by Michelle Sproule | The main objective of this website is to scout out and promote the things that make Vancouver such a sweet place to be. We do this with an emphasis on the city’s independent spirit to foster a sense of connectedness within and between our communities, and to introduce our readers to the people who grow and cook our food, play the raddest tunes in our better venues, create our most interesting art, and design everything from what we wear to the spaces we inhabit. The Scout List is our carefully considered, first rate agenda of super awesome things that we’re either doing, wishing that we could do, or conspiring to do this week. To submit an event for consideration, email events [at] scoutmagazine.ca You can also check it out in the Globe & Mail, from our calendar to theirs…and yours!

CANADA DAY | Cruise around Granville Island, head out to White Rock to build a sandcastle, chill out with some live music in Crab Park or save up your energy until the evening and join the crowds for the fireworks at Canada Place. It’s a busy day. Visit pretty much any park, beach, or community hub and you’ll find a celebration going on. Traffic is going to be thick and temperatures will be high so if you’re going out and about, make sure you take water and your most agreeable Canadian disposition.
Wed, July 1 | All Day | Everywhere | Free

EXPLORE | The Steveston Salmon Festival goes down Wednesday. This is the 70th year that the festival will hit the docks and it’s a fantastic excuse to explore the quaint fishing village. There’ll be a pancake breakfast, a parade, a Japanese Cultural show, a craft fair, plenty of live music, and the biggest, best, most wonderful salmon BBQ you have ever seen ($15 per plate). It’s estimated that somewhere in the neighbourhood of 70,000 people will show up, so take mode of transportation and parking into consideration (what a great day for a bike trip).
Wed, July 1 | All Day | Steveston | DETAILS

RIBFEST BBQ | The fellas from Re-Up BBQ are joining forces with Chinatown’s Mamie Taylor’s to host the 6th annual Ribfest, an industry-centric BBQ competition pitting excellent ribs against outstanding ribs in a lip-smacking, finger-looking frenzy of meaty Canada Day indulgence. We’ll see you there!
Wed, July 1 | 4pm to 7pm | Mamie Taylor’s in Chinatown | DETAILS

FORAGE | From dandelions and lemon balm to blackberries and yarrow, there are plants growing in parks, alleyways, forests and roundabouts around Vancouver that are absolutely safe to gather and eat. Take a crash course on these wild edibles this Thursday on a mid-summer evening stroll with indigenous Metis herbalist Lori Snyder. Not only will Snyder share her knowledge of what is safe to pick and when it’s best to pick it, she’ll also fill you in on how to prepare your foraged edibles and detail what they’ll do for you once you’ve gobbled them up.
Thu, July 2 | 6:30-8:30pm | Homesteader’s Emporium (649 East Hastings) | $25 | DETAILS

ICE CREAM | Thursday night is when Brown Paper Packages Ice Cream takes over Pazzo Chow deli for an evening of sundaes, ice cream floats, sandwiches and classic scoops. Last week we demolished an Earl Grey soda and vanilla bean ice cream float topped with fresh local raspberries and a sundae of milk chocolate cardamom ice cream, chewy brownie, candied ginger, and fudge sauce – not to mention a delicious White Turtle ice cream sandwich. So good!
Thurs, July 2 | 7-9pm | Pazzo Chow (620 Quebec St) | DETAILS

HISTORY | Get to know a little more about your city on a free Vancouver Heritage Foundation walking tour this Friday. Using “Places That Matter” plaques as points of reference, VHF guide Samuel Mickelson will hop participants from one location to the next touching on clues and signs of trade, immigration, and gentrification trends as they are seen in buildings and landmarks in the West Hastings area. All tours are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t be late!
Fri, July 3 | 12pm (Walk 12:15-1pm) | Meet at Hornby St. at W. Hastings St | Free | DETAILS

