Thurs. July 4, 2024 edition: Thousands celebrate Canada Day in Burnaby

Good morning, Burnaby!

For its third year, Burnaby’s Canada Day StreetFest drew an enormous crowd of festival goers from Burnaby and neighbouring municipalities. Thousands of people from Burnaby and the Lower Mainland gathered for the event—our lead story will draw you right in. Also in this edition, we’re taking a close look at the second annual Pinoy Festival as well as an in-depth conversation with StreetFest’s headliner Dear Rouge.

👀 In today's edition:

• Thousands celebrate Canada Day in Burnaby

• Burnaby celebrates Filipino-Canadians

• A talk with StreetFest’s Dear Rouge

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NEWS

Thousands celebrate Canada Day in Burnaby

For the third year, Burnaby’s Canada Day StreetFest drew an enormous crowd of festival goers from Burnaby and neighbouring municipalities.

Thousands of people from Burnaby and the Lower Mainland gathered for the event, which extended from Civic Square to Central Park in Metrotown. The festivities started at 6:30pm and continued until after 11pm when the fireworks show ended. 

“Those of you who were here last year enjoyed a great party, but I think this year is shaping up to be even better, don’t you think?” Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said.

Get the full story here.

SPONSORED BY KHATSAHLANO STREET PARTY

Khatsahlano Street Party returns July 6

The Khatsahlano Street Party, Vancouver's largest free music and arts festival, returns for its 12th year on West 4th Avenue, between Burrard and MacDonald. Sponsored by the Merchants of West 4th Avenue, this vibrant event showcases over 50 musical acts, local artisans, and a variety of food trucks.

Festival-goers are encouraged to embrace the theme #SHINEYOURLIGHT by donning their most sparkly outfits. Highlights include the Arc’teryx climbing wall, Peak Performance mini golf, and interactive photo walls by Flight Centre, No Frills, and Carter Honda.

For families, there’s the KHATS KIDS stage with performances by beloved children's entertainers. The day is filled with excitement, community spirit, and endless fun, making it a must-visit summer event in Vancouver.

Burnaby Bulletin

Behind pars. Authorities broke up an altercation involving "numerous" golfers at a course in Burnaby’s Riverway Golf Course over the weekend—an incident that was apparently prompted by serious breaches in etiquette. [CTV News]

Driving ban. After a lengthy delay and a warrant for her arrest, a Maple Ridge woman has been sentenced to 12 months probation and a six-month driving ban in connection with a crash that killed a senior in Burnaby nearly three years ago. [Global News]

Zoning bylaw in effect. Burnaby’s amended zoning bylaw allowing increased density in residential neighbourhoods is now in effect. Starting July 1, 2024, residential lots previously zoned for single- or two-family homes are allowed to accommodate up to 3 or 4 housing units.

Outdoor entertainment in Burnaby parks. Summer Stages at Confederation Park starts this July 9. Every Tuesday to Thursday until August 29, guests can enjoy two live performances every day at 11:30am and 2pm.

High speeds. BC's police watchdog says a police SUV reached speeds over 124 km/h in a 50 km/h zone while following a car that went on to crash into another vehicle and kill two teenagers on the Burnaby-New Westminster two years ago. [Burnaby Now]

Are you looking to tune-up your cycling skills? HUB Cycling offers cycling courses for all skill levels, whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just learning to ride a bike.*

*Sponsored Listing

NEWS

Burnaby celebrates Filipino-Canadians

Filipino-Canadians’ diversity in the Metro Vancouver area was evident at Swangard Stadium on Saturday, June 22, when the second annual Pinoy Festival in Burnaby kicked off with a community parade.

In 2023, the festival took place at Civic Square, but due to its popularity, it was moved to Swangard this year to accommodate more people. The event was funded in part by an $8,000 grant from Festivals Burnaby.

The parade, which went around the stadium’s track, aimed to provide a snapshot of the Filipino community in the Lower Mainland. Groups represented doctors, engineers, construction workers, migrant advocates, LGBTQ+ groups, seniors, youth, and different ethnic groups from throughout the Philippines. 

Members of Burnaby City Council, the provincial government, and the Philippines Consulate in BC also joined the parade. BC Premier David Eby also announced plans for a new Filipino cultural centre in the Lower Mainland.

