Surrey Fusion Festival July 18 & 19

This looks like fun! This multicultural festival is a two day event celebrating food, culture and music with over 25 international pavilions.

Entertainment is on 3 concurrent stages at Surrey's Holland Park, located at King George Highway and Old Yale Road. Visitors are expected to be in the tens of thousands so bring your own food and drink to avoid standing in line and prevent any kiddie melt downs. Everything is out doors, so don't forget the sunscreen.

July 19: Visit a Firehall in Vancouver

Mount Pleasant, Killarney and West End firehalls are having open houses this day. If you're already going into Vancouver it's worth stopping by a firehall with the kids for a tour of the house and fire engines. The fire fighters are great at showing the kids around all the equipment and it's a great opportunity to show your little ones what the firefighters will be dressed like if they should ever have to enter the house for a rescue.



Locations are West End: 1001 Nicola Street, Killarney 3090 East 54th Avenue, Mount Pleasant 2801 Quebec Street

July 19: Music at Lions Park Port Coquitlam

Every Sunday, July and August 2-4 pmLions Park (Click here for map and directions) Bring your lawn chair, a picnic and the enitre family to Lions Park this summer! Music in the Park is a series of free concerts held in Lions Park, located on Lions Way off Shaughnessy Street, every Sunday afternoon from 2 pm to 4 pm throughout the months of July and August. Free parking, shade trees, picnic tables and a large playgroud, make Lions Park a great place to spend a Sunday afternoon. You can also enjoy the original artwork of local artists provided by the Art Focus Artists' Association .

July 19 - Santa Lucia (latin funk) Listen to the early days of Latin Rock mixed with funk and a drop of rock. Grab the kids, a picnic blanket and pack some snacks for the kids and hang out for a while.

July 19: Discovery Day Festival in Burnaby

Sunday, July 19 is the 25th Annual Discovery Day Festival in Burnaby. Free Admission 10:00am-4:00pm at Deer Lake Park & Shadbolt Centre. More information is availablea at http://www.shadboltcentre.com/

July 11 & 12: Celebrate Carrbbean Days in Maple Ridge

This festival is loads of fun and the biggest Caribbean festival in Canada. It runs Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday 12-9, on 224th street (between Dewdney and Lougheed) and at the adjoining bandstand and Peace Park. Enjoy live bands on two stages, playing reggae, calypso, salsa and soca music. Stay for the colourful costume parade, street vendors with caribbean food and jewelry. A large kid zone will feature rides and street entertainers. In previous years the kids entertainment has featured face painting and some really great craft activities. I take the kids each year and this is one of the highlights of the summer, with a very festive, relaxed and happy atmosphere that the kids really love.

Sunday July 12: Self-Guided Family Bird Watching at Campbell Valley Regional Park

From 1-4 starting at the Campbell Valley Visitor Centre at the corner of 8th Avenue and 204th Street in Langley, follow the path to the yellow building. Volunteers will be on site to answer questions, a Discovery Pack is available to families to take on the self-guided tour and there will be some puppets and crafts for the small ones. Nice little outing if you're in the area, be sure to dress for the weather, some areas may get muddy.

Sunday July 12: Learn orienteering at Lynn Headwaters Regional Park!

No need to register, but take note that kids should be at least 8 years old for this event. Dress for the weather and bring something to eat and drink. Meet at B.C. Mills house between 10:00 and 3:00 and allow 1-2 hours to navigate this self guided course using clues and a compass to find your way. Let the kids lead the way and learn as they go.