Free festivals and sweet sounds: Things to do in Metro Vancouver this weekend
A previous year's edition of Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's Symphony in the Park is seen in this photo from the orchestra's website. (vancouversymphony.ca)
With another beautiful summer weekend in the forecast, here are some special events to check out around Metro Vancouver over the next few days.
Chinatown festival
The Chinatown Business Improvement Association is inviting the public to Keefer and Columbia streets on Saturday and Sunday for its 22nd Vancouver Chinatown Festival.
Featuring live performances, interactive workshops, neighbourhood tours and more, the free, family friendly event runs from noon to 6 p.m. each day.
'Watermelon smash'
The upper bowl at BC Place will be open on Saturday when the BC Lions take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at 4 p.m.
Kickoff will be preceded by the team's second annual "Backyard Bash" party in Terry Fox Plaza starting at 11:30 a.m.
The event will pit Lions and Riders fans against each other, alongside their respective team presidents, as they compete for a trophy and another year of bragging rights. There will also be live music, face painting, games, a watermelon-eating contest and more.
Boundary Bay airshow
Head to Delta on Saturday for the 2024 Boundary Bay Airshow at Boundary Bay Airport, located at 7800 Alpha Way.
This year's event will recognize the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Air Force and feature "great performances and fan interactions by amazing pilots," according to organizers.
Admission is free. Gates open at 11 a.m. and the show begins at noon.
Fiji Festival
The first of two free gatherings in Burnaby parks on Saturday will begin at 10 a.m. at Swangard Stadium.
Organizers of Fiji Festival invite people from all backgrounds to "enjoy the day the Fijian way" with food, vendors, live performances and a soccer tournament.
The event runs until 7 p.m. and admission is free.
Symphony in the Park
At 7:30 p.m. in Deer Lake Park, the second free event begins.
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra will perform its annual "Symphony in the Park" concert, featuring a roughly 120-minute program of crowd-pleasing classical works and film scores.
"Come early for free family activities and food trucks, bring a blanket or chair and a picnic and settle in for a wonderful evening with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra," the VSO says on its website.
Sweet sounds of summer
Vancouver's VanDusen Botanical Garden will host the first two concerts of its "Sweet Sounds of Summer" series on Sunday.
Modern Biology will take the stage from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., while children's musicians Clementine and Friends will perform from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. In between, guests are invited to "wander the 55-acre garden and grab food from various vendors to enjoy a picnic on the Great Lawn," according to organizers.
Ticket information and additional details about the performers can be found on the City of Vancouver's website. Another day of concerts in the series will be held on Aug. 18.
With files from MOVE 103.5's Leanne McLaren
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Convicted B.C. double murderer given full parole
A man convicted in the notorious double murder of two women in Tsawwassen in 1990 when he was a teenager has been granted full parole.
B.C. preparing for 'worst-case scenario' if landslide-caused dam in Chilcotin River gives way
The risk to communities along the Fraser and Chilcotin rivers if a dam created by a massive landslide is breached is uncertain but has the potential to be 'significant,' according to officials.
Costco's 'Apocalypse Dinner Kit' has a shelf life of 25 years. What is it?
Canadians looking to stock up on food for an emergency can order ready-made tubs from Costco online.
1 dead, several injured in Alberta tent collapse
One person was killed and others were hurt when an event tent collapsed on hundreds of people north Edmonton on Wednesday.
B.C. man spots bobcat while on his way to Starbucks
A few days after moving into his North Vancouver neighborhood Paul Wiens was enjoying one of the perks – cutting through the scenic BCMC trail on his way to grab a coffee at Starbucks – when he had an unexpected but "magical" encounter.
Liberal MP says she regrets 'distress' caused to witnesses who left meeting in tears
Liberal MP Anita Vandenbeld fell short of an apology after instigating a fracas on Wednesday that led two witnesses testifying about violence against women to storm out of a parliamentary committee hearing.
Canadian-born captive and American journalist freed in prisoner swap with Russia
Canadian-born Paul Whelan and an honorary Canadian citizen were set free Thursday as the United States and Russia completed their largest prisoner swap in post-Soviet history.
Summer McIntosh wins gold in 200-metre butterfly, sets Olympic record
Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh won her second Olympic gold medal in Paris with a victory in the women's 200-metre butterfly.
Italian Air Force performs flyover in Toronto
The red, white and green of Italy’s Air Force graced the skies above Toronto for the first time in nearly 40 years during a flyover Thursday.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. preparing for 'worst-case scenario' if landslide-caused dam in Chilcotin River gives way
The risk to communities along the Fraser and Chilcotin rivers if a dam created by a massive landslide is breached is uncertain but has the potential to be 'significant,' according to officials.
