Burnaby Blooms
Burnaby’s favourite springtime celebrations returns in 2024 as the City welcomes Burnaby Blooms. Join us on Sunday, May 5 at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and Deer Lake Park.
Enjoy entertainment, roving performers, workshops, eco-sculptures, family activities, talks and tours, plant sales, community groups, food trucks and more!
In addition, we will also host micro-events at Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area on May 18 and on the BC Parkway (Metrotown and Patterson Stations) on May 25, where you can participate in activities and demonstrations while enjoying free entertainment.
Burnaby Blooms promotes the long-term sustainability and the ecological health of our community in a fun and creative environment. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for hours of fun at the City's favourite spring festival.
Free admission and entertainment. The event is designed to happen rain or shine.
Reminder: parking in the vicinity is limited, so alternate transportation is recommended.
All tours start at the Info Tent.
| Time | Talks/Tours |
|---|---|
| 8:30-10 am and 11 am-noon | Tour: The Birds of Deer Lake with George Clulow Join passionate local ornithologist and tour guide George Clulow on a walk to look at the huge variety of birds to be found at Deer Lake Park. Spring is an exciting time of year to watch birds. Some are migrating, some are nesting, and most are singing more than usual! The tour will include a visit to the nearby Deer Lake heronry! All ages welcome, but talk will be aimed at ages 10 to adult. Bring binoculars if you have them. Distance: approx. 3.5 kms; Elevation gain: 15 m; Terrain: pavement, gravel paths, lakeshore boardwalk. |
| 11 am-noon | Talk: Bees and Blooms with Beekeeper Cassie Join Honeybee Centre’s Beekeeper Cassie for an enlightening session on the unsung heroes of pollination – the Mason Bees! Delve into the fascinating world of these local, industrious insects as we unravel their vital role in our ecosystem and gardening practices. During this engaging talk, participants will learn about the life cycle of mason bees, their habitat preferences, and simple ways to attract and support these beneficial insects in their own backyard. Discover why mason bees are excellent pollinators for early spring bloomers and how their presence can enhance the abundance of flowers and fruits in your garden. |
| 11 am-12:30 pm | Tour: Mushroom Walk with mycologist WIllougby Arevalo Arevalo’s lifelong friendship with fleshy fungi has led him down a mycelial pathway – from his start in field identification and mushroom hunting, branching into cuisine, DIY cultivation, farming, education, writing and eco-arts. On this engaging free tour, learn about local fungi and how they interact with other members of their ecosystems, including humans. |
| 11:30 am-1 pm and 2:30-4 pm | Tour: The Indigenous Natural History of Deer Lake Join John Preissl and Laurie Beeman to learn about our fascinating local Indigenous history, bird and raptor hotspots, 'Hummingbird Alley', a secret garden and more at Deer Lake Park! All ages welcome, but the talk will be aimed at ages 8yrs to adult. Bring binoculars and a camera if you have them. John is an environmental, adventure, wildlife and Indigenous freelance photographer, and his images have been published in the Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post, Ming Pau, Burnaby Now, and more. Distance: approx. 3.5 kms; Elevation gain: 15 m; Terrain: pavement, gravel paths, lakeshore boardwalk |
| 12:30-1:30 pm | Talk: For a Healthy & Vibrant Garden Avoid These Common Mistakes Join Red Seal Certified Horticulturist Amanda Jarrett from Amanda's Garden Consulting Company to learn how to grow a healthy and vibrant garden. Avoid common gardening mistakes and help ensure your success. Ideal for all ages and no previous gardening experience is required. Free seed giveaways and gardening catalogues while supplies last. |
| 1-2 pm | Tour: Spring Birds and Blossoms Join Utta and Aruna, members of the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society, for a family friendly spring stroll along the Deer Lake trails as we look for birds and wildflowers. Also learn about the Cariboo Heights Forest, significant for its vast diversity of native plants and wildlife, right in the heart of Burnaby, south of the Brunette River. |
