My Tri-Cities Spring 2026

TRI-CITIES ARE AWESOME

TAEKWONDO EN DURANC E

10 Yearsina Row –PortMoody 1stYearWinners –Burnaby &PortCoquitlam

SPRING &SUMMERCAMPS REGISTRATION -NOWOPEN!

We helpshykidsshine,andenergetic kidsfindtheirpurpose.Our students learntostandtall,speakup, and believeinthemselves.

Betterlisteningstartshere. Through fun, structuredtraining,studentsbuild thedeep focusandself-control to shineatschoolandhome

No childsitsonthesidelines.Wefoster awelcoming culturewhere every studentbelongs,makesnewfriends, andlearnstoleadwithkindness.

March23-27 (PortMoody &PortCoquitlam) SPRINGBREAK SPRINGBREAK

CAMPWEEK 1

March16- 20(Burnaby) CAMPWEEK 2

CAMPWEEK 1

July6-10(Burnaby) CAMPWEEK 2

July 27-31(Port Moody& Port Coquitlam) CAMPWEEK 3

Aug10-14(Burnaby) CAMPWEEK 4

Aug24-28(PortMoody &PortCoquitlam) SUMMERBREAK SUMMERBREAK

WELCOME TO MY TRI-CITIES SPRING ISSUE

Get ready to dive into the next couple of months of excitement in the Tri-Cities! This issue is packed with upcoming events, seasonal celebrations, and can’t-miss activities for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re discovering a new favourite spot, attending a local festival or event, or supporting the incredible businesses that make our community shine, there’s something waiting for you on every page.

Let’s get out, explore, and celebrate local together and discover what makes the Tri-Cities Awesome!

FASHION CAMP HAS LOTS OF STYLE10 Fashion, Fabric, and Patterns Camp one of three arts-focused camps being o ered at Evergreen Cultural Centre this spring break.

DRAGON BOATERS PADDLE WATER, 17 PEDDLE COMMUNITY

Annual Inlet Spring Regatta returns to Port Moody April 25

MAY DAYS 27

Free family fun in downtown PoCo

RUNNING COMMUNITY KEEPS EACH 36

OTHER IN THE LOOP Kamino Running Company o ers a full slate of running services

Springinto SomethingNew

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EVENTS

01 FOOD FEST

The Taste of the Tri-Cities festival is on now until March 15 in an effort to celebrate the region’s fantastic local flavours, creativity, and community spirit. Participating establishments will showcase their best by offering a set menu, festival-exclusive dish, or special promotion. Visit tri-local. ca/taste-of-the-tri-cities for more information.

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01

WINTER FARMERS MARKET

The Port Moody Winter Farmers Market is on now—every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.—until April, featuring local BC produce, artisan crafts, and delicious baked goods. The market is located adjacent to the Port Moody Rec Centre (300 Ioco Rd.).

06 PRINTS AND PINTS

Enjoy a libation as you’re guided through the basics of lino-cut printmaking during Prints and Pints at Place Des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.. From sketching and transferring your image to exploring carving techniques and printing your artwork, you’ll get to leave with your own print collection: a small edition on paper and two unique greeting cards. Cost: $30. For more information or to buy tickets, visit placedesarts.ca/events/ party-pda-march-6.

06 FESTIVAL DU BOIS

The fiddle will once again be taking centre stage during the 37th annual Festival du Bois, featuring a weekend of dynamic francophone, world, and folk music and dance with artists from coast to coast. The festival, which runs from March 6 to 8, takes place in Mackin Park (1046 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam). To see the festival schedule, artist roster, or purchase tickets, visit www.festivaldubois.ca.

Fashion Camp has lots ofStyle

Fashion, Fabric, and Patterns one of three artsfocused camps being offered at Evergreen Cultural Centre this spring break.

BEN BENGTSON

Whatever the medium of choice may be, there’s a special moment that occurs when a youngster’s ideas are finally afforded the proper canvas for expression—their eyes widen, sparks of pure imagination light up: the world has become just a little bit bigger, brighter, better.

