Another summer weekend is just around the corner and, once again, there will be no excuse for sitting at home, complaining that you’re bored. Even if you’re broke.
Thanks to Metro Vancouver, the local BIA and Langley’s own Shakespeare theatre company, there will be an abundance of ways to entertain the whole family this weekend — at little to no cost.
Kids can learn to fish on the Fraser or take a bike tour at Derby Reach Park, create an original work of art at McBurney Plaza, participate in a guided gaze at the stars in Campbell Valley Park and cap it all off with some live theatre.
Tomorrow is opening night for Bard in the Valley’s annual summer run on the Spirit Square stage at Douglas Park, with Love’s Labour’s Lost.
This is one of those summer traditions we look forward to all year long, and the culmination of months of hard work for cast and crew alike. And it truly is a labour of love, because their only payment comes in the form of your applause. (Though you can always throw a few bucks their way as a donation, to help them pay a few bills). Shows start at 7 p.m. each Thursday to Sunday, for the next two weekends.
On Saturday, Art in the Plaza will go from noon to 3 p.m. at McBurney Square. It offers kids a chance to get messy and creative — two things that seem to go hand in hand.
These are all great events, which take time, energy and money to put on each year. But they don’t amount to much without the crowds to enjoy them.
We’ve been to a number of events this summer, and in some cases, the attendance has been a bit disappointing, to put it mildly. It’s a concern, because there’s a very real chance that some terrific activities will be downsized — or even fold — if people don’t support them.
Lack of participation was one of the reasons the annual Jazz festival in Douglas Park blew its last note in 2011. Slumping attendance also helped put the brakes on the Community Days parade this year.
Anyone who’s been out to a show that has drawn a big crowd knows that’s half the fun. So pick an activity or two and make a plan to get out and participate.
The work’s been done — all you have to do is show up.