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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Views are my own. This is not a paid post. My media stay was sponsored by TrueKey Resorts. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
There’s a song by the band Augustana that goes, “I think I need a sunrise, I’m tired of the sunset.” They were singing about Boston, compared to California, but that sure resonates with me (especially since I lived in Boston for a year in my formative years, but I digress).
The east coast of Vancouver Island offers some incredible sunrises, without nearby buildings and mountains getting in the way, the morning light crests behind over mainland, across the Salish Sea, and paints the morning all the fiery colours of arbutus bark. The best place to watch this natural spectacle is in Parksville and I recently got to savour it at the aptly named Sunrise Ridge Resort.
Sunrise Ridge Resort in Parksville
Sunrise Ridge has all the resort comforts you need, from free Wi-Fi and fitness centre, to pool, outdoor fireplace (for some family s’mores nights), complimentary bikes for exploring, and a path to the beach where – when the tide is out – you can walk all the way over to Rathtrevor Provincial Park on the sand.
The rooms are essentially shiny new apartments (studio, 1, 2 and 3 bedroom vacation homes), like the ones I covet daily when I look at listings in Vancouver. My home away from home had two rooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen island that could comfortably seat a large family – or me and my laptop, research, and mug of coffee.
Markets, festivals, free dance events and movies – it’s summertime in Vancouver! Whether you’re up for craft beer and trivia, learning to salsa dance, listening to the symphony (with a playful twist), or catching a baseball or soccer game. Here are a bunch of events happening around Vancouver this weekend:
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by Metropolis at Metrotown Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
You’re invited to Snack ‘N Snap your way around Metropolis at Metrotown this month, enjoying larger than-life food art displays, savoury snack retailers, pop-up treat carts and more!
Snack ‘N Snap at Metropolis at Metrotown
Where: Metropolis at Metrotown’s Grand Court When: July 11 to July 28, 1029
The giant pink donut, 10-foot lollipop tree and cupcake house is back! New this year, Metropolis has added an 8-foot pretzel and melting popsicle displays that will make you want to snack for real.
During the exhibit, shoppers can snap endless selfies in front of the jumbo displays, share their photos on Instagram by tagging @metropolisatmet and #METSNACKNSNAP to enter for a chance to win a prize pack or a $500 Metropolis at Metrotown gift card.
You can also guess the jellybeans (hundreds, or thousands) on display in the case at the Grand Court for a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree. There are also random contests for prize giveaways on Metropolis’ Facebook and Instagram.
Workshop Wednesdays & More
Wednesdays (July 17 & 24) stop by for a DIY Sugar Cookie Decorating Workshop with @sugarsugarstudios. On Thursdays & Fridays (July 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26) you can Snack & Sample! Taste treats from retailers in the Grand Court from 2:00pm to 3:00pm. Samples are first come first serve, while quantities last.
Win a Gift Card
To celebrate, and to get you Snack ‘N Snap’n at Metropolis at Metrotown, they have offered up a $500 gift card to a lucky Miss604 reader! Here are all the ways you can enter to win:
[clickToTweet tweet=”Check out #METSNACKNSNAP on now until July 28th and RT to enter to win a $500 @MetropolisAtMet gift card http://ow.ly/Np6c30p6JlU” quote=” Click to enter via Twitter” theme=”style6″]
Follow Metropolis at Metrotown on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about their shops, services, and special events – and surprise giveaways.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, July 18, 2019.
It’s called it the crown jewel of Vancouver for a reason, and there’s always something new to discover, explore, and enjoy in Stanley Park. From its 20km+ trail network, to its rose garden, and so much more between its Seawall borders. A great way to be a tourist in your hometown, or even to just enjoy this slice of 1,001 acre urban wilderness, is with a guide. Here are some great summer walking tours in Stanley Park that are running throughout the season:
Summer Walking Tours in Stanley Park
Talaysay Tours offers authentic cultural and eco experiences in Stanley Park and on the Sunshine Coast. Their three tours in the city include: Talking Trees Tour (my favourite), Spoken Treasures Tour, and a Forest Therapy Walk with Haida Bolton, BC’s First Certified Forest Therapy Guide.
With Talking Trees, a Talaysay guide/cultural ambassador will share the many stories of this region, as well as the intimate cultural and scientific knowledge of the Northwest coast trees and plants. On the Spoken Treasures Tour, Indigenous Cultural Ambassadors, you’ll walk along the Seawall and hear the stories, history and lore of Vancouver – through Indigenous Eyes. This tour also shares our indigenous peoples’ relationship to the ocean, it’s ecology and stories.
Stanley Park Ecology Society Tours are offered throughout the year, starting from the Stanley Park Nature House on Lost Lagoon. On the calendar this summer there’s the Indigenous Plant Use Tours on July 12th & 30th, and the Old Growth Ecology Tour on July 27th. On the Old Growth Tour you’ll join the Ancient Forest Alliance for a fun and informative old-growth forest ecology tour along Stanley Park’s Tatlow Trail. Learn about common tree and plant species, what makes old-growth forests unique compared to second-growth forests, and why BC’s ancient forests need protecting.
The Forbidden Vancouver Secrets of Stanley Park Walking Tour runs every Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm, featuring secret cemeteries and ancient ghost trees. Forbidden Vancouver brings their flare for history to the park as they shine a light on some dark secrets, from persecution, political intrigue, logging, hunting, disease, military installations, remarkable public art, ecological catastrophes, secret construction mega-projects, poetry, scandal, and murder.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Sponsored by the Vancouver Folk Music Festival Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
The 42nd Vancouver Folk Music Festival takes place July 19-21, hosting a diverse and musically rich roster of artist at Jericho Beach Park. The lineup promises an extraordinary celebration of music and culture, in what is one of the most beautiful locations for an outdoor music festival anywhere!
Vancouver Folk Music Festival
When: July 19-21, 2019 Where: Jericho Beach Park, Vancouver Tickets:Available online now or by phone (604) 602-9798. Kids 12 and under are free and can enjoy the the whole festival too, and a Little Folks Village.
Musical acts will play great music on five daytime and two evening stages, in a family friendly gathering of over 40,000 enthusiastic attendees at Jericho Beach Park.
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival has always taken pride in being inclusive, diverse, expansive in their definition of “folk” music, and this year’s line-up reflects that. They’ve programmed a festival that’s truly global in spirit, broad and eclectic in range, with something for everyone.
7 Things You Can’t Miss at the Festival
1. Corb Lund – Everyone’s favourite real Albertan cowboy, is headlining the festival Main Stage on Friday, July 19th. Corb Lund’s distinct blend of Americana-meets-roots-meets-alt-country has attracted accolades from critics in Canada and the US, who have called him “one of the best contemporary country songwriters”. Joining Corb on the Main Stage on Friday are roots rockers Larkin Poe, francophone folk group Le Vent Du Nord, and Northern Ontario Cree band Midnight Shine. A great way to kick off the festival!
2. Pete’s Eats – Fabulous Food For Famished Folkies! You certainly won’t go hungry at this year’s Vancouver Folk Music Festival. The festival offers a variety of tasty treats, from meals to snacks at various locations throughout the park. There’s something for every taste, including vegetarian, gluten-free, lactose or dairy-free, Kosher or Halal, and sugar-free/low calorie options. And there’s even an adult beverage garden serving a fine selection of BC wines and craft beers! See full listing of food trucks and concessions here »
3. Festival Workshops – If you’re an avid folk festival goer, then you know that a lot of the magic happens at the festival workshops. It’s your chance to see many of the festival artists perform and interact in an intimate space. And there’s even the opportunity to learn a thing or two as well – the 2019 workshop schedule includes a Learn To Play Ukulele workshop on Saturday, July 20th! See the full Saturday and Sunday workshop and concert schedule here »
4. Zaki Ibrahim – The pick for breakout artist at this years festival, South African-Canadian artist Zaki Ibrahim is a globally distinguished singer, songwriter, and producer known for making music that defies any one genre. Ibrahim has emerged as one of Canada’s hip hop and soul icons, collecting two Polaris Music Prize nominations (shortlisted in 2013 and longlisted in 2018) and a Juno nomination for R&B/Soul Recording of the Year in 2009. Ibrahim will be performing at the Festival on Saturday, July 20th, check the schedule for times and locations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to say you saw Zaki perform before she was big.
5. Little Folks Village – Vancouver Folk Music Festival has always been a family friendly event, and that continues this year with free admission for little folks under 12 when accompanied by a paid adult. The Little Folks Village is open all 3 days of the festival and includes plenty of entertainment and activities including: a Face Painting Station, a Musical Zoo Playground, Madskillz Roving Performers, and so much more! Get a full listing of all activities and hours of operation here »
6. Sam Roberts – Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday, July 20th, The Sam Roberts Band brings the Canadiana to this year’s VFMF. Known for their legendary live show, the fiery spirit of Sam Roberts Band has carried them to stages everywhere from Letterman and Conan to Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, and Bumbershoot, and alongside heroes like the Rolling Stones and AC/DC.
7. Artisan Market and Folk Bazaar – If you really want to get your folk on at this year’s festival, make sure you attend the Artisan Market and Folk Bazaar. It’s your chance to peruse the work of some of the finest artisans and artists around, and is a fabulous place to shop for the beautiful, the useful, and the one-of-a-kind. It’s also a great place find a new boho chic festival outfit, or even just a new scarf or hat! Get location info here »
