Thurs. May 25: Hats Off Day Returns

Happy Thursday, BBY!

This past weekend, I got to do some local exploring, stopping by the Artisan Farmers Market and getting some delicious gourmet donuts and homemade jams to spruce up my bagels. Did you check it out?

And heads up: if you’re planning a picnic at any Burnaby parks or beaches in the near future, we have a temporary ban on charcoal briquette BBQs due to the increased wildfire risk.

Alright, let’s dive in.

- Brianna

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HISTORY

Uncovering Burnaby: Kapoor Sawmills

if you’re strolling through Barnet Marine Park, there’s a good chance that you’re going to come across some remnants of the many different sawmills that once occupied the area.

One of those was Kapoor Sawmills, which was opened in 1938 by Kapoor Singh Siddoo, a Sikh man from India who not only helped to establish a new mill business, but also became one of Vancouver’s most influential voices in the fight for the rights of South Asian people in Canada.

Kapoor Sawmills operated for 20 years until it was sold in 1959, following the after-effects of a disastrous fire in 1947.

SPONSORED BY DRAGON BOAT BC

The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival is back June 24-25

The continent's flagship dragon boat festival hits False Creek next month, and there's more than ever to see. With dragon boat races every eight minutes starting at 9am, the TD Main Stage's 100% local lineup including Dear Rouge and Sabai, cultural demonstrations and activities, food trucks, local vendors, and lion and dragon dance.

The Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival's 35th anniversary is Vancouver's ultimate summer kickoff party!

Burnaby Bulletin

💸 Burnaby leads the Mayors’ Food Bank Challenge! Donate now (if you can) and help the Greater Vancouver Food Bank.

💵 Two Burnaby-based organizations will receive $80,000 in provincial funding. Dixon Transition Society and St. Leonard’s Youth and Family Services Society will each receive $40,000 to increase community safety. [Burnaby Now]

🥩 Brewery & the Beast, Vancouver’s best food and drink event of the summer, is back Jul. 9! To buy tickets, see the restaurant lineup, and event details, visit BreweryAndTheBeast.com/Vancouver.*

🏫 SFU opened a new residence that will provide 369 student rooms and become the new home for The Simon, SFU’s short-term accommodation for campus visitors.

🔥 Category 2 open fire burns have been banned across the province due to increased wildfire risks, with campfires being banned in some areas.

🎷 Kick off summer with the Vancouver International Jazz Festival from Jun. 23 until Jul. 2. Enjoy more than 140 shows, including 50 free performances. Visit CoastalJazz.ca.*

🚨 Two Burnaby men have been charged with drug trafficking with potential connections to a trafficking ring across Western Canada. The arrests are part of a yearlong investigation in Saskatchewan and BC. [Burnaby Now].

☀️ Burnaby’s summer program registration opens June 5 at 10am for recreational programs. Registration will be limited to Burnaby residents before opening up to others. Check out the registration schedule here.

A forensic pathologist in the Ibrahim Ali trial has testified that he cannot be certain if the victim was killed where the body was found. [CityNews]

🧋 2023 Canada Bubble Tea Festival is returning to Burnaby Swangard Stadium with more excitements. Tickets are now available, get yours today!*

🎓 Cariboo Hill’s first grads (71-72) are celebrating their 50th anniversary this September. Find info here.

*Sponsored Listing

SPONSORED BY TOURISM BURNABY

Apply now for the Burnaby Halloween Festival Grant Program

Make your halloween event unforgettable with Burnaby Halloween Festival Grants! Get funding for your spine-chilling plans and be part of Canada's biggest halloween festival. With major event grants, special category grants, and community activation grants available, they support your outdoor extravaganzas and indoor fright festivals.

Turn your spooky dreams into reality, learn more here!

EVENTS

Hats Off Day parade returns after three-year hiatus

Hats Off Day returns in full force on Saturday, June 3. After three years of not running, the annual parade will join the lineup of events.

Starting at 9:30am, watch the family fun dash and wait for the parade at 10am. After the parade, the famous 2km street festival kicks off at 11am, with activities for all ages, food trucks, local vendors, live entertainment, and the Show and Shine car show.

Entry is free, and attendees are encouraged to check out the map of road closures before arriving.

Read more about this year’s event.

SPONSORED BY RIFF MOVING & STORAGE LTD

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Compose a seamless moving experience and embrace the harmony of your new home.

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READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

The best brewery in Burnaby

This week we’re continuing with our Beacon’s Readers’ Choice Awards category winners, and we have the results for the best breweries in Burnaby.

What do you think of the results?

Where to eat & drink

🍖 Abyssinia Restaurant is an Ethiopian restaurant that focuses on authentic Ethiopian dining through a mixture of traditional dishes and exotic flavour. The customers recommend the doro tibis.

🥘 Saray Turkish Cuisine is offering up authentic Turkish meals with rich flavours. Much like its namesake, customers recommend trying one of their saray dishes.

🍻 Hop & Vine Taphouse is known for its craft beer and casual atmosphere. Enjoy fresh and locally-sourced ingredients while you play pool or watch a sports game.

🗓 Things to do

Friday

• Veteran Virtual Job Fair: This Burnaby-based job fair caters to veterans who are looking for employment opportunities and runs from 11am to 2pm. Register for the event here.

• Adaptive Art for Developmental Disabilities: Art lovers with disabilities are invited to this inclusive workshop run by experienced artists. The event is free but attendees must pre-register here.

• ROJO Y SOMBRA: Presented by Kasandra Flamenco, this dance explores the energies of the root chakra. The dance runs for an hour and 30 minutes, and tickets can be bought here.

Saturday

• Burnaby Blooms Micro Event: Burnaby Blooms returns from 11am to 4pm with live entertainment, informative talks and events. Check out the workshops that require pre-registration here.

• SFdS Spring Fair: St Francis de Sales is hosting their Spring Fair at Rene Memorial Park. Stop by between 10am and 3pm to enjoy free entertainment, food trucks, and activities for the whole family.

• PADS Shred Event: Bring your confidential documents to Pacific Assistance Dogs Society’s Burnaby campus and get them shredded. Cost is by donation.

• Byrne Creek Ravine Park Cleanup: The first cleanup event by the City of Burnaby kicks off at 9:45am. Join other volunteers and city staff to help clean up the park.

Sunday

• You, Me and the Moon by Monica Lee: Monica Lee brings this family-friendly performance to the Shadbolt Centre. Telling a tale about parents and children, Monica will use projected images and puppets to help tell her story. Buy tickets here.

• IG Wealth Management Walk for Alzheimer’s: Join the Alzheimer’s Society of BC to walk in Central Park between 11am to 1pm. Start a team or join as an individual walker here.

Tuesday

• Fandom Trivia: Bring yourself and some friends down to the Rec Room Brentwood to test out your trivia game. Games start at 7:30pm.

Wednesday

• Jokers Canada presents Live Comedy: Some of Canada’s best comedians take the stage at The Rec Room Brentwood for a night full of laughs. The show starts at 8pm and tickets must be bought in advance here.