Vancouver

Eating local--or, at least, as local as possible--has become an aspiration for more and more Vancouverites. We understand that "locavore" eating helps both the environment (keeping our carbon footprint low) and our local growers and farmers; we also know how much better fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats taste compared to those shipped from afar.

Which is where Vancouver Farmer's Markets come in. Scattered throughout Vancouver--there are now six major farmer's markets in the city, with a new Kerrisdale Farmer's Market debuting this July--Vancouver Farmer's Markets are the perfect spots for buying fresh, organic local food, as well as artisan crafts.

Vancouver Farmer's Markets typically run one day a week, from mid-May through early October. The Trout Lake and Kitsilano Farmers' Markets have already "opened" for the summer season (on May 12 and May 20, respectively), with markets in the West End, Main Street and Oak Street starting in early June. Find a complete list of 2012 farmer's markets dates/times/locations here: Vancouver Farmer's Markets 2012.

_{Photo by Dana Lynch}

The long Victoria Day weekend marks the start of camping season in Vancouver (which runs from mid-May through September), and there are lots of options for outdoor fun to choose from, from family-friendly trips to Alice Lake or Golden Ears Provincial Park to backcountry camping for serious outdoorspeople.

Plan your Vancouver camping trip with my Guide to Camping in Vancouver: Top Spots for Camping Near Vancouver, BC. The Guide includes:

• Top Provincial Parks for Camping
• Top Spots for Backcountry & Wilderness Camping
• Vancouver RV Parks & Campgrounds
• Tips for planning your Vancouver camping trip.

Please share your own picks for top camping spots near Vancouver in the comments--I'd love to hear from you!

_{Image Courtesy of Tourism BC/JF Bergeron}

For more ideas on things to do, check out Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver for Victoria Day Weekend 2012.

• Greater Vancouver Summer Night Markets
  All three Greater Vancouver night markets are open this weekend: the newly re-opened Richmond Night Market, the Summer Night Market and the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market. They're all open Friday - Sunday and holiday Mondays; admission is free.

• 66th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
  Head out to Cloverdale for Ladies Barrel Racing, top rodeo performances, saloons, entertainment, and more. Runs Friday, May 18 - Monday, May 21.

• Playland Amusement Park at the PNE
  Vancouver's own Playland is open for weekends and holidays in May, which means you can enjoy rides on the Wooden Roller Coaster and AtmosFEAR plus funnel cakes and arcade games this long weekend. It's the perfect choice for a staycation!

Victoria Day (Monday, May 21) and the long May weekend are this weekend--so take advantage of the extra day to celebrate the start of summer season in Vancouver!

Top 10 Things to Do in Vancouver for Victoria Day Weekend 2012

1. Grab dim sum and waffles at a summer night market: Summer Night Market in Richmond, Richmond Night Market & Vancouver Chinatown Night Market
2. Sample local beers: Vancouver Craft Beer Week 2012
3. Watch bull riders and Ladies Barrel Racing at the  66th Annual Cloverdale Rodeo & Country Fair
4. Have fun for FREE: Top 10 Free Things to Do in Vancouver
5. Shop! Top 10 Vancouver Shopping Destinations
6. Take the kids to Vancouver's Best Attractions for Kids
7. Spend the day in Stanley Park: Stanley Park Top 10
8. Explore B.C. & Washington State: Best Vancouver Day Trips & Weekend Getaways
9. Run naked on Wreck Beach
10. Be a tourist in your own town: Top 10 Vancouver Attractions

Bonus: If it rains: Top 10 Rainy Day & Indoor Activities in Vancouver

_{Image Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver}

There's a lot happening this weekend, including Mother's Day (on Sunday, May 13), so be prepared to be busy!

• Summer Night Market in Richmond
  The reigning Richmond night market for the past four years gets some competition this summer when the "original" Richmond Night Market re-opens on May 18. At least the Summer Night Market (the one at 12631 Vulcan Way, by Ikea) will get a head start by opening early: it starts its summer 2012 season this Friday. Enjoy the 300 vendors, tons of food, and live entertainment. Runs Friday - Sunday (and holidays), May 11 - September 16.

• EPIC: The Vancouver Sustainable Living Expo
  This sustainable living expo is Vancouver's largest green consumer show and eco-marketplace, where you can shop at 300 earth-friendly retailers, sample local artisan food, hear expert speakers, test-drive Lexus hybrids, meet Miss World Canada contestants, and more! Runs Friday, May 11 - Sunday, May 13.

• Mother's Day Vancouver 2012
  There are loads of options for celebrating Mom in Vancouver this Mother's Day, from free family fun to extravagant pampering to everything in between. Learn more here. Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13.

When I went to my first-ever night market on Vulcan Way back in 2005, it was the Richmond Night Market. I loved everything about it, from the incredible food--squid, pork sui mai, hurricane potatoes and sno-cones!--to the night bazaar atmosphere to the crowds to browsing the retailers. It became a summer tradition for me and my family just as it has for thousands of Vancouverites and Lower Mainlanders.

