FRIDAY, JULY 3
PLAY BALL
Take me out to the ball game this weekend as Coquitlam Minor Softball hosts the U14 "C" Girls Provincial Championships at Mundy Park (1461 Hillcrest St., Coquitlam), where 16 of the best teams from across B.C. will be duking it out for top title this weekend. The free action runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Sunday and offers fun family events and a loaded concession. Visit coquitlamsoftball.com for more information.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
ART OPEN HOUSE
Korean-Canadian artist Sue Kim hosts her second open house, featuring a collection of her HanCa/west coast-inspired paintings, at the Port Moody Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr.). Everyone is welcome to the event, from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
ROSE SHOW
Take in the magnificent sight — and smell — of the annual Fraser Pacific Rose Society's Rose & Floral Art Show at the Dogwood Pavilion (624 Poirier St., Coquitlam) from 1 to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. There will be free guided tours of the Centennial Rose Garden and the Canadian Heritage rose gardens every two hours, talks by rose experts on Sunday and free floral arrangement demonstrations. Admission is $3.50 (children are free).
VILLAGE VIBE
Port Coquitlam opens its free performance series with a return to Village Vibe, presented on the outdoor stage at Leigh Square Saturdays at 2 p.m. and featuring emerging dancers for the month of July.
TAKE A SOJOURN
Canada's rhythm and blues legend, Jim Byrnes, takes the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) stage tonight with his band, The Sojourners, for a night of top-notch entertainment. The show is part of Evergreen's Music on the Grill series but, sorry folks, if you don't already have dinner tickets, that ship has sailed. Visit www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca or call 604-927-6555 for more information and tickets for the concert, which starts at 8 p.m.
SUNDAY, JULY 5
FAMILY PARTY
Grab the kids, put on your swimsuits and slather on the sunscreen for the Westhill Family Pool Party (203 Westhill Pl.) from 1 to 4 p.m. Cool off at the outdoor pool and enjoy a barbecue, with games and entertainment for the kids including a magic show, balloon art, pool challenges and a bouncy castle. Admission is $2.
TREE TOUR
Get up close to the fragrant Linden trees at the Riverview Horticultural Centre Society's guided tree tour of the Riverview Hospital grounds. The tour leaves at 1 p.m. from the upper entrance of the Henry Esson Young building. Visit www.rhcs.org or call 604-290-9910 for more information.
CREATIVE CAFE
Inspire your family's creative side at the Creative Café at the lodge at Minnekhada Regional Park (4455 Oliver Rd., Coquitlam) from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be creative activities for kids and a chance to check out the park's beautiful surroundings. Visit www.minnekhada.ca for more info.
FREE SWIM
Who couldn't use a little cooling off? Grab the kids and head to the Hyde Creek rec centre (1379 Laurier Ave., PoCo) for a Westminster Savings free swim from 1 to 3 p.m. There's another freebie swim at the Poirier Sport & Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam)
SUMMER SUNDAYS
Summer weekends mean it's time for some outstanding — and free — outdoor concerts (donations benefit Crossroads Hospice). At the PCT Performance Stage at PoMo's Rocky Point Park (2800-block Murray Street) Steelin' in the Years kicks off the series with their Steely Dan tribute. The 10-person band will have audiences hopping, starting at 2 p.m. Visit www.summersundays.ca for more information.
MUSIC IN THE PARK
Leading the Lions Park (2300 Lions Way, PoCo) Music in the Park series is Leonard and the Lab Rats, a swing blues group performing a mix of soul-stirring harmonica, guitar, bass and drums with music ranging from jazz to rock, swing, soul and more. The free show runs from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit www.portcoquitlam.ca for more information.
