station.
Cocktails: Looking for something stronger? Browse the cocktail and craft beer menu at Browns Socialhouse Town Centre, 2950 Glen Drive #120.
Craft beer: So many options to choose from! Check out Coquitlam’s Craft Beer 101 cheat sheet for a list of locations to try.
Treat yourself! From sweet buns to shaved ice desserts or decadent ice cream sandwiches, Coquitlam’s dessert spots are no longer a local secret. Here are a few favourites in City Centre.
Rocky Point Ice Cream truck: This much-loved ice cream shop is hosting a summer pop-up location at Town Centre Park in Lot D off Trevor Wingrove Way. Check their Google listings for hours of operation (weather-dependent) or Rocky Point Ice Cream.
Snowy Village: Dig in to eye-poppingly delicious desserts including bingsoo, which includes snowflake shaved ice topped with sweetened condensed milk, whip or ice cream, and your choice of fruit or sweet topping. It’s close to Town Centre Park, amid the City Centre shopping district.
Cup Full Dessert Café: Highlights include Korean shaved ice bingsoo, baked pastries and Soft Peaks ice cream. Head to the food court at Henderson Place Mall to scope out the menu.
The Coffee Bun: Dig your teeth into this delicious spot, also in Henderson Place Mall. Choose from 10 types of buns plus other desserts including shaved ice.
Miracle Belgian Waffle: The name really says it all. Yum. And it’s conveniently located on Glen Dive – a foodie’s heaven.
Pappa Roti: Try their signature coffee caramel bun warmly wrapped around frozen ice cream. You’ll find them centrally located on Pinetree Way.
Oh wait, is it a meal you’re after? You’ll find plenty of options in the area too, starting with the foodie strip of Glen Drive. Check out this list of 16 patios to try this summer or peruse this list of more than 300 restaurants throughout Coquitlam.
More Fun Coquitlam Events in August
Mark your calendars!
Summer Concert Series – Pop Night Friday, August 2, 2019 from 7:00pm to 9:000pm. Drop in for an evening of free concerts on the outdoor TD Community Plaza stage in Town Centre Park, featuring Emma Currie and Trilojay.
Coquitlam Farmers Market Sundays, 9:00am to 1:00pm The Coquitlam Farmers Market offers a spectacular selection of products that are made, baked, grown, or raised in B.C. It’s located outside Dogwood Pavilion (Poirier Street & Winslow Avenue).
Music on the Grill – Celtic Music Night Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 6:00pm to 10:00pm Enjoy a BBQ catered dinner on the patio of Evergreen Cultural Centre with pre-show musician Adrian Chalifour, followed by the evening’s marquee presentation by Kiérah in the Studio Theatre. Get tickets here »
Canadian Minor Box Lacrosse National Championships August 20 to 24, 2019 Enjoy the fast-action game of lacrosse at the Canadian Minor Lacrosse National Championships. This is the first time in history that all levels are held together! Games are free to view at Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex.
Still looking for more things to do? Follow Visit Coquitlam on social media @visitcoquitlam.
I love my forest walks but there’s also something so rejuvenating about being on the water, between evergreen-covered shores, spotting jellyfish below in the emerald waters off the North Shore. It just doesn’t feel like summer in Vancouver until John and I have suited up at Deep Cove Kayak Centre and gone for a paddle over to Jug Island or up Indian Arm.
If you’re new to kayaking or looking for an enhanced experience, here are a few offerings from Deep Cove Kayak Centre to enjoy this season:
Deep Cove Explorer Tour
When: April to November Registration: $89 adults, $50 kids (+GST) book online now About This Tour: The 3 hour Deep Cove Explorer is the most popular tour. During this relaxing guided paddle, which runs rain or shine, you will explore Deep Cove and the southern part of Indian Arm, learn about local history and relish the beauty of our surrounding mountains. Nestled in the fjord, you will find harbour seals, eagles, sea stars and other wildlife in a rich marine environment .Low intensity, no experience required.
