Events

The band Dr. Strangelove in a promo photo. Surrey-based singer Kelly Brock, among a growing number of others, wonders why dancing to live music isn’t allowed in B.C. right now. (Photo: drstrangeloveband.com)

‘Footloose’ in B.C.: Dancing ban irks live-event industry, those who want to bust a move

‘Events are getting cancelled (and) it’s too late to get events going for November, December,’ one DJ says

 

All special events must follow current COVID-10 restrictions and health protocols. (blue2finger/Pixabay)

Application for special event liquor permits gets easier amid COVID-19 reopening

Effective Sept.21, all special event permit applicants must use new online portal

 

Kids take a spin on a midway ride on Saturday, Sept. 11 at Hope Brigade Days. The fair continues on Sept. 12. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Day three of Hope Brigade Days filled with more family fun

Motor sports, midway rides, food trucks and music on tap

 

Entertainment aplenty at the Brigade Days parade back in 2018. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)

Day two of Hope Brigade Days includes Hope Hustle and Grand Parade

Special Indigenous carving event takes place Saturday only in park

Entertainment aplenty at the Brigade Days parade back in 2018. (Emelie Peacock/Hope Standard)
Charlie Frie stands on his bass while performing alongside Appaloosa band mate Jake Stolz. The group is coming to Hope for the 2021 Brigade Days, Sept. 10-12. (Tobias Frederiksen/Black Press file)

Hope’s Brigade Days offers up three days of entertainment starting today

Music, food trucks, midway and more in Hope’s Sixth Avenue Park

Charlie Frie stands on his bass while performing alongside Appaloosa band mate Jake Stolz. The group is coming to Hope for the 2021 Brigade Days, Sept. 10-12. (Tobias Frederiksen/Black Press file)
Natasha Koifman, the founder of the public relations firm NKPR, poses for a photograph in the backyard of her home in Toronto, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. When Sept. 11 comes, Koifman’s backyard will be awash with chatter and music as up to 100 guests gather for an elegant dinner meant to raise funds for Haitians to access education. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin

Return of events pushes hosts to address vaccination, COVID tests and masks

Different events are deciding on different pandemic measures

Natasha Koifman, the founder of the public relations firm NKPR, poses for a photograph in the backyard of her home in Toronto, on Thursday, August 19, 2021. When Sept. 11 comes, Koifman’s backyard will be awash with chatter and music as up to 100 guests gather for an elegant dinner meant to raise funds for Haitians to access education. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin
Charlie Frie stands on his bass while performing alongside Appaloosa band mate Jake Stolz. The group is coming to Hope for the 2021 Brigade Days, Sept. 10-12. (Tobias Frederiksen/Black Press file)

Hope’s Brigade Days is back, and needs your help

Weekend will include rides, live music, motorsports, parade and more

Charlie Frie stands on his bass while performing alongside Appaloosa band mate Jake Stolz. The group is coming to Hope for the 2021 Brigade Days, Sept. 10-12. (Tobias Frederiksen/Black Press file)
Metro Stock Creative

New slo-pitch tournament to support Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation’s work

Health Care Heroes Slo-Pitch Tournament planned for Abbotsford in September

Metro Stock Creative
Ryan Villiers is in town carving with his chainsaw and helping to promote this year’s Chainsaw Carving Championship, which is moving ahead. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)

Hope’s biannual chainsaw carving competition moving ahead

With a controllable outdoor venue, popular event is in planning stages

Ryan Villiers is in town carving with his chainsaw and helping to promote this year’s Chainsaw Carving Championship, which is moving ahead. (Jessica Peters/ Hope Standard)
The Seattle Cossacks are a popular portion of the Hope Brigade Days parade. Some form of a community parade may still take place, say organizers. (Standard file photo)

Hope’s Brigade Days once again hit by pandemic concerns

Main event cancelled, but there is a glimmer of hope some events could happen

The Seattle Cossacks are a popular portion of the Hope Brigade Days parade. Some form of a community parade may still take place, say organizers. (Standard file photo)
FILE – The Phillips Backyard Weekender music festival drew large crowds to downtown Victoria in July 2017. (Facebook )

Large events ‘not likely’ to happen in B.C. this year, even as vaccine rollout speeds up: Henry

