Summer is still the better part of two months away, but outdoor festival season has arrived in Metro Vancouver. From the iconic Sun Run to the second edition of a new Filipino tradition, here are some events to check out on the last weekend of April.
Vancouver Sun Run
Now in its 41st year, the Vancouver Sun Run is “Canada’s largest and most beautiful 10-kilometre road race,” according to organizers.
The main race begins at 9 a.m. Sunday at Georgia and Thurlow streets downtown, and road closures will be in effect along the course throughout the morning and into the early afternoon.
In addition to the race itself, the Sun Run will host an expo at the Vancouver Convention Centre’s east exhibition hall on Friday and Saturday. More information can be found on the Sun Run website.
Party for the Planet
B.C.’s largest Earth Day celebration is taking place in Surrey on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“Party for the Planet” is a free, family friendly event in Surrey Civic Plaza featuring environmental education, live performances, a plant sale, food trucks and more. A schedule of events and more information can be found online.
Lapu Lapu Day
Filipino BC and Sunset on Fraser are hosting their second annual Lapu Lapu Day block party in South Vancouver on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Lapu Lapu was an Indigenous Visayan chieftain who led the fight against Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and is considered the first national hero of the Philippines, according to organizers.
The block party is a celebration of Filipino culture, with live music, food and vendors stretching from John Oliver Secondary School to 49th Avenue in the alley and parking lots behind the businesses on that stretch of Fraser Street.
Richmond Night Market
This weekend also marks the return of the Richmond Night Market, which is celebrating its 25th year this summer.
Boasting more than 500 food vendors serving cuisines from around the world, plus more than 100 retail booths and – beginning next month – a zip line, the market opens for the season on Friday.
Opening hours are 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, Saturday and stat-holiday-weekend Sundays, and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on stat holidays and regular Sundays. General admission is $7, and the market will be open every weekend from Friday until Oct. 13.
Vancouver Rise at Swangard
After debuting to a crowd of more than 14,000 at B.C. Place last week, Vancouver’s new professional women’s soccer team will head to its permanent home on Sunday.
Vancouver Rise FC will host Montreal Roses FC at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby. Both teams won their respective inaugural Northern Super League matches and will be looking to build momentum and take an early lead in the league table. Kickoff is scheduled for noon and ticket information can be found on the Vancouver Rise website.
With files from MOVE 103.5’s Leanne McLaren
Correction
This story has been updated to correct the date of the Vancouver Sun Run. It is on Sunday.