-
B.C. anti-gang probe nets drug charges against 8 suspects in Metro Vancouver
British Columbia's anti-organized crime task force says five men and three women in Metro Vancouver are facing a raft of drug-trafficking charges after a months-long investigation focusing on the production of fentanyl and MDMA.
-
Convicted B.C. double murderer given full parole
A man convicted in the notorious double murder of two women in Tsawwassen in 1990 when he was a teenager has been granted full parole.
Kelowna
-
B.C. city councillor charged with historical sex offences in Ontario, placed on leave
A Penticton, B.C., city councillor has been placed on a mandatory leave of absence while he faces charges related to sex offences that allegedly occurred more than three decades ago.
-
B.C. tree fruit grower co-operative shuts down after 88 years, citing low volume
A British Columbia co-operative that has been selling and promoting the province's fruit for the last 88 years is shutting down.
-
Mounties say missing B.C. children, wanted father all found safe
Police in the British Columbia Interior say a missing father and his four young children have been found safe after the man failed to surrender the children to their mother, in violation of a court order.
Edmonton
-
Highway 16 through Jasper open to commercial traffic, seniors to return Friday
Highway 16, the major east-west route in northern Alberta and B.C. through Jasper National Park, partially reopened Thursday morning, even as wildfire activity was expected to increase.
-
1 dead, several injured in Alberta tent collapse
One person was killed and others were hurt when an event tent collapsed on hundreds of people north Edmonton on Wednesday.
-
Man charged in St. Albert teen murder previously had statutory release revoked twice by parole board
The man charged with the first-degree murder of a teenaged girl in St. Albert last month was put back on parole after violating statutory release conditions two years ago following his conviction in 2017 for a 2016 aggravated assault in which he stabbed a sleeping husband and pregnant wife.
Calgary
-
Misleading late-term abortion claim circulated; Alberta government won't comment
In its latest handout, the group Prolife Alberta writes "late-term abortions are happening in Alberta, often resulting in fully born babies being left to die."
-
'Bears and the bare naked': RCMP search for elusive nude man spotted at Kananaskis, Alta., campground
A naked man who has been spotted by campers in Kananaskis Country, Alta., several times over the last month has so far been able to evade efforts to find him.
-
Speed a possible factor in S.E. Calgary crash that left motorcyclist dead: police
Speed is being investigated as a possible factor in a Wednesday crash that left one man dead in southeast Calgary.
Lethbridge
-
Businesses in Lethbridge seeing boost in business as heat warning remains in effect
With a heat warning re-issued for Lethbridge and parts of southern Alberta, businesses that depend on the sunshine are taking full-advantage of it.
-
Dawgs topple Bulls 9-7 in opener of season’s final home stand
Jarrett Burney extended his hitting streak to nine games Tuesday, leading the Okotoks Dawgs to a 9-7 victory over Lethbridge Tuesday night at Seaman Stadium.
-
Missing Lethbridge 74-year-old located safe
Lethbridge police have located a missing woman.
Winnipeg
-
Ex-priest accused of sexually assaulting young girl in 1970s: Manitoba RCMP
Manitoba RCMP has arrested an 81-year-old retired priest living in Regina in connection to a historical sexual assault of a young girl dating back to the 1970s.
-
Manitoba's police watchdog investigating death following attempted traffic stop
Manitoba's police watchdog is investigating the death of a 26-year-old woman following an attempted traffic stop Wednesday afternoon near the Perimeter Highway.
-
Second alleged victim of former Winnipeg hockey coach files lawsuit against estate
A second alleged victim of a former Winnipeg hockey coach and lawyer is suing his estate for physical and sexual assaults.
Regina
-
Regina Beach 'not suitable for swimming' due to E. coli outbreak
Swimmers are being advised to stay out of the water at Regina Beach due to high levels of E. coli.
-
Manitoba RCMP arrest ex-priest in Regina for historic sexual assault of 11-year-old girl
Officers from the RCMP detachment in Russell, Manitoba arrested an 81-year-old former priest in Regina for a charge of sexual assault dating back to 1970.
-
Thousands flock to the 2024 Queen City Ex
The 2024 edition of the Queen City Ex (QCX) is now underway with a few notable additions.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon councillors eliminate minimum parking requirements
Saskatoon city council unanimously voted to remove minimum on-site parking requirements for new developments at a public hearing on Wednesday.
-
Broadway Roasteries closes namesake location in Saskatoon
The beloved Broadway Roasteries coffee shop on Broadway Avenue is closing its doors after 31 years, leaving the community it served feeling a little more tired and nostalgic.
-
Saskatoon's mayor says Saskatchewan is not ready for drug decriminalization
Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark says that, right now, he doesn’t think drug decriminalization is the way to tackle the addiction crisis in Saskatchewan.
Toronto
-
U-Haul truck crashes into Rexdale home, 2 people injured: police
The driver of a U-Haul truck crashed into a home in Rexdale Thursday evening and police say the structure has collapsed.
