Tag Archives: Mount Pleasant

The 14th Annual Hot Chocolate Festival January 13 to February 14

7 Jan

The Greater Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival kicks off January 13th and runs till February 14th in various locations around Metro Vancouver. For 2024, there are a total of 105 locations participating in the event which will offer some 162 different types of hot chocolate. Organizers have created a great virtual map so you can see all the spots participating as well as an alphabetical listing which sets out which locations are offering vegan, dairy free and gluten free options. In East Van, you’ll see a number of spots clustered in Mount Pleasant and in the Main Street/Riley Park area. In SE Vancouver, you will find a new participant Boketto Tea Bar located in River District which is a great little spot if you haven’t been. You will also find hot chocolate offerings in the Grandview Woodland area at To Live For Bakery & Cafe and Mah Milk Bar. Be sure to check out the map and some of the delish offerings and support these great local spots.

Historical Walking Tours In Mount Pleasant This Fall

23 Aug

Christine Hagemoen, historical research, writer and photographer, is leading some historical walking tours in Mount Pleasant this Fall. The tours titled Mount Pleasant Stories will feature two tours, one features Brewery Creek and the second Lower Mount Pleasant. You are invited to come walk, rain or shine, and learn about the history, the people and the land.    The tours run 2 to 2 ½ hours and start at 10:00 am. They are limited to smaller size, being 8 people. So if you are interested in taking the tour, best to register early. Cost is $20. To learn more, or to purchase your ticket(s), visit Vanalogue.

First Pick Handmade Holiday Market At The Heritage Hall December 10 & 11

8 Dec

First Pick Handmade is back at the Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street, on Saturday, December 10th and Sunday, December 11th with their Holiday Market.   First Pick Handmade’s Holiday Market will again feature items from a variety of makers that include non-binary, all sized-clothing and objects that are not mass produced.  Founder and creator, Janna Hurtzig, curates only high quality and sustainable products.  You can expect to find a wide range of products including jewellery by Irit Sorokin, ceramics by Oh Hello Leigh and Abder Atbi, paintings by Janine Breck Art, accessories by Winterluxe Recycled Cashmere and clothing by Serenity West and Street and Saddle and much more. Whether you are looking for something for your home, for yourself, or as a gift, there will be lots to choose from with all of this talent under one roof. Stop by and check it out between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm December 10th & 11th. Admission is $3.00 at the door or online.

Vancouver Farmers Markets Summer Season

5 May

VFMChardVancouver Farmers Markets is back for the summer season which means the return of the ever popular Trout Lake Farmers Market. This market which takes place in John Hendry Park is now under way every Saturday until October 29th from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. Riley Park Farmers Market continues every Saturday near Nat Bailey Stadium until October 29th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Another favourite is the Mount Pleasant Farmers Market which opens Sunday May 22nd and continues every Sunday until October 30th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We’ve set out below the markets taking place in East Van. To see a full listing of Vancouver Farmer Markets, visit eatlocal.org.


Trout Lake Famers Market
13th Ave & Lakewood Drive
Saturdays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
April 23, 2022 – October 29, 2022 

Riley Park Farmers Market
50 East 30th Avenue & Ontario Street
Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
April 23, 2022 – October 29, 2022  

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
8th Avenue & Guelph Street
Sundays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
May 22, 2022 – October 30, 2022

Main Street Farmers Market
Still Closed For Construction

Just Off Main – Free Outdoor Event August 14th

1 Aug

Just Off Main is an event happening Saturday, August 14th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and you guessed it, just off Main Street. This free outdoor event will be happening on various side streets up and down Main Street. Things available to see, eat or drink include beer, burgers and dance as well as live music and yes ballerinas. Hub Cycling will be on hand along with other community organizations. There will be activities for the kids along with ice cream and cotton candy. To learn more about this upcoming event and any specific locations you wish to check out, visit Mount Pleasant BIA on Instagram.

Looking For Something To Do? Murals In Mount Pleasant Await You Anytime

29 Dec

If you have a little extra time on your hands this week and are looking for something to do, we have an idea that’s free and outdoors. If you haven’t yet wandered the murals that are dotted around Mount Pleasant, we highly recommend it. The Vancouver Mural Festival may be over for 2020, but the amazing art is there for you to see anytime. Just bundle up, maybe grab a hot drink from a local business to keep warm while wandering. The local businesses will appreciate your support and you won’t be disappointed by the art. Here’s a sampling of what you will see, but the photos don’t do it justice. We recommend checking them out in person.

Vancouver Farmers Markets Kick Off Summer Season

1 May

VFMChardVancouver Farmers Markets bring back summer markets the first weekend of May.  Things will be a bit different in light of COVID-19. Having recently attended Riley Park Winter Farmers Market, my experience showed that vendors were well spaced out and counts were being kept on the number of people entering each area of the market. Granted some vendors had some spaced out lines, personally I prefer standing in a brief line outdoors vs. a long line indoors.

