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WEEKEND EVENTS: Park lights, teddy bear toss

Events in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody for Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
Hayley Knapp Event Coordinator & Fund Development Officer
Hayley Knapp, Share's event co-ordinator and fund development officer, with some Share teddy bears that will be sold at the Coquitlam Express game on Dec. 1 in support of the non-profit social services agency.

Friday, Nov. 29

RED NOSE RIDES
Get a ride home from the pub or a party — in your own vehicle — from volunteers with Operation Red Nose, which starts tonight in the Tri-Cities. Ride donations go to KidSport Tri-Cities, a charity that pays for sporting registrations for families in financial need. Supported by ICBC, Coquitlam RCMP, Hard Rock Casino Vancouver and Coquitlam Centre as well as local eateries, the service also runs Nov. 30, Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21 and 31. Call 778-866-6673 for a lift between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. To volunteer with the campaign, visit operationrednosetricities.com to download an application form.

MOVEMBER ICE
Head over to Planet Ice (2300 Rocket Way, Coquitlam) where up to 200 Lower Mainland firefighters will play hockey in games between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. in support of Movember, a fundraiser in November for prostate and testicular cancers, mental health and suicide prevention among men. The annual tournament is organized by the Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services department. Visit ca.movember.com to donate to the PoCo team.

FAMILY SKATE
Take skating lessons as a family at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m., where half the ice sheet on Arena 3 will be reserved for lessons. Admission is $12.50 or $15 for entry and rentals. Visit portcoquitlam.ca.

HARRY POTTER BALL
Kids can dress up as a wizard or Hogwarts student for the Harry Potter Yule Ball, a seasonal celebration at Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Families can take part in craftmaking, games and a magical dance. Visit portmoody.ca.

METFEST PLAYS
See the adjudicated one-act plays by SD43 high schools in the annual MetFest, at Heritage Woods secondary (1300 David Ave., Port Moody). Tonight, Port Moody, Gleneagle and Terry Fox secondaries take the stage while, on Saturday night, it’s Riverside, Centennial and Heritage Woods secondaries. Shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the door.

HOCKEY NIGHT
The Coquitlam Express take on Chilliwack in a home game at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam) at 7 p.m. Visit coquitlamexpress.ca.

BEETHOVEN 250
The Beethoven Trio — aka Andrew Sords (violin), Luke Severn (cello) and Cheryl Duvall (piano) — celebrate the 250th birthday of the Viennese master composer with a concert at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) at 8 p.m. For tickets, call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca.

 

Saturday, Nov. 30
 

CRAFT FAIR
Load up on gifts at the 4th annual Port Moody Christmas Craft Fair, held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Port Moody city hall (100 Newport Dr.). More than 40 vendors will be in the Galleria. Entry is by donation with proceeds supporting the Downtown Eastside Women’s Shelter. Visit facebook.com/pmcraftfair.

MOM’S MARKET
The Tri-Cities Mom Group hosts a winter market at the Coquitlam branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (2675 Shaughnessy St.) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in aid of families in financial need during the holidays. Go to TCMG Winter Market on Facebook.

CANDLES, CRAFTS
Learn about winter traditions around the world at Mackin House (1116 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam), roll beeswax candles and try your hand at crafts with the Coquitlam Heritage Society. There are two one-hour sessions starting at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Entry is by donation and registration is required by visiting coquitlamheritage.ca.

LAFARGE LIGHTS
The largest free outdoor display of lights in the Lower Mainland this winter kicks off at Lafarge Lake in Town Centre Park (1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) with a party from 6 to 8 p.m. Walk the 1.2-km lake loop to see the entertainers and fire show, make crafts and snap a few selfies. Sponsored by Coquitlam Centre and The Tri-City News, the 100,000-plus lights are on every night to 11 p.m. until Jan. 19, 2020. Hop off the Evergreen Extension at Lafarge Lake-Douglas; parking will be limited (no parking at Evergreen Cultural Centre for the event). Call 604-927-6300 or visit coquitlam.ca/lights to learn about the seasonal pop-ups displays.

LIGHT THE PIER
Over in Port Moody, the city will light up the Rocky Point Park pier (2800-block of Murray Street) for its annual Cheer on the Pier. From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors can sip hot chocolate, snack on sugar cookies, hear the Christmas carols, ride the Candy Cane mini train and have a picture taken with Santa or Frosty. The light switch is flipped at 6:30 p.m. And don’t forget to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Port Moody fire department’s toy drive and check out the Port Moody Heritage Society’s Letters to Santa tent. Take the Evergreen Extension to Moody Centre and walk the overpass to Rocky Point Park. Visit portmoody.ca.

 

Sunday, Dec. 1
 

SANTA PAWS
Bring your pet to the Shaughnessy Veterinary Hospital (2129-2850 Shaughnessy St., Port Coquitlam) between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. for a photo with Santa, for a minimum $5 donation (cats and rabbits only between 11 and 11:30 a.m.). Proceeds support the Network for Animals. Call 604-945-4949 or visit coolvet.com.

IN HARMONY
Launch the festive month with the Harmony Women’s Vocal Ensemble, which performs Christmas choral music at Trinity United Church (2211 Prairie Ave., Port Coquitlam) starting at 2:30 p.m. Admission is $20 (no cost for kids 12 and under) at the door. Refreshments will be served. For tickets, call 604-469-1641.

BEAR TOSS
Buy a $5 Share teddy bear at the Coquitlam Express game (versus Nanaimo) and toss it onto the ice in support of the Tri-City social services agency. Guests can also bring their own stuffy and make a donation to the non-profit group at its annual fundraiser. The game starts at 3 p.m. at the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Visit coquitlamexpress.ca