With summer officially here, we’ve rounded up the Top 5 festivals in Burnaby to check out. Make sure to mark a few (or all) on your calendar because there’s something for everyone. So without further ado:
1). Taco Fest
When: Saturday, July 8, noon till 10 p.m.
Where: Swangard Stadium, Kingsway and Boundary Road
The third annual Taco Fest returns to Swangard Stadium this summer.
There will be door prizes, live wrestling, a gigantic taco piñata and The Ring of Fire eating competition. Expect more than 20 food vendors and merchants.
The outdoor event is for all ages (there is a bar on site for parents).
Besides tacos, there will be lots of punk band/rock performances. Hitting the stage are Big John Bates, La Chinga, Los Furios, Blackout Lights, Cawama, Year of the Wolf, Matt Hoyles and Seven Nines and Tens.
Tickets costs $25 at the gate or $22 online (visit tinyurl.com/TacoTix). Kids 13 and under get in free. All tickets come with two Taco Fest tokens, which can be used for food purchases.
2). Giro di Burnaby
When: Thursday, July 13
Where: Heights neighbourhood
Bring the family and cheer on the cyclists at the Giro di Burnaby on Thursday, July 13. This Heights neighbourhood event always attracts a big crowd along Hastings Street.
The Giro di Burnaby, now in its 10th year, is one race in the B.C. Superweek series that sees cycling pros from all over the world come to race on the streets of the Lower Mainland.
Participants race numerous laps on a closed course just over one kilometre in length.
The youth race begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the women’s race at 6 p.m. and the men’s race at 7:15 p.m. Awards will be presented at 8:30 p.m.
Best part of this event? It’s free to watch and everyone will be entertained. Oh, and did we mention there’s a beer garden? You can find it at the corner of Hastings Street and Madison Avenue. It opens at 6 p.m.
3). Latin Summer Fest
When: Saturday, Aug. 12 and Sunday, Aug. 13
Where: Swangard Stadium
Swangard Stadium hosts the Latin Summer Fest on Aug. 12 and 13.
The goal of the event is to promote Latin culture through music, food and education, according to an online write-up.
Festival-goers can listen to Afro, Latin and reggae tunes over the two days. Bands include Antidoping (Mexico) and The Sentiments (Portland, Oregon).
There will be vendor booths, food trucks, a kids’ activity area and more.
Tickets cost $25 at the gate.
4). Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival
When: Saturday, Aug. 12
Where: Deer Lake Park, 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
You won’t want to miss the 18th annual Burnaby Roots + Blues Festival.
A world-class lineup of musicians will once again take over Deer Lake Park on Saturday, Aug. 12. This year’s headliner is Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, who recently opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Other performers include Matt Andersen, Sue Foley, Leeroy Stagger, Jesse Roper, Murray Porter, Little Miss Higgins, Jesse Waldman and Kaya Kurz.
Music fans will be treated to a full day of continuous music from two different stages, plus local food vendors, shopping at the Blues Market and family-friendly activities.
Gates open at noon, with the show starting at 1 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m. Tickets are $65 or $220 for a four-pack. Day-of-tickets are $80. Children 12 and under get in free with an accompanying adult. Call the box office at 604-205-3000 to arrange complimentary tickets.
For more information, visit www.burnabybluesfestival.com.
5). RCMP Musical Ride
When: Friday, Aug. 18
Where: Swangard Stadium
With Canada turning 150 this year, what better way to celebrate than watching the RCMP’s Musical Ride, coming to Swangard Stadium Friday, Aug. 18.
The highlight is a troop of 32 horses and Mounties showing off choreographed cavalry drills to music.
“From the famous ‘dome’ formation, which was once featured on the back of the Canadian $50 bill, to the exciting ‘charge’ movement, where lances are lowered and the riders and their mounts launch into a gallop, the RCMP Musical Ride continues to be a much-loved event across Canada,” reads an event notice.
There will also be preshow entertainment provided by the RCMP E Division pipes and drums, and Grupo Axé Capoeira.
The festivities are on from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets cost $10 (kids five and under get in free). Proceeds from ticket sales will support Honour House Society and Burnaby Neighbourhood House.
