Blast from the past
On Saturday (August 16), Kitsilano restaurants will be spilling out into the street. That’s because West 4th Avenue between Burrard and Balsam streets will be car-free for the Summer of Love festival. Browns Social House (2296 West 4th Avenue) will be flipping burgers on an extended patio next to the festival’s main stage at Vine Street, and many eateries will offer walk-up specials. The fest runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nosh in the slow lane
Time to get out of town? Grab your bike and head to Pemberton’s Slow Food Cycle Sunday, taking place on August 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Register on-site at Pemberton Community Centre to obtain a map for the free ride, which winds through 26 kilometres of flat meadows, with farm stops for produce and nibbles. For more information, see www.slowfoodcyclesunday.com/ .
Follow that dairy product
If you’ve seen the U.K.’s wild cheese-rolling contests, you know the madness that ensues when a bunch of nutters tumble downhill trying to capture a wheel of cheese. Enter—if you dare—the first annual Canadian Cheese Rolling Festival, Saturday (August 16) at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, Whistler. (Register at www.canadiancheeserolling.ca/ .) The prize? The cheese you chase and a Whistler/Blackcomb ski pass. Spectators can try cheese bowling and a cheese-rolling obstacle course.
Finger-staining good
It’s blackberry season, and for those without a favourite back-lane bush, here’s another option. This Saturday (August 16), UBC Farm is celebrating with a blackberry festival, which means the produce market will feature additional vendors and live entertainment. The farm will open its blackberry bushes for U-pick at a suggested donation of $2 per pint. (U-pick will be offered on market days till the end of blackberry season.) Garden-tool sharpening will also be offered. The market runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6182 South Campus Road.
Quench the tropical heat
On Sunday (August 17) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., John Hendry (Trout Lake) Park will be party central during Latin Summer Fest. And what’s a party without refreshments? In addition to Salvadorian pupusa and Chilean empanadas, don’t miss the beverages. Sip the coconut water from a real coconut or enjoy freshly squeezed tamarind and mango juices. See www.latinsummerfest.com/ for details.
Wine of a time
Check out Vinocamp ( www.vinocamp.com/ ) for a simple, sane take on the world of wine, this Saturday (August 16) at UBC Botanical Garden. A full day of tastings and talks—get the dirt on B.C. wines, professional versus amateur winemaking, food and wine pairing, and organic wines—is an easy $50 and includes lunch.