Business as Usual

Like the athletes themselves, we have planned and prepared for the coming of these games. With free family Olympic fun events, cultural options, and our crafty ideas, we’ve got a plan. Because even when the Olympics are in town, we know that our own show still must go on.

So here’s what we’re doing to maintain as much ’business as usual’.

On the “Shore”
Maplewood Farm, a little piece of country in the midst of urban living is home to over 200 domestic animals and birds on a beautiful 5-acre setting, with lots of winter activities. Visit and pet the animals, feed the birds and rabbits (bring green veggies for the bunnies), or watch the cows being milked daily at 1:15 pm. The farm is extending their winter hours from February 9 – March 14 to include Mondays, and will be open daily from 10 am – 4 pm. 

East of Town
The Burnaby Village Museum, generally closed until Spring Break, will be open from 12–4 pm on weekends in February starting this week, and the week of March 6–14. Take part in ‘The Trek to Mont Blanc’, an Olympic-themed scavenger hunt throughout the 10-acre, 1920’s open-air museum, with trivia from the first Winter Olympics in 1924 (Chamonix, France). While not all of the amenities are open, there are lots of other things to do here like watch blacksmith demos, make crafts in the Tram Barn, visit the general store, grab lunch at the ice cream parlour, or enjoy unlimited rides on the historic carousel.

Within City Limits
Many fave Vancouver haunts have temporarily closed, including some community centres. Luckily, Collage Collage, a local children’s art studio in East Vancouver is offering regular programming (and crafts this week will focus on Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year). There is limited space available for the weekly winter workshops (at a pro-rated fee), and if the regular weekly drop-in hours do not work for your family, come any time during store hours to create your own art with the kids. Sign up for fun weekend events, such as Sock Monkey Making on Sunday, February 28.

So let the games begin. You’ve got a plan to keep your own show going at the same time.

Comments