-
Murder charge laid in death of missing Markham, Ont. woman
York Regional Police say they have charged a suspect with second-degree murder after the remains of a missing Markham woman were found 90 minutes north of the city.
-
Summer McIntosh wins gold in 200-metre butterfly, sets Olympic record
Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh won her second Olympic gold medal in Paris with a victory in the women's 200-metre butterfly.
Montreal
-
Pruner electrocuted while working on tree Montreal police say
Montreal police (SPVM) have confirmed that a pruner in his 20s has died after being electrocuted while working on a tree in Montreal's Saint Laurent borough.
-
An accident between an SUV and a motorbike injures two people in Farnham, Eastern Townships
A collision between a sport utility vehicle (SUV) and a motorbike occurred on Thursday in Farnham, at the junction of route 104 and Saint-Grégoire Street, in the Eastern Townships.
-
No beach before 2028 because of health concerns in Montreal's east end
Montreal Public Health has restricted swimming at a beach in the city's east end because of contamination. In a report, the agency said that the soil at the beach in Promenade-Bellerive Park is contaminated with lead and benzene and that sewers could be contaminating the water.
Ottawa
-
Bylaw officers discover a raccoon living in an Ottawa apartment
Bylaw Services is reminding residents it's illegal to keep raccoons as pets, after discovering a raccoon had been living in an Ottawa apartment its whole life.
-
This Ottawa photo radar camera issued 10,000 speeding tickets in one month
Newly released statistics show the automated speed enforcement camera on King Edward Avenue, between Cathcart Street and St. Patrick Street, issued 10,592 tickets in June.
-
Gatineau police seek suspect in hit-and-run that injured elderly pedestrian
Gatineau police are looking for the driver of a vehicle in connection with a hit-and-run crash earlier this week.
Atlantic
-
Couple charged after dog found in distress in Yarmouth, N.S.
A Nova Scotia couple is facing animal-related charges after a person found a dog in need of medical care in the Yarmouth area earlier this summer.
-
Western portion of Moncton’s Vision Lands pushing forward
The City of Moncton is looking to move forward with developing at least a portion of Vision Lands – a very large area of dense trees and unused space situated in Moncton’s north end.
-
Atlantic Canadian division deploys troops to Latvia
The Canadian military deployed members of the 5th Canadian Division to Latvia as part of Operation Reassurance on Thursday.
London
-
Breanna Broadfoot’s family disappointed political bickering derailed federal meeting on intimate partner violence
Barely two weeks after his 17-year-old daughter Breanna Broadfoot was killed in London by an act of intimate partner violence (IPV), Brett Broadfoot had hoped a parliamentary committee meeting would initiate steps to protect victims by keeping offenders behind bars.
-
Emergency responders searching for a child in the Thames River
The London Fire Department’s water rescue team is searching for a child seen entering the Thames River.
-
Thousands of young athletes gather in London to compete in the Ontario Summer Games
A packed riser at Western’s Alumni Stadium on Thursday saw an estimated 5,000 people gathered to see 3,500 young athletes revel in their moment of glory, and to to celebrate their opening ceremonies on Thursday night.
Kitchener
-
Dramatic takedown in Kitchener caught on camera
Waterloo Regional Police say a high-risk arrest on Monday is linked to lengthy drug investigation in Kitchener.
-
Young teens reported missing to police
Waterloo Regional Police are asking for the public's help to find two missing teens.
-
Masking rules return at Guelph General Hospital
Masks are making a return at Guelph General Hospital due to rising rates of COVID-19 in the community.
Northern Ontario
-
Conservative leader speaks to packed house in northern Ontario
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been touring northern Ontario this week, including a rally Wednesday night in Kirkland Lake in front of a packed crowd
-
Costco's 'Apocalypse Dinner Kit' has a shelf life of 25 years. What is it?
Canadians looking to stock up on food for an emergency can order ready-made tubs from Costco online.
-
Charity that helps kids in Sudbury victimized by theft
The charity Northern Ontario Families of Children with Cancer was the victim of a brazen break-and-enter Wednesday night in Sudbury.
N.L.
-
N.L. opposition calls for firing of university chair over forwarding of alumnus email
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Progressive Conservatives called Thursday for the removal of the chair of Memorial University's board of regents after he forwarded an alumna's pro-Palestinian campaign email to her father last month.
-
Discovery of 19 dead dogs in Newfoundland leads to cruelty charges for Ontario man
A 59-year-old man from Ontario has been charged with animal cruelty after police found 19 dead dogs at a home in eastern Newfoundland this week.
-
N.L. university chair disciplined for sending pro-Palestinian email to alumnus's dad
The chair of the board of regents at Memorial University in Newfoundland and Labrador has been asked to take privacy training after he forwarded an alumnus's pro-Palestinian campaign email to her father.
