HASTINGS SUNRISE
From what I hear, Gay Day at Playland is one of the most fun events taking place this month leading up to Pride Week, which this year culminates with the hugely popular parade Aug. 4.
Gay Day begins at noon Saturday, July 13 at Playland and carries on until late with the Free Zone, which this year will offer not only a beer garden and barbecue, but also the return of the Queentastic Legends hosted by the city's own Symone. The action takes place outside the gates of Play-land, with easy access to rides, games and enough cotton candy to guarantee sugar highs for everyone. The organizers are asking everyone attending to wear pink to support anti-bullying, Gay Day style. For more information, visit vancouverpride.ca.
MARPOLE
The 13th annual Marpole Summerfest takes place Saturday, July 13 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Granville Street between West 63rd and West 71st avenues.
Marpole Summerfest is a free, family-focused community celebration that brings Granville Street alive with live entertainment including the 323's, the Sand Northrup One Woman Circus, Sylvia the balloon artist, magic shows, Whistles the Clown, Ragtime Ron and the Riverboat Ramblers, Noah Nine and the Rainbow Facepainters. That's not to mention the Kids Zone and eighth annual Show & Shine showcase of classic cars.
DOWNTOWN
Learn how to use key Scottish family history records and Internet resources to trace your Scottish family history.
Genealogy in Scotland is a free workshop taking place at the Central Branch of the Vancouver Public Library, 350 West Georgia St., sponsored by the B.C. Genealogical Society, Thursday July 11 from 2 to 3: 30 p.m.
DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE Union Gospel Mission is hosting its 15th annual summer barbecue complete with a kids mini-carnival, including a bouncy castle, face painting, water fights, games and cotton candy. A major sponsor of this year's barbecue is Concert Properties, which is providing more than 100 volunteers to help run the July 20 event offering services in everything from barbecuing 6,000 meals and wheelchair repair for those who need it. A DJ will also be on hand mixing up the summer tunes. This year's menu includes 6,000 chicken burgers, 6,000 smokies, 1,500 pounds of coleslaw, 1,500 pounds of pasta salad, 1,000 pounds of pickles, 6,000 cans of pop and 6,000 Freezies.
The barbecue is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 20 at Oppenheimer Park, located on Cordova Street between Dunlevy and Jackson.
YVR
This Friday, July 12, the Vancouver International Airport is launching its first Paper Airplane Workshop & Competition from 11 a.m. to 12: 30 p.m.
The special event, part of the summer-long YVR Take-Off Fridays program, features prizes and expert guidance on paper airplane making. BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus instructor Ralph Heldt will be on hand to teach the basics behind building a paper airplane that will go the distance.
Once guests have perfected their own design, there will be a chance to compete for prizes for the first 15 people who sign up. The grand prize winner will receive a "Stay-cation Destination," consisting of $250 in YVR bucks, an airside tour and a one-night stay at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel. Special parking rates of $5 for up to four hours are in effect for YVR Fridays or grab the Canada Line for easy access.
The action takes place in the Observation Area on Level Four of the domestic terminal. For more information, visit yvr.ca. [email protected]
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