| 2-3 pm | Talk: The Art of Ikebana: Japanese Flower Arrangement From ancient times to the modern-day, Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging, has developed from religious offerings to artistic decor for everyone. Simple or ornate, fresh branches and floral materials are combined to create beautiful artistic compositions. Join speakers Cecily and Joan from the Vancouver Ikebana Association to discover an art form that everyone can enjoy. Live demonstration included! |
| 2-2:30 pm | Tour: Century Gardens: Growing a Grander Future Join Horticulture Foreman Andrew O’Keeffe and learn about his ambitious 5-year plan to make significant improvements to Deer Lake Park’s stunning Century Gardens. Nestled in Deer Lake Park between the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts and the Burnaby Art Gallery, these extensive gardens offer gorgeous greenery and florals year round, as well as a series of created ponds. Since they were dedicated in 1967 to mark Canada’s Centennial, visitors have enjoyed the many rhododendrons, perennials, and flower beds within the garden. Looking to the future the City is planning new beds and improving existing ones. |
| 3:15-4:00pm | Talk: The Wonderful History of Herbal Gardens Explore the exciting world of Herbal Gardens! Learn the scientific and medicinal properties of herbal plants, along with stories and European traditional usages. Ana is a botanical pharmacology specialist with a Masters in Pharmacy, as well as a certified landscaper and herbal garden designer. Live demonstration included! |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11 am-3 pm | Free Facepainting |
| 11 am-4 pm | |
| 11 am-4 pm | Plant an Eco-Sculpture |
| 11 am-4 pm | Create a Floral Mask |
| 11 am-4 pm | Plant a Flower |
| 11 am-4 pm | Printmaking and Poetry Card Making |
| 11 am-4 pm | Create a Paper Bird |
| 11 am-4 pm | Paint a Ceramic Garden Stake |
| 11 am-4 pm | Puppet Making & Parade |
| 11 am-4 pm | BAG on a Bike |
| 11 am-4 pm | Figures and Flowers Drawing Session |
| 11 am-4 pm | Chinese Brush Painting & Demonstration: Cherry and Plum Blossoms |
| 11 am-4 pm | ACE Burnaby ABC: Air, Brakes, Chains |
| 11 am-4 pm | Burnaby Potters Guild |
| 11 am-4 pm | Burnaby Artists Guild |
| 11 am-4 pm | Burnaby Photographic Society |
| noon-12:45 pm and 1:15-2 pm | Mindful Movement drop-in for kids |
| Time | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| All Day | Labyrinth & Live music: Pan drum and didgeridoo |
| 11:00-11:45 am and 12:15-1 pm | Guitar with Caden Knudson |
| 11-11:50 am | Dufflebag Theatre presents Cinderella |
| 12:10-1 pm | Square Dance Fun with Paul Silveria |
| 1:15-1:45 pm | Bollywood Dance Show with Karima Essa |
| 1:30-2:30 pm | Ukelele with Anita Tse |
| 2-2:45 pm and 3-3:45 pm | Erhu (Chinese fiddle) with Jirong Huang |
| 2:15-3 pm | Comedic Fun with Rain City Improv |
| 3:30-4:15 pm | Lively 1920's Beats with the Jazz Monarchs |
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 11 am-2 pm | Paint a Wooden Ornament |
| 11 am-2 pm | Plant a Seed |
| 11 am-2 pm | Make a Floral Mask |
| 11 am-2 pm | Burnaby Blooms Selfie Station |
| 11 am-2 pm | Button Making |
| Time | Entertainment |
|---|---|
| 11-11:45 am | Pastiche feat. Allan Dionne and Boris Favre |
| noon-12:45 pm | Girl A Girl B |
| 1-1:45 pm | The Lache Cercel Trio |
May 25, 11 am-2 pm
BC Parkway
Metrotown and Patterson Skytrain Stations
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11 am-2 pm | ACE Burnaby: Bicycle Education | Patterson Station |
| 11 am-2 pm | Eco Art Installation: Bicycles & Dancing Ladies | Metrotown and Patterson Station |
| 11 am-2 pm | Selfie Station | Metrotown Station |
| noon-2 pm | Paint a Wooden Ornament | Patterson Station |
| noon-2 pm | ACE Burnaby: Bicycle Education | Patterson Station |
| noon-2 pm | Decorate a Re-useable Bag | Patterson Station |
| noon-2 pm | Alex Stewart: artwork install demos and Meet the Artist | Patterson Station |
| All day (while supplies last) |
Free Seed Bookmark Giveaway | Metrotown Station |
| Time | Entertainment | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11-11:45 am | The Lache Cercel Trio | Patterson Station |
| noon-12:45 pm | Girl A Girl B | Patterson Station |
| 1-1:45 pm | Ukelele with Anita Tse | Patterson Station |
| 1-1:45 pm | Erhu (Chinese fiddle) with Jirong Huang | Metrotown Station |
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