If you're looking to de-clutter around the house, the Quayside Community Board Festival and Sale may be the place to be.
Organizers of the seventh annual festival and sale are accepting applications for tables, vendors and sponsors for the event that takes place along the waterfront boardwalk on Saturday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Hosted by the Quayside Community Board, the event features 200 tables, entertainment on three stages, food and beverage vendors, a farmers' market, community and charitable vendors and a kids zone.
The Quayside Community Board Festival and Sale will be raising funds for The Royal Westminster Regiment, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year. Anyone interested in renting a table (to sell reused, recycled or repurposed items), being a vendor (selling new products or services) or being a sponsor, can call 604-5216677 for details or fill out the appropriate application form at www.quayside board.com.
Blind Beginnings
Blind Beginning's first talent show was such a hit it's already thinking ahead to next year.
The New Westminster-based nonprofit held the Blind Beginnings Has Talent event on June 22. Sixteen entertainers took to the stage at the Sapperton Pensioners Hall in a show that featured blind artists from around the Lower Mainland.
Shawn Marsolais, a New Westminster native, founded Blind Beginnings five years ago to empower blind and visually impaired children and youth and to support their families through a variety of workshops and programs. Funds raised at the event will support the organization's youth leadership program, which allows young people from various parts of B.C. to meet and develop their leadership and life skills.
Along with Marsolais, several youth leaders with Blind Beginnings organized the event that raised about $1,000. Organizers have already learned of other young entertainers who could potentially take part in future events.
Winners of this year's Blind Beginnings Has Talent included: singer/ piano and guitar player Aman Gill of Surrey; singer Jessica Rathwell of New Westminster, who was accompanied by Patricia Elgersma on piano; and singer Nika Najafi of North Vancouver, a 12 year-old who has been singing with the Tempos (a performance choir) since November 2010.
Artists on River
The Fraser River Discovery Centre is now accepting submissions from artists and artisans for its annual Artists on the River market.
Artists and artisans in all media are being invited to display, demonstrate and sell their artwork along the Westminster Quay boardwalk during RiverFest on Saturday, Sept. 28. Artists are also encouraged to display a piece of their finest work in the galleries of the Fraser River Discovery Centre on Friday evening.
This year is the centre's 10th annual celebration of B.C. and World Rivers Day. RiverFest: Inspired by the Fraser is a free event that attracts more than 10,000 visitors.
In addition to artists and artisans, RiverFest will consist of live entertainment, river tours, interactive displays from economic, environmental, and conservation organizations that are connected to the river, the Lucille Johnstone work boat parade, and crafts and activities for the whole family.
Any artists who have works inspired by rivers or a focus on the environment can get application forms and submission guidelines on the centre's website at www.fraserriverdiscovery. org. Completed application forms must be submitted by Aug. 16.
