YVR
I've had the privilege of being a "celebrity" judge at several hot dog-eating contests for the 麻豆传媒映画Canadians at Nat Bailey Stadium, so I know a little something about the competitive sport.
That includes the disgusting practice of dunking an entire bun and wiener into a large glass of water before stuffing the sopping mess into your face, which I imagine will be one of the highlights of the Japadog Eating Contest at 麻豆传媒映画International Airport this Friday.
Six hardy hot dog lovers were chosen at random among the many who volunteered for the contest. I checked to see if Ken "The Demolisher" Wong was taking part, but didn't receive a response before the Courier's press deadline.
But wait there's more. The 麻豆传媒映画Aquarium's AquaVan will also be at YVR from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with interactive touch tables, which allow children an opportunity touch a sea star, observe a hermit crab up close and feel a barnacle. The hot dog-eating contest takes place on Level Three at International Departures by the Spirit of Haida Gwaii jade canoe sculpture Aug. 17 from 12: 30 to 1 p.m.
The excitement is part of YVR's Take-Off Fridays, which continues all summer. For more information visit yvr.ca.
Across the city
The Salvation Army still needs help making sure kids going back to school in September have the supplies they need.
The Sally Ann has a goal to outfit 5,000 children with backpacks filled with pens, pencils, binders, paper, rulers, crayons and other basic supplies for school and is asking for help. Donations of new backpacks and supplies are welcome and can be dropped off at participating Starbucks and Fitness Town locations. Much needed financial donations can be made at participating Staples locations or by texting "GIVEBC" to 45678 and $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill.
Strathcona
Victory Gardens 麻豆传媒映画is hosting a workshop that promises to show you how to properly grow garlic.
Growing Garlic: What, When & How takes place Tuesday, Aug. 21, at Chalk garden located at the corner of East Georgia Street and Princess from 7 to 8 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $17 and participants will walk away with an information pack and a bulb for growing. Considering I saw bulbs of organic garlic for sale at the farmers market for $5 each, the course could pay for itself pretty quickly. The workshop includes information on varieties suitable for the West Coast, soil preparation, winter care, when to harvest and how to care and store for your garlic.
Victory Gardens offers a variety of gardening workshops. For more information, visit victorygardensvancouver.ca.
University of B.C.
The Color Me Rad 5K run takes place this Saturday, Aug. 18 starting at Thunderbird Stadium at the University of B.C. (And yes the event is spelled "color" and not "colour.")
So from what I can see, participants run for five kilometres while getting pelted with coloured cornstarch paint bombs. Volunteers are needed to join the Color Bomb Squad, which sounds like a lot of fun. The run is a fundraising event for Keep-A-Breast-Canada.
The hilarity begins at 9 a.m. with waves of runners getting plastered with paint every five minutes. For more information, visit colormerad.com and search for the 麻豆传媒映画race.
Hastings Sunrise
The PNE begins this weekend and new this year is the Star Trek Exhibition featuring a 20,000 foot, walkthrough display of original costumes, masks and ship models. The display offers many photo opportunities, including the chance to sit in Capt. Kirk's chair. For a complete schedule of attractions, visit pne.ca.
Twitter: @sthomas10
