The action stunt spectacular Marvel Universe LIVE! will be debuting in Vancouver on June 18th and to ramp up excitement, a costume contest was held at Pacific Coliseum Plaza on Wednesday, June 10th, 2015. All the costumed Marvel fans were given a free ticket to the opening night performance as a thank you for participating.

Participants were judged in three categories - best hero, best villain, and best child costume. Winners received VIP tickets to the show and super cool Marvel swag.
 The kids were having a SUPER time.

Thor, Captain America, Winter Soldier, Loki, Deadpool, Spiderman, Venom and more showed up to the costume contest.











The performers who play Agent Maria Hill and Thor in Marvel Universe LIVE! were also present to sign autographs and take pictures.




I also had to opportunity to interview the performers! They were very excited about Marvel Universe LIVE! and encourage everyone to come out to watch them perform their super cool stunts!

Here's the video interview:

Marvel Universe LIVE! will debut in Victoria, playing June 11th – 14th at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, followed by the Vancouver performances at the Pacific Coliseum at the PNE from June 18th – 21st.

Friday, June 12, 2015

Indigo Granville Grand Opening Celebration
Friday, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 
2505 Granville Street, Vancouver
Member Exclusive Event Live music Samplings of select gourmet product Enter for the chance to WIN your Summer wish list

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Pacific Rim Kite Festival
Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Vanier Park
Come join the British Columbia Kitefliers Association for two days of kite flying at the 39th annual Pacific Rim Kite Festival! Watch individual and team kite demonstrations, Rokkaku kite battles, as sail boarders and sailboats pass offshore. Your child can build his or her own kite at the Children’s Kite Making Workshop.

Home Reno Show - The View on Lonsdale
Saturday, 10am - 4pm
2121 Lonsdale Avenue North Vancouver, BC V7M 2K6
Benefits abound for consumers and builders at the GVHBA Renovation Show. The show will host free educational seminars for consumers along with the hugely successful "Ask-A-Pro" Expo, where attendees can meet one-on-one with the builder/renovators to gather expert advice.

Meet the Makers Expo
Saturday, 11am to 3pm 
MakerLabs, 780 East Cordova, Vancouver
On June 13, 2015, the Strathcona Business Improvement Association (SBIA) is inviting the public to a “Meet the Makers Expo” to celebrate Strathcona's innovative businesses. The event will feature restaurants, breweries, cafes, locally made goods and the chance to meet the entrepreneurs behind them. Come out to indulge in local food, drinks, and homemade goods and services while learning more about the historic area of Strathcona.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Pacific Rim Kite Festival
Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Vanier Park
Come join the British Columbia Kitefliers Association for two days of kite flying at the 39th annual Pacific Rim Kite Festival! Watch individual and team kite demonstrations, Rokkaku kite battles, as sail boarders and sailboats pass offshore. Your child can build his or her own kite at the Children’s Kite Making Workshop.

Indigo Granville Book Lover Experience
Sunday, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
2505 Granville Street, Vancouver
Discover thousands more titles & get excellent recommendations from Granville’s book experts! 12:00 PM – Pastry demonstration and book signing with David Robertson, Chef and author of The Dirty Apron Cookbook 2:00 PM – Book signing with David Nunuk, photographer and author of Vancouver Light: Visions of a City Live jazz music

Italian Day on The Drive 
Sunday, 12 pm to 8 pm
Commercial Drive, from Venables St to Grandview Cut.
Food, displays and shopping to satisfy your craving for everything Italian including over 100 merchants and guest vendors, a line up of food trucks and carts, more than 20 restaurant patios and an array of things to see from Italian honey bees to classic cars and motorcycles.

Shana: The Wolf's Music
Sunday, 2:30 PM – 4:45 PM
VPL Central Branch, 350 West Georgia St. Vancouver V6B 6B1
In celebration of the upcoming National Aboriginal Day, the Vancouver Public Library presents a FREE screening of Shana: The Wolf's Music. The film tells the story of 12-year-old Shana from Merritt, B.C., who retreats from life after the death of her mother. With the support of a music teacher and the spirits of her ancestors, Shana is led through an amazing journey discovering her unique musical talents.

