1. Stop by the Burnaby Artisan Farmers Market.
The market, in the north parking lot at Burnaby City Hall (4949 Canada Way), is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Along with all the usual delectable market offerings, you can enjoy the extra fun of the Zucchini Races, which challenge young marketgoers to make their own racers out of vegetables. You can also take in live music, enjoy the games table and kids area, or eat on site at the food trucks. Don’t forget to bring your own shopping bags. See www.artisanmarkets.ca for details.
2. Check out the opening of Jawahir: Jewels.
Jawahir: Jewels is the newest exhibition at Deer Lake Gallery. The Burnaby Arts Council is presenting the work of Durrah Alsaif, whose work examines sociopolitical questions including the role and status of women in her native Saudi Arabia. An opening reception is on Saturday, Aug. 18 at noon, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 15. The gallery is at 6584 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyartscouncil.org or call 604-298-7322 for details.
3. Run away and join the circus.
Failing that, you can just watch Machine de Cirque’s touring show, Truck Stop, outside at Deer Lake Park on Friday, Aug. 17. The Quebec-city based company brings five circus performers and a musician to the outdoor venue with a show that follows a group of campers road-tripping across the continent. There are two shows today (Friday): one at 4 and one at 7 p.m. It goes rain or shine, so arrive prepared for the weather. Catch the action on the south plaza at the Shadbolt Centre, 6450 Deer Lake Ave. Tickets are $10 for general admission; buy through tickets.shadboltcentre.com.
4. Take a walk back in time at Burnaby Village Museum.
It’s a favourite free activity for local families (the only charge is $2.65 for the carousel rides), and it gives you a chance to walk back into the Burnaby of the 1920s. Special events this Saturday include steam demos, school days presentations (at noon and 3 p.m. in the Seaforth Schoolhouse) and a kids’ ice cream making workshop at 1 p.m (You have to sign up ahead for the ice cream workshop; it’s $10 per child and you can call 604-297-4565.) . On Sunday you can check out the Staying Stylish display at Bell’s Dry Goods. The village is open 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at 6501 Deer Lake Ave. See www.burnabyvillagemuseum.ca.
5. Take the plunge and beat the heat.
It’s forecast to be hot and sunny all weekend, with highs of 25C Saturday and a mostly-sunny 28C on Sunday. With four outdoor pools in the city, there’s one not too far from you: Central Park at 6110 Boundary Rd.; Kensington at 700 Hammarskjold Dr.; MacPherson at 5485 Rumble St.; or Robert Burnaby at 8175 Wedgewood St. And they all offer super-affordable drop-in rates – free for preschoolers, $2.86 for kids four to 12; $3.14 for students/seniors and $4 for adults. See www.tinyurl.com/BBYOutdoorPools for full schedules and hours.
