If your long weekend plans don't go much further than avoiding border waits and ferry lineups, then it may be time to consider some great local events around Metro Vancouver this holiday weekend.
Fri., May 20 at 6 p.m. and Sun., May 22 at 12 p.m.
Whether you choose your couch, a local pub or one of several game-watching events, hockey fans can't miss Games 3 and 4 of the Vancouver Canucks vs. the San Jose Sharks series.
Fri., May 20 – Mon., May 23
Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition grounds
Tickets: $12 to Country Fair; $20-$30 for rodeo performances
Saddle up for the 65th annual Cloverdale Rodeo and see bronc-busters, barrel-racers and cowboy hats aplenty. Then dust off your cowboy boots and check out the 122nd Country Fair. Don't want to miss the playoff games? The Longhorn Saloon will be playing both matchups.
Thurs., May 20, Fri., May 21 and Sat., May 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Keefer Street and Main Street
Free Admission
Browse traditional Asian crafts and gifts, taste-test ethnic treats and enjoy live entertainment. The street market features booths selling creative gifts, modern electronics, CDs, DVDs and clothes. It runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 20 to Sept. 11.
Saturn 5 Saturday at the Space Centre
Sat., May 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
H.R. Macmillan Space Centre
Tickets: Event included in price of admission (General $10.75)
Bring a plastic two-litre pop bottle and get ready to blast off. Have your kids create and launch their own rocket.
34th Annual Western Canadian Croatian Folklore Festival
Sat., May 21 at 1 p.m.
River Rock Show Theatre
Tickets: $20 from Ticketmaster
Explore Croatian culture in Richmond this weekend. See groups from Edmonton to Vancouver perform traditional dance, play the Croatian national instrument tamburica and sing Croatian a cappella klapa.
Sun., May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Kitsilano Community Centre parking lot
Foodies can load up on locally grown and produced goodies at the season opening of the Kitsilano Farmers Market. Consider making a day of it and riding your bike; the market features a bicycle valet.
Sun., May 22 at 5:30 p.m.
Waldorf Hotel
Tickets: $20
Listen to a travelling caravan of alternative music courtesy of Weird Canada. The Vancouver stop on the cross-country tour boasts a lineup of 20 groups, including Dirty Beaches, B-Lines, Grown-Ups and Velvet Chrome.
Sun., May 22 at 7 p.m.
Vancouver Convention Centre
Tickets: $88.50 from Blue Print Events
Rock out at "B.C.'s biggest indoor party ever" and hear DJ David Guetta, among others, mix up dance beats. Organizers expect 6,000 people.
