What’s happening Chilliwack

‘What’s happening Chilliwack’ is an ongoing list of events taking place in and around Chilliwack. This list is updated regularly and it is a free service. To get your event added to this list of community events at no charge, email jenna.hauck@theprogress.com.

Now to Nov. 18 • The City of Chilliwack is bringing some free events to the community to mark the 150th anniversary of Chilliwack’s incorporation. During July and August, there will be a weekly free swim at the Rotary Outdoor Pool, on Saturdays from 1 p.m to 3 p.m. Plus there will be four free skates: Sept. 16 and Oct. 21 from 5:45 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at Sardis Sports Complex, and Sept. 17 and Oct. 22 from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Chilliwack Coliseum. Finally, there will be an evening with food trucks and fireworks on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Townsend Park at 7 p.m.

May 3 to Aug. 30 • The Artisan and Farmers Market (formerly The Eco Market) is at Sardis Park every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more, go to theafmarket.square.site.

May 26 to Sept. 1 • The Yarrow Farm Market runs every Friday at Yarrow Pioneer Park from 5 p.m. to dusk (about 8:30 p.m.). For more, go to theyarrowfarmmarket.com.

May 28 to Oct. 15 • The Downtown Chilliwack Community Market takes place Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., from May 28 to Oct. 15 on Mill Street in downtown Chilliwack.

May 30 • Coast Valley Markets has its farmers’ market called Market at the Coliseum every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. outside the Chilliwack Coliseum at the corner of Hodgins and Ashwell. It runs from May 30 to Sept. 26. Watch for information on the Mary Forstbauer Memorial Zucchini Races happening Aug. 22. For more, go to coastvalleymarkets.com.

June 20 to Aug. 29 • Summer Reading Baby Play Club is at the Chilliwack Library on Tuesdays (June 20, July 25 and Aug. 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Join others for a story, group songs with the parachute, followed by free play and social time for guardians and babies. All attending will receive an extra entry in the special Summer Reading Club Baby Draw. Drop in, no registration required.

July 4 to Aug. 25 • The Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve is offering week-long summer camps (half-day or full-day) throughout July and August. Instructors include John Le Flock, who has taught wildlife art at the reserve for nearly 20 years, Ruby Rodier, who offers a unique combination of yoga and art education and bi-lingual instruction for francophone campers, and Kassa Dueck, an educator, camp instructor, and biologist. The team has a variety of programming prepared to offer children a unique opportunity to connect with the outdoors and engage with their creative sides. Camp programs are suitable for children ages 5 to 12. All camps are five days in length (excluding those adjacent to holiday weekends). Half-day camps run in the morning from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and afternoon from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Register for a full-day to attend both sessions at a discounted rate (full-day campers have a supervised 30-min lunch break). The fee for half-day camps is $200 per child, and the full-day camp discounted rate is $350. Holiday four-day weeks (July 4 to 7 and Aug. 8 to 11) have adjusted rates of $160 for half-day sessions and $280 for full days. For more, go to chilliwackblueheron.com/workshops/camps.

July 16 • Kindness Chain Chilliwack Association presents Kids Fun Day on July 16 at Sardis Park from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be lots of activities including face painting, games and races, arts and crafts, a water slide, bouncy castle and more. There will also be snacks and ice cream. For more info, go to facebook/com/KindnessChainChilliwack or call 778-952-3314.

July 20 • Colin Linden and Nigel Mack are at Bozzini’s for two shows: early show at 5:30 p.m. (doors open at 4 p.m.); and late show at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.). Tickets $37.50 to $39.50. Tickets available at Bozzini’s or call 604-792-0744 to reserve by phone. For more, go to bozzinisrestaurant.ca.

July 22 • Three bands – Meatplow, The Stickman Band, Seafoam – perform at Corky’s Irish Pub on July 22 at 8:30 p.m. Cover charge is $10, non-reserved seating.

July 22 and 23 • Hidden Gems Events presents ‘Chilliwack Emporium’ on July 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This market supports local businesses of all kinds, including ones with handmade and homegrown items. This is a monthly market which takes place in May, June, July and August. It’s at the Princess Armouries (45707 Princess Ave.). There will also be food trucks on site. Admission is free.

July 22 • Fraser Valley Specialty Poultry (FVSP) is hosting its first ever Classic Car Show and Fundraiser on July 22. It is a free event, with opportunities to donate and proceeds will benefit Dave and Lisa Bisschop, friends/neighbours of FVSP who lost their custom car shop business in a fire on Vedder Mountain Road on June 8. There will be a barbecue, classic cars, and the chance to help out the Bisschops. The fundraiser is on Saturday, July 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4540 Simmons Rd.

July 28 • It’s Cirque de Wack presented by Audio Asphyxiation at Corky’s Irish Pub on July 28 at 8:30 p.m. Non-reserved seating.

July 29 • Bastards & Buzzards perform at Corky’s Irish Pub on July 29 at 8:30 p.m. Cover charge is $10, non-reserved seating.

July 31 • The Food Bank Burger Fundraiser at Corky’s is on Monday, July 31 at 45844 Yale. Rd. Enjoy a burger at Corky’s Irish Pub and help support the local food bank. Tickets (cash only) are $15 for a burger and fries (veggie burgers available for substitution at no additional cost). Burgers will have onion, tomato, lettuce, and garlic mayo. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 draw. Feel free to bring non-perishable food items to donate as well. The fundraiser runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. For more, go to the event page.

Aug. 12 • Head to Corky’s Irish Pub for Saturday Night Karaoke on Aug. 12 at 8:30 p.m.

Aug. 18 • Island Brother’s Entertainment host The Steadies at Corky’s Irish Pub on Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m. Cover charge is $10, non-reserved seating.

Aug. 19 and 20 • Hidden Gems Events presents ‘Chilliwack Emporium’ on Aug. 19 and 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. This market supports local businesses of all kinds, including ones with handmade and homegrown items. This is a monthly market which takes place in May, June, July and August. It’s at the Princess Armouries (45707 Princess Ave.). There will also be food trucks on site. Admission is free.

Sept. 6 • Members of the Chilliwack High School class of 1963 are invited to attend the 60th reunion on Wednesday, Sept. 6 for a chance to catch up with old friends and classmates. The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at the Chilliwack Coast Hotel (45920 First Ave.). Former students living in the Chilliwack area are encouraged to register – more than 30 classmates have chosen to attend from across Canada and the U.S. Celebrations include a buffet luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 6 followed by a program including a retro power point presentation of the good old days. For those wanting to spend more time together on Wednesday, there will be several local dinner options, plus a breakfast option Thursday morning. To register, email Elmer Wiens at egwiens@shaw.ca, or Myrna (Edwards) Morrison at myrnamorrison@telus.net. General reunion questions can be sent to Myrna (Edwards) Morrison.

Sept. 23 • The Chilliwack Hospice Society is having a disco-themed gala on Sept. 23. The 18th Annual Chilliwack Hospice Society Gala’s theme for 2023 is ‘Disco: You should be dancing!’ It will be held at The’í:tselíya (S.A.Y. Community Centre) at 7256 Chilliwack River Rd. DJ Adam Kruger will be spinning all the disco hits people know and love after a plated meal by Restaurant62. This disco-infused, high-profile fundraising dinner, auction, and dance event raises money to support the bereavement and palliative care support programs and services Chilliwack Hospice Society provides free of cost to children, youth, and adults in Chilliwack and the surrounding communities. For more, go to chilliwackhospice.org/calendar-events/gala.

To get your event added to this list of community events at no charge, email jenna.hauck@theprogress.com.