Which is why it was (momentarily) devastating when, back in May 2008, the "original" Richmond Night Market (operated by Target Event Production) was canceled for the first time since its opening in 2000, due to a lease dispute over the Vulcan Way location. But before we could mourn the loss of the Richmond Night Market, a new night market popped up in its (exact) place: the Summer Night Market (operated by Lions Communications Inc.). The transition between the two markets couldn't have been more seamless; having been to both, I couldn't tell the difference, and most visitors must have agreed, since the Summer Night Market became just as big a hit as its predecessor, with a high of 27,000 visitors in one night in 2011!

Which is why this summer's Battle of the Richmond Night Markets will be so interesting to watch. For the first time, there will be two huge night markets competing in Richmond: the original Richmond Night Market (re)opens May 18 at 8351 River Rd. (near the River Rock Casino) while the Summer Night Market opens May 11 at 12631 Vulcan Way (near Ikea).

Given how many people go to the Summer Night Market (10,000 - 20,000 a day), it certainly seems like there's enough business/interest to share between two competing night markets....But I wonder if that's how it will play out (i.e., both markets sharing the crowds previously drawn by one), or if, by September, there will be a clear winner in the Battle of the Richmond Night Markets 2012. (I have to admit that my own curiosity--plus the carnival rides--makes me want to check out the re-opened Richmond Night Market first.)

What do you think of this night market "battle?" Will you visit both markets or just one this summer? Do you think they'll both survive, or will one be the clear winner by the end of the season? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

_{Image Courtesy of Summer Night Market/Lions Communications Inc.}

Vancouver's local beer culture is growing in leaps and bounds, and the 3rd annual Vancouver Craft Beer Week celebrates that culture with "9 Headliner events, 6 Opening Acts, 36 Neighbourhood Gigs, and 12+ week-long specials dedicated to all things craft beer."

VCBW 2012 events include the VCBW Opening Night Overture at the Roundhouse Community Centre, beer, BBQ and rock-and-roll at the Hop-Headbanger's Ball at Commercial Drive's Woodland Smokehouse, the Biercraft Belgian Showcase, and the 1st Annual Battle of the Bartender Beer Cocktail Competition. Check the site for a complete list of VCBW events.

VCBW also brings special beer tasting and beer-and-food-pairings to area restaurants, including the Belgian Chambar and the SoMa hotspot Cascade Room. More info on VCBW specials here.

Ticketed events sell out fast, so don't wait if you want in on the action!

Vancouver Craft Beer Week 2012 runs from May 18 - 26.

Check out the Saturday showcase performance for the Vancouver International Burlesque Festival to see Seattle's famous Miss Indigo Blue perform live--she's amazing!

• Vancouver International Burlesque Festival
  The 7th Annual Vancouver International Burlesque Festival is a three-day celebration of burlesque, and includes local and international performers, workshops, parties, and more. Showcase performances run Friday, May 4 - Saturday, May 5.

• DOXA Documentary Film Festival 2012
  DOXA is a week-long annual film festival dedicated to bringing the best in independent and Canadian documentaries to Vancouver. Runs Friday, May 4 - Sunday, May 13.

• B.C. Spot Prawn Festival 2012
  B.C. spot prawn season kicks off with this annual free festival, which includes entertainment and kids' activities, celebrity chef cooking demos, and the $12-per-person Spot Prawn Boil. Happens Saturday, May 5.

• Got Craft?
  Vancouver's largest indie craft fair features over 55 vendors of local and handmade crafts, including clothing, jewelry, children's accessories, and bath and body products. Happens Sunday, May 6.

_{Image Courtesy of The Chefs' Table Society / B.C. Spot Prawn Festival}

Afternoon Tea has been enjoying a renaissance in Vancouver over the last several years. Modeled on the classic European afternoon teas, the Top Spots for Afternoon Tea in Vancouver add their own unique, regional flavour to this age-old tradition, making the experience elegant and hip at the same time.

With prices that range from $14 - $48 per person and settings that range from upscale elegance to basics-with-a-great-view, there's great diversity in Vancouver's top Afternoon Tea spots; but there's one thing they all have in common, too: fabulous, often one-of-a-kind teas and delicious, gourmet food.

Continue reading Top Spots for Afternoon Tea in Vancouver....

_{Photo by Dana Lynch}

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13, and there are lots of options for celebrating Mother's Day and Mom in Vancouver!

Things to Do on Mother's Day in Vancouver 2012: Complete Guide to Mother's Day 2012 Vancouver

Mother's Day Vancouver Gift Guide:

• Top 10 Vancouver Gift Shops
• Unique Vancouver Gifts
• Brand-new mom? Vancouver's Best Baby Stores.
• Mom loves to cook? Local Vancouver Neighbourhood Cookbooks
• Vancouver Fashion Guide

Special Vancouver Mother's Day Events:

High Tea @ MOV - May 12, 2012
Take Mom for high tea this special fundraiser for the Museum of Vancouver (MOV), which includes admission MOV's fabulously fashionable exhibit Art Deco Chic.

Mother's Day at Whole Foods Market on Robson - May 12 , 2012
Mom can indulge in high tea plus a massage and/or mini makeover for just $10 - $20 at the Whole Foods Market's Whole Body Department.

Swallow Tail Supper Club's Mother's Day 2 for 1 Wild Edibles Trip - May 13, 2012
Join Mom for a guided Wild Herb tour through the forest followed by a gourmet lunch at a mountain cabin.

_{Image Courtesy of Tourism Vancouver}