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Scavenge for prizes in Port Coquitlam's annual harvest festival

Pet costume contest, pumpkin carving and cupcake painting among the fun things taking place in downtown Port Coquitlam, leading up to the Harvest Festival at Leigh Square on Saturday, Oct. 22.
PoCo BIa Harvest Festival
Jennifer McKinnon, executive director of the Port Coquitlam BIA and Matt LeRoy, BIA president, and small business advisor with VanCity, prepare for the harvest festival.

Downtown Port Coquitlam is decorated for fall as local businesses host a family-friendly harvest festival with free or low-cost events — and plenty of prizes.

Along with the downtown painted in leaves for the annual scavenger hunt, the Downtown PoCo Business Improvement Association (BIA) has many other family events happening in the core during the month of October.

And, after a two-year hiatus, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, PoCo businesses are excited to welcome the community once again.


See below for a full list of events


“The BIA loves bringing people into the downtown, this time of year especially," stated PoCo BIA executive director Jennifer McKinnon in a press release.

"The leaves are turning and the sun is still shining and it’s the perfect time to walk the downtown. We are offering many free opportunities to enjoy some of our favourite local businesses from yoga to bowling; groceries to dining. We love the walkability of our downtown community and our beautiful tree-lined streets and look forward to seeing you soon.”

The fun and frolic leads up to the Harvest Festival, which takes place in Leigh Square from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 22.

It will feature live music, family photos and children’s entertainment, including games and face painting.

With limited road closures, there will be ample parking for the Harvest Festival, organizers say.

Meanwhile, the scavenger hunt is already underway throughout downtown PoCo until Sunday, Nov. 6, with hundreds of dollars worth of gift cards in prizes.

Here's how it works:

Download and print your Scavenger Hunt sheet. Then find the hidden numbers on the harvest leaves at each of the listed businesses and write it in the corresponding square.

Return your completed scavenger hunt sheet by Nov. 6.

Drop it off at the Downtown PoCo BIA office at suite E – 2232 McAllister Ave., or e-mail it to [email protected].

The sheet will also be available in the Oct. 13 edition of the Tri-City News.

Here's the list of events:

  • Harvest Festival Scavenger Hunt: Now until Nov. 6
  • Fall Cupcake Workshop with Cassandra Cake Co: Oct.18 at Michael Wright Art Gallery at 6 p.m. - $10
  • Fall into Yoga at Sahana Yoga & Sound: October 17 at 5 p.m.
  • Bosley’s Pet Costume Contest Oct. 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bosley's on Shaughnessy - Free
  • Harvest Festival Cornhole Tournament: Oct. 8, 15 and 22 (registration only) 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Patina Brewing. $20 for teams of two.
  • PoCo Bowl open house: Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Port Coquitlam Bowl - Free
  •  Pumpkin Decorating: Oct. 19 from 5 pm to 7 p.m. at Safeway on Shaughnessy - Free
  •  Coffee with a Cop: Oct. 25 from 10 a.m .to 12 p.m .at Cassandra Cake Co – Free
  • Downtown PoCo Harvest Festival: Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Free community event featuring live music, games, the Port Coquitlam Foundation Pumpkin Pop Up, family photos with Butter Studios, downtown businesses, beverages, face painting, and entertainment.