For 25 years, the Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS) has worked to educate and engage the public in the ways that they can contribute to a healthy community, from salmon habitat restoration and environmental education, to community gardens and urban agriculture, and much more.
As part of that mission, the Society will be hosting its annual WaterWeeks series of events, in partnership with the Township of Langley, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 14. The festivities will begin with the BC Rivers Day Community Festival, a celebration of water and nature, and the biggest event of the three-week series, on Sept. 24.
“WaterWeeks has been going on in the Township of Langley, for over fifteen years,” says Nichole Marples, LEPS executive director. “It’s designed to give people of all ages an opportunity to appreciate our natural environment, our rivers, and how important it is to protect the environment in Langley.”
Entertainment for the whole family
The festival has a huge list of activities available to visitors: a free organic hotdog BBQ, interactive displays and activity booths including costume parades, electric cars, wildlife displays, birdhouse building, gold panning and more.
The Society is also bringing in some big-name talent for a free concert. “This year we have Bobs and LoLo, very well-known children’s entertainers,” says Marples. “That’ll be a big draw for families.”
Ride your bike, get valet treatment
If you’re hesitant about leaving the car at home, don’t be; ride your bike and you’ll get free valet parking courtesy of Better Environmentally Sound Transportation’s The Bicycle Valet. The Vancouver-based group provides an accessible and environmentally friendly way for attendees to ride their bike and not have to worry about finding a place to put it when they arrive.
What you need to know: The BC Rivers Day Community Festival takes place at the Derek Doubleday Arboretum (21200 block of the Fraser Highway) on Sept. 24; admission is free and all-ages, though registration is required. To register, call 604-532-3511 or email exec_director@leps.bc.ca. WaterWeeks continues from Sept. 30 to Oct. 14; visit online for a full calendar of events.