Friday Night Lights
When: May 3 to September 28, 2019 Registration: $75 (+GST) book online now About This Tour: Kayaking at night is an unforgettable experience! It is totally different to paddling during the day time; the water is calm, there is very little boat traffic and noise, and it can be very tranquil. Paddle out into Indian Arm at dusk, in a well-illuminated kayak on a 2.5 hour guided tour. Experienced guides will tell you about the history of Indian Arm, details about the geography of the area, and information about local wildlife. If you’re lucky, you might get to experience the magical bio-luminescence that appears. Some experience preferred.
Full Moon Tour
When: Various, April to September. Next up is August 14 & 15, 2019 Registration: $75 (+GST) book online now About This Tour: Venture out on the night of the full moon to see it rise over the eastern mountains and flood Indian Arm with its silvery light. Your guide will discuss the effects of the moon on tides as well as teach you about safe paddling during the night. Some experience preferred.
When: Saturday, September 14, 2019 from 12:00pm to 5:00pm
Early registration is available until August 7th at midnight then the fee increases (fee includes race, boat transportation to Granite Falls or back from Granite Falls, food and drinks afterwards). Register today »
It’s a 32 km Paddlesport Challenge from Deep Cove to Granite Falls which is at the Southern part of the Indian Arm Provincial Park. You can challenge your friend, family, co-workers or yourself to complete the race solo.
OR You can do the challenge as a relay team. One will paddle to Granite Falls and the other paddler will paddle back to Deep Cove (with boat transportation available for the relayers). Start looking for your teammate and challenge someone in your office or street or local watering hole to take the Indian Arm Challenge with you!
Head into Coast Outdoors to get your photo taken, fill out the 1-minute questionnaire about the race and receive a $10 coupon to use in the shop. They will post your photo on the Events Facebook page under “Racer Profiles”.
Win Full Moon Paddle Passes
To get you out on the water this season, I have a pair of passes to the super cool Full Moon Paddle happening on August 14th or 15th. Here’s how you can enter to win:
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Click below to post an entry on Twitter
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a pair of passes for the next @DeepCoveKayak Full Moon Tour http://ow.ly/LRKO30pf3OT” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Follow Coast Outdoors on Facebook and Deep Cove Kayak on Twitter and Instagram for more info. One winner will be drawn at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Monday, August 5, 2019. The winner can select the August 14th or 15th tour date.
It’s time to launch my Kaleidoscope Arts Festival VIP giveaway with a headliner meet and greet, food truck vouchers, and more thanks to the City of Coquitlam. For the third year in a row, as the Official Social Media Sponsor, I have the honour of hosting an epic contest for this fantastic festival happening on August 10th at Town Centre Park.
Kaleidoscope Arts Festival in Coquitlam
Where: Town Centre Park next to Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain station When: Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 2:00pm to 9:00pm Tickets: FREE! All ages. RSVP on Facebook.
The lucky winner’s VIP seats at the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival
Kaleidoscope Arts Festival VIP Giveaway
When I say VIP I really do mean it! The winner and up to 3 friends will get their very own table with the best view of the main stage performances (that include Current Swell, Royal Canoe and Terra Lightfoot), $100 in food truck vouchers, parking pass, $50 in beverage vouchers, and a backstage meet ‘n greet with Current Swell with professional photo, autograph experience, and swag package.
Current Swell – Mike Pepperdine Photography
After winning the (102.7 FM) Peak Performance Project in 2011, fans all across the world took notice of the Vancouver Island-based band and their West Coast indie sound. Current Swell’s success has been based off their ability to talk in profound and uplifting ways, whether about unconditional love (“Young and Able”), the cycle of life and death (“When To Talk and When To Listen”), or fame and success (“Keys To The Kingdom”). Their talking has led them to sold-out tours in North America, Brazil, and Europe, with thousands of tickets sold across four continents and well over 50 million streams worldwide. They’ll be performing tracks from their fifth studio album When to Talk and When to Listen – produced by the Grammy-winning Jacquire King – as well as popular earlier recordings.
