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Community Calendar: Stanley Park Train celebrates 50 years

Stanley Park The Miniature Train in Stanley Park celebrates its 50th anniversary June 6 to 8 with $5 train rides. The weekend also offers an interactive CinemaZoo animal display, inflatable bouncy train, face painting, the B.C.
Stanley Park’s miniature train
Tony Hamaliuk, an engineer at Stanley Park’s miniature train, polishes up one of the engines for this weekends 50th anniversary celebration. Photo Dan Toulgoet

Stanley Park
The Miniature Train in Stanley Park celebrates its 50th anniversary June 6 to 8 with $5 train rides.

The weekend also offers an interactive CinemaZoo animal display, inflatable bouncy train, face painting, the B.C. Metis Federation Dancers, stilt walkers, displays courtesy of the Vancouver Aquarium, the Firefighters BBQ and display (Saturday only) and the Vancouver Public Library’s Story Bus (Sunday only). For more information, visit vancouver.ca.

Stanley Park also sees the return of the Chevron Summer Cinema Series, which offers free movies after dark on an inflatable, four-storey screen.

Ceperley Meadow between Second Beach Pool and the children’s playground will be home to the outdoor cinema every Tuesday night from July 8 to Sept. 2 with favourites such as The Lego Movie, Pretty in Pink, Footloose and The Princess Bride.

Moviegoers are asked to bring their own blankets and/or lawn chairs — and keep in mind these are family-friendly events so smoking and alcohol are prohibited. Guests are encouraged to walk, take transit or ride a bike to the shows. A bike valet service will be offered on site each night. It’s also advised to arrive early as 5,000 movie-lovers are expected at each screening. New this year is an opportunity to reserve guaranteed seating on one of 80 Adirondack chairs situated in a front-row VIP section. Partial proceeds from these special seats will be dedicated to the Vancouver

Firefighters Charitable Society. Start times are at dusk each Tuesday, but it’s best to check sunset times online for a more accurate indication of when a movie will start. The movies are, of course, weather dependent.

Riley Park
Enjoy a night at Nat Bailey Stadium for just $2 — with proceeds benefiting the Provincial Heart Centre at St. Paul’s Hospital.

The Strike Out Heart Disease campaign kicks off every year with the St. Paul’s Celebrity Softball Classic, a five-inning softball game featuring local celebrities, members of the Heart Centre and staff from sponsors Blake, Cassels and Graydon, and Deloitte.

The Lafarge children’s play area is free for all kids and the concessions will be open so you can grab a hotdog and cold drink. The action takes place June 11 starting at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, 4601 Ontario St. Tickets will be available at the stadium June 11 or through the box office beforehand at 604-872-5232. Gates open at 6 p.m.

Oakridge
The Vancouver Public Library’s Greenest City Series presents Let’s Learn About Honey Bees, Saturday June 21, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Beekeeper Derrick To will talk about honeybees, their importance to the world and what we can do to prevent their extinction.

The free talk takes place at the Oakridge Branch of the VPL, 191-650 West 41st Ave. For a complete listing of events, visit vpl.ca/events.

Champlain Heights
Kick off the summer with a fun fair for the entire family that includes amusement rides, entertainment, games, a cake walk, concession and clowns. The summer fair takes place June 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Champlain Heights Community Centre, 3350 Maquinna Dr.

Marpole
The annual Marpole Community Day celebrations take place June 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Marpole-Oakridge Community Centre, 990 West 59th Ave.

This year’s Marpole Community Day will feature free, family-friendly amusement rides, interactive games and activities, stage performances and entertainment for everyone. The Marpole-Oakridge Community Association and the park board host the festival. For more information, visit marpoleoakridge.org.

Various locations
The Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association’s 21st annual Parade of Renovated Homes is offering a record number of peek-a-boos for looky-loos.

If you have ever wanted to take a sneak peek inside a professionally renovated home, this is your chance. The popular Parade of Renovated Homes, which runs this Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will showcase a 22 professionally renovated properties across Metro Vancouver, including five in the city.

Check out a craftsman-style home completely renovated with a three-foot house lift, new top-floor addition off the rear with accessibility-designed elements inside and out for a mixed-ability family.

Participants can also see a renovation where, without lifting the home or disturbing the front yard, a 25-year old home was excavated below, transforming the crawl space into a complete one-bedroom basement suite.

The event, sponsored by FortisBC, is also an opportunity to meet accredited renovators who will be at various homes to offer advice and discuss their services.

Admission is by passport, available at each home for $10 per person, and can be used for entry to all locations. Children 17 and under are free.

Viewing time is limited to six hours so make sure to plan your personal parade before heading out. Visit gvhba.org/ParadeofRenovatedHomes for a list of participating homes.

sthomas@vancourier.com
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