Pan Am Games Torch Relay
Sunday, 4pm - 8pm
Starting in Steveston, finishing at Richmond Olympic Oval
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games Torch Relay, presented by President’s Choice® and OLG, is coming to Richmond on Sunday, June 14. Richmond is one of five national stops outside of Ontario and the City is inviting everyone to its community celebration. Starting in Steveston and finishing at the Richmond Olympic Oval, the celebration will feature entertainment and the lighting of the cauldron. Free BBQ, games, face painting, playground, interactive sports and games.

The FIFA Women's World Cup, the largest live spectator sporting event in our country’s history is well under way and the city of Vancouver wants to help you celebrate! Located at Larwill Park, the free to enter, FIFA Fan Zone Vancouver is in an attempt to recreate the spirit of the Olympics and capture the spirit of soccer fans with matches held at the nearby BC Place. We will even be hosting the Final game!


The main area of the Fan Zone is covered with plenty of picnic tables for people to watch the game on the two big screens or special after-game musical performances that feature strong female artists.

Sponsors of the game have their own booths, like Coca Cola's Ultimate Goalie game.

 Coca Cola is also giving out free limited edition bottles of coke.

Take a picture of yourself defying gravity at Adidas booth.


You can enter a contest at Hyundai's booth as well as find some shade and seating.

The BC Sports Hall of Fame also as a booth.



There's opportunities for kids to play soccer outside.

 And also test your soccer skills.

Like trying to score a goal.

 Inside the FIFA Fan Experience structure, there are other interactive games to play.







Professional freestyle footballer and Latin American and European Champion Laura Biondo performs four times daily. She's amazing! The control she has on the football is astounding! You have to see her in action!



Other performers and stilt walkers periodically come out to entertain.

Last Saturday, June 6th was the opening of the FIFA Fan Zone Vancouver and drums and dancing marked the official start of the Fan Zone.

Shuéme, the snowy owl, is the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 Canada Mascot.

Some rising soccer players posed with previous Women's World Cup champions.


For those who are hungry, food and drinks are also available for purchase.




The Fan Zone will be open on the days matches are played at BC Place. The next one is on Thursday, June 11th. After that, it will be open on the following days: June 12, June 15, June 16, June 21, June 23, June 27, July 1, July 4, and the Final July 5.

Find more info on the Fan Zone and the entertainment schedule on the City of Vancouver site here.

The Richmond Night Market is now open and this year there's a few new food items I've seen floating around. The night market is pretty packed even with the $2.75 admission fee. This year's theme is LolliDuck's Pirate Adventure. Pretty much a mix of candy and pirates and ducks! The main attraction at this Richmond Night Market is the variety of food it offers.

5 New Foods to Try

1. BIG WHOLE FRIED FISH. It's big. I can't imagine eating one of these by yourself. Grab a friend or two or three!

2. Fish Sticks! Everyone likes things on sticks.

I was expecting something like Fish and Chips but the texture was not like that at all. It is a very light texture. More like fish balls or cubes (for hot pot) that have been cut thinly into a long strip and put on a stick. I tried the garlic one.

3. LED Cotton Candy. They weren't actually selling these when I was there. They said tomorrow.

 4. Bubble Pop. If you like your drink spewing vapour, this is what you'd get.

They use a big cup, add some dry ice and water then pop a smaller cup with your drink inside the bigger one.

5. Rotato. Ok, Rotato isn't new at all but what is is the Throne of Rotato they set up! Game of Thrones fans will appreciate the reference!

If you buy two Rotatos, you get to sit on the Throne of Rotato to take a picture.

There was actually another food item. These very tall ice creams. Nobody was purchasing one so I couldn't take a picture.

After eating, you may want to check out LolliDuck's Pirate ship! It's made of candy and sweets...