What’s new if you haven’t heard is vendors are now accepting online orders. Currently, you need to pick up your online order from each vendor, but Vancouver Farmers Markets are looking to implement a centralized pick up and delivery in the near future.    Our local farmers and producers need our support during this time and we invite you to keep them in mind when making your weekly grocery shop.  We’ve set out below the markets taking place in East Van. To see a full listing of Vancouver Farmer Markets, visit eatlocal.org.


Trout Lake Famers Market
13th Ave & Lakewood Drive
Saturdays 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
May 2, 2020 – October 24, 2020 

Riley Park Farmers Market
30th Avenue & Ontario Street
Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
May 2, 2020 – October 24, 2020 

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
8th Avenue & Guelph Street
Sundays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
May 24, 2020 – October 25, 2020

Main Street Farmers Market
1100 Station Street (Thornton Park)
Wednesdays 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
June 3, 2020 – October 7, 2020

History Walks Are Back This February and March Plus 2 New Ghost Tours

13 Feb

HistoryWalkGrainJames Johnstone is back again with his popular historical walking tours. Also returning with him for a couple of the history walks is Kati Ackermann. Kati is Vancouver’s own paranormal investigator and ghost whisperer.   Kati is the founder of Vancouver Spooks Paranormal and will be partnering with James for 2 tours. The first tour will be in Mount Pleasant on March 7th and the second in Strathcona on March 14th.  The route and content of these two Ghost Walks are the same as the regular Mount Pleasant and East End walking tours with the addition of Kati’s perspective which will be tuned into spirits along the way.   Note, the ghost walks are limited to 30 people and sell out quickly so if you are interested, we suggest reserving your spot. For more information or to register, visit History Walks In Vancouver.

February 22nd – East End Vancouver/Strathcona History Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $20

March 7th – Mount Pleasant Ghost Walk
(departs from NE corner of Yukon & 12th Avenue + ends at 7th Ave. &
Main Street 10:00 am) $30

March 14th – Strathcona Ghost Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $30

Photo Credit: James Johnstone

History Walks Are Back This August & September Plus 2 New Ghost Tours

22 Jul

EastEndWalkingTourJames

James Johnstone is back again with his popular historical walking tours. This time he has a couple extra tours with Kati Ackermann, Vancouver’s own paranormal investigator and ghost whisperer.   Kati is the founder of Vancouver Spooks Paranormal and will be partnering with James for 2 tours. The first one will be in Mount Pleasant on August 31st and the second in Strathcona on September 14th. The route and content of these two Ghost Walks are the same as the regular Mount Pleasant and East End walking tours with the addition of Kati’s perspective which will be tuned into spirits along the way.  We hear that Kati has been on James’s tours as a guest and she is looking forward to sharing what she sees and hears along the way.   Note, the ghost walks are limited to 30 people. If interested, best reserve your spot early. For more information or to register, visit History Walks In Vancouver.

August 10 – East End Vancouver/Strathcona History Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $20

August 24 –  East End Vancouver/Strathcona History Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $20

August 31 – Mount Pleasant Ghost Walk
(departs from NE corner of Yukon & 12th Avenue + ends at 7th Ave. &
Main Street 10:00 am) $30

September 15 – Strathcona Ghost Walk
(departs from 696 East Hastings at Heatley 10:00 am) $30

East Van Farmer Markets – Spring & Summer 2019

29 Apr

 

Spring is finally here which means lots of farmer markets around East Vancouver. If you’ve attended, you will know there’s always an amazing selection of fresh locally grown produce, handmade goods, artisans breads, locally made jams, cheese, free range and organic eggs and of course wineries, breweries as well as spirits.  Each market is unique and offers a little something different. Trout Lake hosted by Vancouver Farmers Market is the largest.  Mount Pleasant Farmers Market which is in Dude Chilling Park is a smaller market, but we love that it’s on a Sunday. Riley Park Farmers Market is next to one of the most beautiful community gardens we’ve seen and is now year round every Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The Italian Market at The Italian Cultural Centre we see is only being held once this summer on June 14th. This market features all things Italian including gourmet food items as well as the food trucks on hand.  The Main Street Farmers Market is a great afternoon market and perfect for those just leaving downtown for home, or a quick cycle from Mount Pleasant and the Olympic Village. We have set out below the dates when the markets begin and end for the Spring/Summer season. We encourage you to stop by one or all of these markets during the summer season and support local.

Trout Lake Farmers Market
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Every Saturday: May 4, 2019 – October 19, 2019
Location: Lakewood Drive & E 13th Avenue

Main Street Station Farmers Market
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Every Wednesday: June 5, 2019 – October 2, 2019
Location: 1100 Block Station Street along Thornton Park across from the VIA Rail Station and near the Main St Skytrain Station

Mount Pleasant Farmers Market
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Every Sunday:  May 26, 2019 – October 27, 2019
Location: Guelph Street between 7th & 8th Avenues (on the paved play area between Mt. Pleasant Elementary and Guelph Park/Dude Chilling Park)

Riley Park Farmers Market
10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Every Saturday: All Year Round
Location: 30th Avenue and Ontario Street

Italian Market
4:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Friday, June 14, 2019 (1 Day Only)
Location: Italian Cultural Centre – 3075 Slocan Street