There is no shortage of interesting events on this weekend. So get out and take advantage of all Burnaby has to offer, whether it's getting to know your local police, exploring the evolving racial politics at a local cemetery or enjoying a garden party and bazaar.
Here are our top picks for weekend fun.
1 Take a tour of Burnaby's Ocean View cemetery with Maurice Guibord to learn about the evolution of racially segregated burial plots. The tour is on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 3 p.m. Around 1919, the cemetery created a section at the back of the property for non-Europeans immigrants and named it Mongolia, a now-antiquated racist reference to Asians. See the plots for Vancouver's Won Alexander Cumyow and Ross Hendrix, father of famous guitarist Jimi Hendrix. Meet at the cemetery entrance at Imperial Street and Patterson Avenue and wear comfortable walking shoes. Coffee will be served.
2 Get to know your local RCMP at the Burnaby detachment's open house event on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The detachment is at 6355 Deer Lake Ave., and there will be public safety workshops, live music, games and prizes, and a "mission impossible secret agent family activity." Local politicians and police brass will be there to meet and mingle with the public. Admission is free.
3 Swing by a garden party on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Burnaby community garden at 7912 Goodlad St. (in the backyard). There will be free food and drinks, and some of the food will be from the garden. There will be live performances, including The Can-Dos, who will be wearing percussive costumes, and children are encouraged to "play" their outfits. The event is a joint effort between the Burnaby Association for Community Inclusion, Building Caring Communities, Can You Dig It and the In the House Festival. The event is free and wheelchair accessible.
4 Try a free Cumbia class hosted by World Dance Co. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. Cumbia is a Latin American dance with a whole lot of hip-shaking. The free lesson is for beginners, and it takes place at 4858 Imperial St. For more info visit www.worlddanceco.com or call 604-517-4644.
5 Stop by the Dania home's annual bazaar on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Carl Mortensen Manor auditorium at 4035 Norland Ave. (The entrance is off Kincaid Street). The seniors' home will be serving open-faced Danish sandwiches, cake, Danish pastries, free coffee and tea. There will be raffles with door prizes and items for sale. The ladies auxiliary for Dania's residents are hosting the event, and the proceeds will go towards programs for the residents.