Smaller, distanced events could happen outdoors

FILE – The Phillips Backyard Weekender music festival drew large crowds to downtown Victoria in July 2017. (Facebook )
Canadian driver Paul Tracy pulls out of the pits during the morning session at the Molson Indy in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, July 26, 2003 (CP/Richard Lam)

Vancouver one step closer to hosting Formula E electric car race

The 2022 Vancouver E-Prix would be part of a three-day event focused on climate and sustainability

Canadian driver Paul Tracy pulls out of the pits during the morning session at the Molson Indy in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, July 26, 2003 (CP/Richard Lam)
Canadian driver Paul Tracy pulls out of the pits during the morning session at the Molson Indy in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, July 26, 2003 (CP/Richard Lam)

Vancouver is considering hosting a Formula E race using electric cars

The race would be part of a three-day event focused on climate and sustainability

Canadian driver Paul Tracy pulls out of the pits during the morning session at the Molson Indy in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, July 26, 2003 (CP/Richard Lam)
The window of a wedding dress store with mannequins wearing face masks on Thursday, April 23, 2020. The store is closed because of COVID-19 lockdown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Darko Bandic

Delay the date: How the COVID-19 pandemic may alter weddings for years to come

Some couples might shift towards smaller soirees even after the pandemic lifts, says planner

The window of a wedding dress store with mannequins wearing face masks on Thursday, April 23, 2020. The store is closed because of COVID-19 lockdown. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Darko Bandic
The West Coast Women’s Show is normally held every October at Tradex in Abbotsford. This year’s event will be an Online Pop-Up from Nov. 13 to 15. (Abbotsford News file photo)

West Coast Women’s Show in Abbotsford goes virtual for 2020

Online Pop-Up shopping from Nov. 13 to 15 replaces annual event at Tradex

The West Coast Women’s Show is normally held every October at Tradex in Abbotsford. This year’s event will be an Online Pop-Up from Nov. 13 to 15. (Abbotsford News file photo)
Charlie Frie stands on his bass while performing alongside Appaloosa band mate Jake Stolz as the band made sure the crowd was entertained, at a concert in Vernon in 2018. (Tobias Frederiksen/Vernon Morning Star file)

Chilliwack Fair kicks off tonight with local talent

Todd Richard and Appaloosa to hit the stage for drive-in concert at fairgrounds

Charlie Frie stands on his bass while performing alongside Appaloosa band mate Jake Stolz as the band made sure the crowd was entertained, at a concert in Vernon in 2018. (Tobias Frederiksen/Vernon Morning Star file)
A bee approaches another on a sunflower during the second annual Chilliwack Sunflower Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)

Public will get chance to walk among the sunflowers in Chilliwack

Popular flower festival moving ahead with opening plans, and reduced capacity due to COVID-19

A bee approaches another on a sunflower during the second annual Chilliwack Sunflower Festival on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. (Jenna Hauck/ Progress file)
Ken James, left, teach some Brigade Days participants how to ‘peel’ a banana during the 36th annual event 2004. James was an ideas man say his friends and Brigade Days veterans, and several of these ideas revolved around bananas. Hope Standard archives

Hope in History special: Remembering the glory of Brigade Days past

From the Spuzzum tiger, to Keystone Cops to throwing axes, Hope’s main event kept things interesting

Ken James, left, teach some Brigade Days participants how to ‘peel’ a banana during the 36th annual event 2004. James was an ideas man say his friends and Brigade Days veterans, and several of these ideas revolved around bananas. Hope Standard archives
Health experts are warning people to stay away from buffet-style meals as they can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. (Pixabay)

Could the COVID-19 pandemic mean the end of the traditional buffet?

Experts are asking events and restaurants to stay away from buffet-style meals

Health experts are warning people to stay away from buffet-style meals as they can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. (Pixabay)
Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are all part of the beauty at the Chilliwack Tulip Festival. The 2020 season of tulip festivals in Abbotsford and Chilliwack has been cancelled due to limits on large gatherings for COVID-19. (Submitted photo)

Fraser Valley’s tulips fields off limits to visitors due to COVID-19

Abbotsford and Chilliwack tulip farmers have announced their festival season won’t go ahead

Tulips, daffodils and hyacinths are all part of the beauty at the Chilliwack Tulip Festival. The 2020 season of tulip festivals in Abbotsford and Chilliwack has been cancelled due to limits on large gatherings for COVID-19. (Submitted photo)