From the Chinatown Festival to the return of the B.C. Lions, there’s something for everyone happening in Metro Vancouver this weekend. Here are some events you may want to check out. B.C. Lions come home (and more for the sports fans) After a FIFA-World-Cup-imposed exile for the first two months of the CFL season, the B.C. Lions are back at B.C. Place this Saturday to take on the Toronto Argonauts. Kickoff is at 4 p.m., but the festivities start at noon with a "Pool Party" on Robson Street outside the stadium. Elsewhere in the local sports scene this weekend, Vancouver FC and Vancouver Rise both have home matches. The former is taking on Cavalry FC at 7 p.m. Friday and the latter hosts Halifax Tides at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Vancouver Bandits host the Saskatoon Mamba on Saturday at 6 p.m. Saturday also marks the start of the Odlum Brown VanOpen tennis tournament at Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver. And BOOM! Pro Wrestling will take over Vancouver’s Commodore Ballroom on Saturday. Vancouver Chinatown Festival The 24th Annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival takes place from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, centred around the intersection of Keefer and Columbia streets. The free, family friendly celebration features food and artisan vendors, live performances, a children’s theatre and more. Grouse Mountain Centennial Festival Grouse Mountain has been celebrating its 100th anniversary all year, but Thursday marked the start of the attraction’s official Centennial Festival. The celebration continues through Aug. 3, with a variety of events happening daily. This weekend’s festivities include drone shows, a yoga class and a birthday party fundraiser for the mountain’s resident grizzly bears Grinder and Coola. More information can be found on Grouse’s website. All Over The Map New Works Dance begins “All Over The Map,” its free series of outdoor dance performances, with shows at the Vancouver Public Library and on Granville Island this weekend. The VPL performance takes place at noon on Friday at the library’s Central Branch downtown, while the Granville Island performances are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sunday. All Over The Map continues with additional shows on Aug. 14 and 16. Visit New Works Dance’s website for more information. Strathcona Blocks Party Businesses along East Hastings Street in Vancouver’s Strathcona neighbourhood will celebrate the fifth annual Strathcona Blocks Party on Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. The epicentre of the event is the parking lot at 840 E. Hastings St., where there will be live music and dance performances, food trucks and a kids zone. Strathcona Beer Company, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, will host a beer garden from noon to 8 p.m. Chillin’ in the Park Music Festival Also in its fifth year is the Chillin’ in the Park Music Festival, a free concert in Guelph Park—better known as Dude Chilling Park—organized by Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Association. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. A list of participating performers and local businesses can be found on the BIA’s website. Country Club and Rosé Disco at Jericho Beach A pair of ticketed booze and music festivals are taking place this weekend at Vancouver’s Jericho Beach Park. On Saturday, the Country Club Festival celebrates tequila, line dancing and country music from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Sunday, Rosé Disco brings pink wines and DJ sets to the beach for the same hours. Ticket information can be found on each event’s website. False Creek Crab Festival Seafood enthusiasts will make their way to Vancouver’s Fisherman’s Wharf on Sunday for the False Creek Crab Festival, a celebration of B.C.’s crab fishery. Now in its fourth year, the crab boil runs from noon to 4 p.m. and tickets include a Dungeness crab plate, a sweet treat and two drink tasting tickets. More information can be found online. 12th Street Festival New Westminster’s West End Business Association will host the 12th Street Festival on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The free event features two stages of live music, plus food and craft vendors, a kids zone and family friendly activities.
