1). The 21st annual Scandinavian Midsummer Festival is on this weekend. The two-day event on June 18 and 19 will feature cultural displays, shopping kiosks, folk dancing, music, traditional cuisine, kids’ activities, and more. Stop by the Viking Village and chat with some of the Vikings. We can’t forget the Finnish wife carrying contest – we recommend the Estonian method, where the wife hands upside down on the husband’s back with her arms around his waist and her legs around his head. A festival pass is $10, while kids under 16 get in for free. Gates open at 10 a.m. both days (there’s free parking, too). It’s all happening at the Scandinavian Community Centre, at 6540 Thomas St.
2). Head over to Ernie Winch Park on Saturday for the Inclusion Festival. There will be lots to see and do, including face painting, games and dance performances. The park is located at 7680 15th St. The community event runs from noon till 4 p.m. All ages welcome.
3). The Shadbolt Centre for the Arts is hosting Opera on a Sunday Afternoon on June 19. It’s part of a four-concert series produced by the Burnaby Lyric Opera. Tickets for the two-hour show are $15. Curtain rise is at 3 p.m. For more information, call 604-205-3000. The Shadbolt is at 6450 Deer Lake Ave.
4). Are you a soccer fan? Catch all the UEFA Euro 2016 action at Brentwood Town Centre until July 11. Cheer on your favourite team at centre court in the Euro Cup Lounge. Iceland and Hungary battle it out at 9 a.m. on Saturday, followed by Portugal and Austria at noon. Sunday sees Switzerland and France hit the field, as well as Romania and Albania.
5). Embrace the lake and join the Burnaby Canoe and Kayak Club for its open house on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. See what amazing recreational opportunities await on the water. Club members and volunteers will lay out a flotilla of canoes, kayaks and dragon boats for visitors to try out. There’ll be information on various club and camps for attendees to consider. Access to the club is at 6871 Roberts Ave.
Send Top 5 suggestions to [email protected]. For more community events, see www.burnabynow.com.