COMMUNITY | The East Van Summer Jam happens in Strathcana Park this Saturday. Expect an outdoor event packed with lots of music (performances scheduled throughout the day include the The Boom Booms, Kinnie Starr, Mayer Hawthorne, Kelela and Ab-Soul), skating, soccer, food, a beer garden, and an east side vibe.
Sat, July 4 | noon-9:30pm | Strathcona Park | $55 | DETAILS

ENVIRONMENT | Here’s a fine way to rack up some karma AND enjoy beautiful weather, live music, and the outdoors all at once: the first annual Clean Up the Oceans Concert takes place this Saturday in Stanley Park. Sit back, listen to some music (summertime outdoor concerts are pretty great), and know that the dough that you’ve forked over for this rad experience is going to raise awareness about plastic pollution and support the technologies that could help reverse some of the damage done thus far.
Sat, July 4 | 12-8 pm | Prospect Point Picnic Site, Stanley Park | DETAILS

SHOW BOAT | The Kits Show Boat is in its 80th season this summer. Take a seat on the bleachers and enjoy the view as you listen to a variety of musical acts. This Friday (July 3) it’s a double win with Little Mountain Brass Band followed by Josie de Baat’s Polynesian Dancers (amazing). And then on Saturday, the ‘atmospheric indie funk rock’ band Pentons Alley get busy. Performances happen every Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat nights.
Now until Aug 15 | 7pm | 2300 Cornwall at Kitsilano Beach | DETAILS

PICNIC | If you’re an American in the city and feeling homesick this weekend, join a bunch of other expats for a potluck picnic and hangout at New Brighton Park this Saturday. It’s likely that there will be apple pie, hot dogs, and – as this event is hosted by Democrats Abroad Vancouver – probably some spirited talk about the 2016 presidential election. Fill the void of not being on US soil for Independence Day and make some new friends!
Jul 4 | 5pm | New Brighton Park (3201 New Brighton Road) | Free | DETAILS

CHEER | FIFA Women’s World Cup goes to the final round on Sunday. As always, Commercial Drive will hook you up with the best possible situation outside the stadium. Hit one of the many cafes with wall-mounted TV’s and dig in. If you’re looking for something cooler with a serious screen, keep walking up The Drive and catch the game from an air-conditioned seat at The Rio Theatre.
Sun, July 5 | 4pm | Various locations and prices 

EAT LOCAL | We are now up and running with a full compliment of neighbourhood farmers markets! Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables, breads, preserves, cheeses – pretty much everything – made and grown by people who honestly and deeply care. Support farmers and artisan makers. Eat well, folks, and rejoice!
Wednesday | 2pm – 6pm | Main St Station (1100 Station St) | DETAILS
Thursday | 2pm – 6pm | Yaletown (1200 Mainland) | DETAILS
Saturday | 9am – 2pm | Trout Lake (Lakewood Drive @ 13th) | DETAILS
Saturday | 9am – 2pm | West End (1100 Comox St) | DETAILS
Saturday | 10am – 2pm | Kerrisdale (5500 East Boulevard) | DETAILS
Saturday | 9am-1pm | UBC Farm (3461 Ross Drive) | DETAILS
Saturday | 9-2pm | Burnaby City Hall (4949 Canada Way) | DETAILS
Saturday | 10am-3pm | Lonsdale Quay (123 Carrie Cates Court, N Van) | DETAILS
Sunday | 10am-2pm | Kitsilano (10th & Larch) | DETAILS
Sunday | 10am – 2pm | Mt. Pleasant (2300 Guelph St) | DETAILS
Sunday | 11am-3pm | Ambleside (1500 Block Bellevue, West Van (between 15th & 16th) | DETAILS

To submit an event for consideration, email events [at] scoutmagazine.ca 

Michelle Sproule grew up in Kitsilano and attended University in Australia and the University of Victoria before receiving her graduate degree in Library Sciences from The University of Toronto. She lives in beautiful Strathcona and enjoys wandering aimlessly through the city’s streets with her best friend – a beat up, sticky, grimy (but faithful) camera.

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