Get the full story here. 

SPONSORED BY CANADA BUBBLE TEA FESTIVAL

Bubble Tea Festival is coming on July 19-21

Indulge your senses in a burst of delightful flavors and join us at the Canada Bubble Tea Festival, where the magic of tapioca pearls and vibrant concoctions come together to create an unforgettable experience! Get your tickets now!

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

Dear Rouge: StreetFest’s headliner talks music, future plans and parenthood

Headlining Burnaby’s Canada Day StreetFest this year was Canadian alternative rock duo Dear Rouge. The duo hit the main stage in Central Park on the lawn near Patterson Station right before the fireworks as part of the event’s free musical concerts.

The Beacon sat down with Danielle and Drew McTaggart—the duo behind Dear Rouge—to hear more about how they have grown as musical and life partners. Their journey has taken them all over Canada and beyond, bringing recognition and a growing fanbase. And their music has evolved over the years.

“I think lyrically our songs have evolved into hoping to be more vulnerable with our own story,” Danielle said. “Drew and I are getting bolder in using our own stories and trying to be more vulnerable in that way, which I think, in turn, creates better art.” 

Read the Beacon’s conversation with Dear Rouge here.

SPONSORED BY BRODO

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Where to eat & drink

🍖 The Tannenbaum Restaurant. You can find a wide range of German specialties at this cozy nook in New West, such as gulasch soup, potato pancakes and spatzle. Finish strong with a black forest cake or apple strudel (or, better yet, a hefty pint of hefeweizen).

🍜 The Viet Noodle Guy. Don’t be mistaken by the name, The Viet Noodle Guy does a lot more than just noodle dishes. Along with your classic selection of noodle soups, you can also find delicious gems like lemongrass chicken, banh mi and tofu salad.

🫔 Don Chepe’s Restaurant. Serving recipes from El Salvador that have been passed on from generation to generation, Don Chepe’s Restaurant is a great spot to indulge in ceviche, chicharron, refried yuca and much, much more.

🤝 Now Hiring

Looking to make a move? Here are local jobs open right now:

• Chair’s Assistant at Simon Fraser University

• Shift Manager at Earl’s

• Analyst at Bureau Veritas

• Account Representative at Briere Production Group

• Mortgage Sales at EMC Mortgages

• Pool Instructor at Aquafit for All

• Facilities Specialist at Ricoh

• Restaurant Manager at Bow & Stern

Hiring and want to let people know? Reply back and let us know!

🗓 Things to do

Thursday

• Babytime. 11:30am. Burnaby Public Library.

• Coffee Connections. 6pm. Beta Collective Burnaby.

• Super Advising: Science! 1:30pm. Sci-Space.

Friday

• Sounds Like Summer. 12pm. Deer Lake Park.

• Magic & Comedy. 7:30pm. The Rec Room.

• Greek SummerFest. 8pm. 4541 Boundary Rd.

• Metrotown Night Market. 6pm. Metropolis at Metrotown.

Saturday

• BongMilanti Summer Picnic. 10am-5pm. Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park.

• Alcohol Ink Art Workshop. 2pm. Charles Rummel Centre.

• Pride Community Picnic. 1pm-4pm. Maywood Park.

• Moonlight Sonata Summer Social. 12pm. 5648 Imperial St.

Sunday

• Community Picnic. 12-4pm. Burnaby Fraser Foreshore Park.

• Parkway Alive: Patterson Skytrain Station. 11am. Patterson Skytrain Station.

• Gaymers Picnic. 1pm-6pm. Central Park.

Monday

• CommUNITY Fest x Elevate. 6pm. The Amazing Brentwood.

• Paint Nite: Pineapple Reflection. 7pm. WINGS Burnaby.

Tuesday

• Summer Stages. 11:30am. Confederation Park.

• Games for English Learners. 6pm. Burnaby Public Library.

• English Conversation Circle. 1:30pm. Burnaby Public Library.

Wednesday

• Chakra Clearing Meditation Sound Bath. 7pm. Savasana Meditation. 

• Sounds Like Summer. 12pm. Burnaby Mountain Park.