[clickToTweet tweet=”RT to enter to win a VIP #KaleidoscopeArts experience with @CurrentSwell meet ‘n greet @VisitCoquitlam http://ow.ly/aYZy30pdnvK” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Follow the Visit Coquitlam on Facebook and Twitter #ExploreCoquitlam for more information. Miss604 is proud to be the Social Media Partner of the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Friday, August 2, 2019.
The Vancouver Pride Society will host over 50 Pride events over the next few weeks, including the Vancouver Pride Parade on August 4th, which is usually the only event John and I can get to. However, if you’re determined like I am this year to enjoy even more Pride in Vancouver, many of the city’s attractions are hosting special events – some with very special guests:
4 Pride Events Around Vancouver Beyond the Parade
Vancouver Art Gallery FUSE – Photo by Pardeep Singh
Pride at the Vancouver Aquarium When: Thursday, August 1, 2019 from 7:00pm to 11:00pm Where: Vancouver Aquarium (845 Avison Way, Vancouver) Tickets: $38 online now, $30 for aquarium members Event Info: Get freaky and fabulous at the next After Hours! This is not your typical visit to the Vancouver Aquarium. Enjoy special musical performances by three local drag queens, and learn about the outrageous reproductive strategies of marine creatures during Animal Sex Talks about coral sex, sea otter love and a shark’s favourite position. Show your Pride in true fashion when you don your most eye-catching outfit (please keep your clothing ocean-friendly, and omit beads, glitter, and sequins).
Pride at the Vancouver Art Gallery When: Friday, August 2, 2019 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm Where: Vancouver Art Gallery (750 Hornby St, Vancouver) Tickets: Regular admission applies Event Info: A night of creativity, fun and connection in celebration of LGTBQ2+. As part of this event, the Gallery will host the popular Me Love BINGO! in its Rooftop Pavillion at one of two themed, licensed bars. Part variety hour, part game night and part immersive theatre, Me Love BINGO! is an event that fosters community created by Kyle Loven, a Vancouver-based performance and visual artist. At the Gallery’s second themed bar, guests will have an opportunity to indulge their creative side with communal mural painting as part of Paint & Drink! in the Annex Workshop. Stationed throughout the four floors of the Vancouver Art Gallery will be Queer Living Library. Inspired by Human Library, it follows a performance format emulated worldwide that invites people to borrow a human book with the readers becoming listeners.
Drag Race at Parq Vancouver When: Friday, August 2, 2019 doors at 7:00pm Where: Parq Vancouver’s Elevated Outdoor Park Tickets: Available online now for $80-$200 Event Info: Experience performances by Kim Chi, Asia, Kameron and Drag Race season 10 winner Aquaria as Parq transforms its massive, 30,000 square-foot roof top park into Pride’s most exclusive dance floor.
Pride at MOA – From a Riot to a Revolution
Pride at MOA: From a Riot to a Revolution When: Saturday, August 3, 2019 at 1:30pm, 4:00pm, 4:30pm screenings Where: Museum of Anthropology (UBC, 6393 NW Marine Dr, Vancouver) Tickets: Free with regular museum admission Event Info: At the Museum of Anthropology (“MOA”) they’re commemorating Pride and the 50th anniversary of Stonewall—the New York City riots that sparked the modern fight for LGBTQ+ rights—with documentary screenings, a participatory discussion about queer issues with Love Intersections (Jen Sungshine and Kimberly Wong), a voguing workshop with Ralph Escamillan, and an outrageous and raucous vogue ball produced by Nick Benz.
For all of this information and more, follow the Vancouver Pride Society on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Miss604 is proud to sponsor the Richmond Maritime Festival on Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28, 2019 at Britannia Shipyards and around historic Steveston. Don’t miss two full days of free family fun and entertainment, along with a new Paddlewheeler Dinner Cruise, and Sunset Battle of the Tall Ships experience. This event and more things to do in Vancouver this weekend is listed below:
