Canada Day 2013 Event Guide

         Let There be Light 

                                                                   Photo courtesy of Kenny Louie

 

You could stay in, fire up the grill, mix a few summer cocktails and raise a glass to John A., but there are also plenty of reasons to get out and celebrate Canada’s 146th with the all the beautiful folks who make our country what it is. Our top 6 things to see and do this long weekend

 

Food Cart Fest

After barely surviving the hungry hoardes during last weekend’s opening at their new Olympic Village digs, this ex-Waldorf food truck collective is adding eight more culinary carts to the roster. Pray for sun at the Sunday afternoon (June 30) hangout, if only so that you have the perfect setting for your first Johnny’s Pop (blueberry mojito – can you really go wrong?) Foodcartfest.com

 

Granville Island

Kids need little more than face paint and ice cream to make the perfect Canada Day. So while they’re having a blast at the Children’s Pavilion, get an extra scoop for yourself and settle in for a full day of free Jazz Festival performances. Not to miss: France’s ultra-talented Rémi Panossian Trio at the height of their Canadian summer tour (3:45 pm at Performance Works). Granvilleisland.com

 

Vancouver Canadians 

Nothin’ beats a footlong, a cold beer, and the crack of Jason Leblebijian’s bat to top off a sunny long weekend (July 1st). Even better if we can start this 3-game stint against Everett with a win. Stick around for some rockin’ post-game fireworks. Milb.com

 

Fly Over Canada 

Canada Place’s latest spectacle is worth checking out (even as you scoff at bumbling tourists on the way there), and what better time than opening weekend? (Launches June 29.) Sit with your feet dangling, as the Disney-calibre technology propels you into a 20-metre spherical projection that simulates a flight from coast to coast. Be ready for wind, mist, scents, and an original soundtrack performed by the Vancouver Film Orchestra. Flyovercanada.com

 

Run Canada Day 

Work off the weekend barbecue with a 10K, 5K, or kids’ 1K jog through the trails of Pacific Spirit Park (July 1st). After the race, enjoy a hard-earned piece of Canada Day cake at the UBC’s Wesbrook Village. Registrants receive a newly designed Run Canada T-Shirt and all proceeds go to the Canadian Diabetes Association. Runcanadaday.com

 

Canada Day at Canada Place

Reasons to brave the downtown crowd for Canada’s big day include Main Stage performances by local 7-piece bluegrass sensation The Washboard Union (3:00 pm) and Winnipeg rocker Bif Naked (6:00 pm). No-one’s left out for fireworks this year either, as two barges – one west and one east of Stanley Park – will launch simultaneous displays at sundown. Canadaday.canadaplace.ca