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Vancouver Adventures: Our Picks for July 16-22

This week: Get fancy for the horse races, feast on barbecue, swing dance to live music + more

By Amy Watkins /

Credit: BC Hop Co

BeerBQ – Saturday, July 16

Have a hoppy day out in Abbotsford at BeerBQ, a celebration of the region’s best BBQ pitmasters and B.C. craft brewmasters. Set against blooming hop fields, the chefs and beermakers will be teaming up to create perfect pairings of barbecue food and cool beer for visitors to judge.

1 p.m. to 5 p.m., tickets from $27.50 (will not be available for purchase at the event)
Kinloch Farms 1893 Cole Road, Abbotsford



Credit: Facebook/DeightonCup

Deighton Cup – Saturday, July 16

Dust off your fanciest hat for a day at the horse races. The most stylish event of the summer comes to Hastings Racetrack this weekend with the added attraction of the rooftop Cocktail Jockey Mixology Competition, which celebrates bourbon beverages in a heated contest to find the coolest cocktail.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m., tickets from $75
Hastings Racetrack, 188 North Renfrew Street



Credit: Facebook/EliteCanadianChampionshipWrestling

ECCW Wrestling Ballroom Brawl 6 – Saturday, July 16

Elite Canadian Championship Wrestling fans take to the Commodore Ballroom for Sid Sylum’s no-holds-barred retirement match (win or lose) against Bishop with The Natural. Reigning champion El Phantasmo will be fighting international wrestling star “The Machine” Brian Cage for some added drama on the dancefloor.

Doors open at 7 p.m.; show starts at 8 p.m.
Tickets $20, Commodore Ballroom, 19+



Credit: Facebook/ElCartelFoodTruck

Taco Fest 2016 – Saturday, July 16

Fancy a ring-of-fire taco-eating contest? Check out Burnaby’s Taco Fest for a special competitive eating challenge and a mind-boggling array of favourite fried foods. Twenty of Vancouver’s most taco-friendly rock bands will be playing throughout the day. Take a non-perishable donation for the Vancouver Food Bank (or make on online donation on the ticket site) to help out others while you munch on your Mexican taco treats.

12 p.m. to 10 p.m., advance tickets for $15 (or $20 at the gate)
Swangard Stadium, 3883 Imperial Street, Burnaby



Credit: Facebook/DancingInTheStreets

Dancing in the Street – Sunday, July 17

Get in the swing of things with two free beginner dance lessons from the talented team at Rhythm City Productions, followed by freestyle swing dancing and live music from Van Django. Lesson one takes place from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and lesson two is set for 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. with social dancing in between.

1 p.m. to 4 p.m., free admission
Turntable Plaza, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver



Credit: TELUS World of Science

Collaboration: Microbiology and Fine Art Stone Lithography – Tuesday, July 19

Art meets biology at Science World with the opening of their latest exhibition entitled ‘Collaboration: Microbiology and Fine Art Stone Lithography’. The collection of stone lithographs on show are recognizable to a microbiologist as having a fungal motif, but are stylized so that they can’t be identified as any particular species. Light refreshments will be served during the evening, which is held in honour of Tim Kelly, the mastermind behind the project.

6.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m., free admission
TELUS World of Science, 1455 Quebec Street



Credit: Facebook/NammosVan

Fraserhood Tasting Plates – Wednesday, July 20

Fraserhood is quickly becoming a culinary destination in the city and Tasting Plates is a chance to sample some of the neighbourhood’s tastiest offerings. Try New York style pizza at Straight Outta Brooklyn, Greek tapas at Nammos Estiatorio, healthy drinks at Commodity Juicery, gluten-free goodies at CHOMP vegan eatery, baked treats at Fairy Cakes and a sweet ending at Main Street Honey Shoppe.

6 p.m. to 10 p.m, tickets $55 per person (must be purchased online in advance)
Registration takes place at Main Street Honey Shoppe, 4125 Main Street



Credit: The Dynamics 

Deep Cove Concerts – Friday, July 22 to Friday, August 5

Friday evenings see Deep Cove’s scenic Panorama Park transformed into an outdoor concert venue like no other. Go early to stake out your spot for the evening and relax with a picnic on the grass. This Friday, Mostly Marley will be bringing a reggae sound to Deep Cove, followed by good old classic Motown by The Dynamics on July 15, and the jazz/blues tones of Cayla Brooke on August 5.

7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Panorama Park, North Vancouver



Credit: Port Moody RibFest

Port Moody RibFest – Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24

Ribs, ribs, ribs! Celebrate all things delicious with three-days of feasting at the Rotary Club of Port Moody’s annual RibFest. In addition to barbecued pork ribs, there will also be gluten-free options, beef ribs, corn on the cob or fish and chips – plus live music for everyone to enjoy in between mouthfuls of meat.

11 a.m. to 9 p.m., free admission
Rocky Point Park, 2800 Murray Street, Port Moody



Credit: Vancouver Acro Festival 

Vancouver Acro Festival – Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 24

Get (legally) high at Vancouver’s first Acro Festival for three days of acro yoga, handstands, slacklining and hooping. Take part in workshops that begin with the fundamentals of acrobatic practices and include more intensive classes to build up your air-based skills over the weekend.

12 p.m. to 5 p.m., single day tickets for $25 ($90 day pass, $160 weekend, $200 full pass)
Trout Lake Park, Vancouver