CAPTION: South 91原创鈥檚 Scott Carley leaned up against one of two pumpkins he took to Krause Berry Farms & Estate Winery for the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off last year.
Determining who has the largest pumpkin in 91原创, in B.C., and possibly even the world, is on the books this weekend at Krause鈥檚.
BC鈥檚 giant pumpkin weigh off is being held this Saturday at Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery, 6179 248th St., with registration from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. weigh off starting at 11:30 and the winners announced at 3 p.m.
The cost is $20 per contestant, and more information is online at GiantPumpkinsBC.com/Events.
Art crawl in City
Downtown 91原创 businesses are hosting dozens of local visual and performing arts artists this weekend as part of what鈥檚 dubbed the Downtown 91原创 Art Crawl.
This event runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, from noon to 5 p.m. with exhibits and demonstrations inside the local stores and shops. Musicians will also be playing along the route, with a drum circle and a youth mural being painted in McBurney Lane, said organizer Rosemary Wallace.
Wetlands wonder
Metro Vancouver parks is hosting a tour of the wetlands this weekend.
Working in partnership with the 91原创 Environmental Partners Society, Metro is offering a guided tour of West Creek Wetlands, in the Glen Valley Regional Park on Sunday, Oct. 2, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Organizers suggest this free event be limited to people ages 14 and older, offering a view of a variety of plant and wildlife. Registration required at metrovancouveronline.org or call 604-432-6359.
Grape stomping time
Township 7 Vineyard & Winery is once again hosting its annual Grape stomp, and calling on people to form teams for one of those bucket or 鈥渂arrel鈥� list type experiences.
鈥淲e鈥檙e accepting a limited number of teams to #getstomped,鈥� said spokesperson Lori Pike-Raffan.
This is the seventh annual grape stomp, and it鈥檚 running both Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., but the Sunday event is already sold out. The cost is $21 per person.
鈥淵our team will need a skilled stomper to stand in the barrel and squish the juice out of the grapes using only their feet,鈥� Pike-Raffan explained.
The other team members work together to keep the juice flowing into the wine bottle, while gathering grapes to be stomped.
鈥淪o, get ready to kick off your shoes, roll up your pants, and crush some grapes,鈥� she said, noting prizes are given for top stomp and best costumet.
Info: township7.com, or email Wine@township7.com.
Ukes on loan
A new program, aimed at getting even more 91原创ites to take up the ukulele, kicks off at the 91原创 City library Friday.
While popular for years in 91原创, the uke is experiencing a wave of popularity elsewhere now, including the advent of Lower Mainland uke circles.
Well, from 2 to 3 p.m. on Sept. 30, the Fraser Valley Regional Library will host a special musical interlude with a 91原创 Ukulele Ensemble trio that is aimed at helping roll out a new Uke 鈥檔 Play program at FVRL libraries.
Starting in October, customers can check out the 50 soprano-sized ukes, free of charge, for a two or three-week period. Consider this event a preview.
Each uke for loan comes in a kit that includes a ukulele, a soft ukulele case, a digital tuner and a beginner ukulele book.
The ukulele, a small stringed instrument of Hawaiian origin, is currently experiencing a wave of popularity. It is small, portable, easy to learn and fun to play, said Heather Scoular, director of customer experience.
Ukulele circles are already popular at FVRL鈥檚 Tsawwassen and Port Coquitlam libraries.
These events encourage musical literacy, social inclusion, and the emotional rewards that come from creating music together.
By adding ukuleles to its collection, FVRL is taking its first step towards the Library of Things, a trend that sees public libraries offering musical instruments, tools, games, and other objects for loan, she said.
鈥淔VRL is extremely proud to provide our customers with new experiences and opportunities,鈥� Scoular added. 鈥淭here has never been a better time to visit your local FVRL library.鈥�
Uke 鈥檔 Play was born of a community partnership between FVRL and the Coquitlam Ukulele Tiny Instruments Enthusiasts Circle, or 鈥淐utie Circle.鈥�
It began when Cutie Circle founder Jen Chang approached staff at FVRL鈥檚 Terry Fox Library in Port Coquitlam with an idea for lending instruments through the library.
Chang has seen the life-transforming magic of the ukulele first-hand and believes wholeheartedly that 鈥淲here there鈥檚 a uke, there鈥檚 a way.鈥�
As a result, the Cutie Circle has donated a gift of 50 ukuleles to FVRL and will assist with instrument maintenance.
鈥淭his generous gift鈥� was made possible with the support of sponsors Empire Music, King鈥檚 Music, Ohana Music and Linda Thiessen, Scoular said.
The Uke 鈥榥 Play lending collection is available to FVRL cardholders at any of the 25 locations in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland.
Uke 鈥榥 Play launch events will be held at five FVRL locations.
路Tsawwassen Library: Friday, Sept. 30, 2 to 2:45 p.m.
路Chilliwack Library: Saturday, Oct. 1, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
路Terry Fox Library: Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. (DONE)
路City of 91原创 Library: Friday, Sept. 30, 2 to 3 p.m.
路Mission Library: Saturday, Oct. 1, 2 to 4 p.m.
