BC Adventures – Our To Do Picks for March 3 – 9

Be seduced by the sounds of Bon Debarras at the Festival Du Bois

What to do in BC this week

Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown – March 1-4
Billed as “All for fun, and fun for all!,” Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown takes place in Victoria from March 1 to 4. Wallet-weary residents can enjoy free admissions, special offers and discounts to the city’s best-known attractions, restaurants, tour operators, whale watching and retail stores. It’s a perfect excuse to sample all that Victoria has to offer — without spending big bank. For tickets, swing by Thrifty Food locations, BC Lottery outlets or the Tourist Information Centre.

Whoop it up at the Festival du Boi – March 3-4
Dust off your beret and say “bonjour” to Festival du Bois, a family-style carnival celebrating Quebecois culture on March 3 and 4 at Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave, Coquitlam). Everyone’s welcome to join in the joie de vivre with live music, dance and scores of food vendors serving up such French-Canadian faves as tourtière, poutine and maple sugar pie. One bite, and revelers of all tongues will be speaking the universal language of “mmm.”

Plan Your Dream Ceremony at Wow-worthy Weddings  – March 3
There’s no place like home, sure, but there’s something wow-worthy about tying the knot in the tropics. If you’re planning to say your “I do’s” overseas, then head to the Destination Wedding & Honeymoon Show on March 3 at River Rock Casino Resort (8811 River Rd, Richmond), where you’ll find over 50 destination-wedding travel experts from Mexico, the Caribbean and the South Pacific who will help make your dream wedding a reality. Check it out from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with $10 admission at the door.

Dance the Night Away at the West Coast Railway Association’s Rock Into Spring Gala – March 3
With winter winding down, spring is so close you can practically smell it. One way to celebrate the upcoming season? The West Coast Railway Association’s Rock Into Spring Gala on March 3 at the CN Roundhouse and Conference Centre (39645 Government, Squamish). Everyone’s welcome to join in the fun, which includes great food, a full-service bar, live and silent auction and live music courtesy of award-winning Elvis impersonator Steve Elliott, all starting at 6 p.m. For tickets, call 604-898-9336.

Make Your Way to the Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show – March 3-4
Before you head off into the great outdoors, we recommend you make a pit stop indoors at the Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Place), site of the Outdoor Adventure & Travel Show on March 3 and 4. Billed as the biggest show of its kind in B.C., it features more than 200 exhibits on everything from biking, hiking and running to water, board and mountain sports, along with pre-season deals on outdoor gear and inside info on exciting adventure vacations. Admission is $12 at the door.

Get Informed at Power of Movement – March 4
Does your body creak worse than a rusty old gate? You’re in good company, with more than 4.2 million Canadians living with jammed-up joints caused by arthritis and autoimmune conditions. But you can do more about it than just pop a painkiller: On March 4, you’re invited to take part in the Power of Movement, Canada’s largest yoga fundraiser for arthritis research, happening at various locations throughout the day including Creekside Community Recreation Centre.

Feel Better at the Women’s Wellness Show – March 4
It sucks to be sick, but vitamin popping isn’t the only way to keep illness at bay. A wealth of health-related tips await at the Women’s Wellness Show on March 4 at Sooke Harbour House (1528 Whiffen Spit Road, Sooke). Guys and gals alike can listen to a slate of speakers or browse booths showcasing the latest and greatest in health and wellness, along with jewelry, cosmetics and accessories. Tickets for the show, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., are $10 at the door.rgest yoga fundraiser for arthritis research, happening at various locations throughout the day including the Creekside Community Recreation Centre (1 Athletes Way, Vancouver).

Treat Yourself on International Women’s Day – March 8
March 8 is International Women’s Day, so men: If you have a lady in your life worth lauding, check out the pampering packages at Absolute Spa (various Lower Mainland locations). Our fave? The four-hour Absolute Woman package, which includes a signature massage, prescription facial and an organic mani and pedi. And guys, if you want to get in on the action, no problem; just choose one of the equally indulgent couples’ packages.

Lasso Some Fun at the Kamloops Cowboy Festival – March 8-11
Why is the Kamloops Cowboy Festival considered “the biggest and best festival of its kind in Canada?” Because this yearly yee-haw, running from March 8 to 11, runs the range from concerts and dinner theatre to a country singers’ showcase and seminars on ranch roping, guitar-picking and yodeling. So pull out your cowboy boots, slap on a Stetson and check out the fun at various locations, including the Kamloops Conference Centre.

Check out the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre – Anytime
You know those eternal life questions that have been boggling minds for millennia? You won’t find the answer to any of ’em at Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre (9811 Seaport Place, Sidney). But you will find answers to such quirky questions as: “Who has a tongue like a cheese grater?” and “Who eats with their feet?” It’s all part of the aquarium and education centre’s kid-friendly exhibition called Bite Me!, which highlights the weird and wacky way that sea animals eat.

Take in the Fire & Ice Show  – Until April 17
Whistler has gained a world-class reputation for pristine peaks and perfect powder. But fireworks and fire-spinners — who knew? And it’s all thanks to a free weekly Fire & Ice Show, where the incendiary action includes Whistler’s top talents jumping through flaming hoops to tunes spun by a live DJ. Catch it until April 17 on Sundays at 6:30 p.m. at Skiers Plaza. If you’re in the mood for even more action, head over to the Garibaldi Lift Co. afterwards for the notorious adults-only Afterburn Party.

Dine at Ulla Restaurant – Anytime
Just how good is Ulla Restaurant (509 Fisgard St, Victoria)? Here’s a clue: It was recently named one of Canada’s 10 best new restaurants by enRoute magazine. The secret to its success is a food philosophy that can be summed up by “local ingredients, classic flavours and modern techniques.” Plus a fresh, fun vibe and a wide-ranging menu — from light seafood dishes to hearty meats to exciting vegetarian dishes — don’t hurt either.

Originally published in TVW. For daily programming updates and on-screen Entertainment news, subscribe to the free TVW e-newsletters, or purchase a subscription to the weekly magazine.