“I love to see when their creative expression gets realized,” observes artist, fashion designer, and arts educator Cyd Eva, in reference to her upcycling, sewing, and fashion-centred classes for youth—but really, any creative impulse that turns the ideas upstairs into onthe-level realities is fine by her. “A lot of it is: these are tools—what is your expression as a young designer? What do you want to express?”

Eva is raring to lend a creative hand to youth ages 8 to 13 in finding their expressive voices during a series of spring break camps at Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam this upcoming spring break.

Through daily explorations of color, texture, and pattern buoyed by learning techniques such as embroidery, mending, and embellishment, Eva’s halfday Fashion, Fabric, and Patterns Camp promises to let campers celebrate and discover their unique styles while reimagining textiles and home decorations with playful techniques.

Whether a camper is coming in with an interest in jewel tones, collage, Gothic styles, wearable art such as

bears or floral designs, and more, Eva highlights how the current generation of youngsters are interested in the artistic and expressive qualities of upcycled and recycled goods—and the artistic and stylistic applications of these well-worn, well-loved wares— in a way that speaks volumes to their ability to see something pre-loved like a favourite hoodie and turn it into something even more extravagant, special, and unique.

“There’s more understanding of shopping secondhand and of having pieces they love that they want to turn into something else—but also, having more knowledge about new ways of expressing themselves,” she says.

In addition to her upcoming spring break camp, Eva also runs a series of after-school arts programs at Evergreen. She attended Simon Fraser University for visual arts, and founded Pattern Nation, an artists’ platform aimed at “connecting artists who embrace bold colour and pattern globally,” more than 10 years ago.

Fashion, Fabric, and Patterns Half-Day Camp at Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) is taking place March 23–27 from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Evergreen is also hosting an arts camp and a theatre camp during spring break. To find out more about each camp, or to register your child, visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca/educate/camps.

12

MAR

CREATORS OF PORT MOODY PULLS BACK THE CURTAIN ON LOCAL TALENT

The evening features a curated lineup of local creators, builders, and creative entrepreneurs delivering short, high-energy PechaKucha-style talks. Together, the speakers reflect a broad definition of creativity spanning design, art, entrepreneurship, and cultural practice, while challenging the definition of what constitutes creative practice in the City of the Arts.

Time: Reception at 6:00 pm · Talks from 7:00–10:00 pm (with intermission)

Venue: Inlet Theatre, Port Moody

Tickets: $21 + service charges

Featured Speakers

Cezar Salaveria · Deanna Kayne · Sally Comin · Stéphane Cotichini · Tamia Overes · Jamie Banfield · Matthew McCormack · Roja Gholipour · Gina Chong

CREATORSOF.CA

Co-founder, vocalist, and songwriter for Barenaked Ladies, Steven Page, is set to delight audiences with a solo performance at the Great Canadian Casino (2080 United Blvd., Coquitlam) starting at 8 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit greatcanadian.com/ event/steven-page.

17 THE ARROGANT WORMS

Longstanding Canadian musical comedy trio, the Arrogant Worms, are performing a slate of tuneful and silly escapist gems during a concert showcase at Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam) starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit evergreenculturalcentre. ca/events/the-arrogant-worms-2026.

22

POLISH FUSION

The ninth-annual Polish Art Fusion Exhibition will feature approximately 100 works of art on display, showcasing the talent of Polish artists from across B.C., from March 16 to 22 at the Inlet Theatre Galleria (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody). An opening reception is scheduled for March 22, 2:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Dragon Boaters Paddle Water, Peddle Community

Annual Inlet Spring Regatta returns to Port Moody April 25

Since its inaugural event in 2018 the annual Inlet Spring Regatta has become a Tri-Cities staple, a veritable showcase of Port Moody’s springtide brilliance that encourages spectators to slowly, carefully, thoughtfully take in the splendour of Rocky Point Park

and Burrard Inlet—all while being mesmerized by what’s described by many as the fastest growing water sport in the world.

“The energy of a dragon boat regatta is something that can’t truly be described—it has to be felt,” says Brian

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Kenny, the director for this year’s regatta. “On the pier, teams heading out to race pass those coming in from the water, exchanging high-fives and cheers. On land, crews gather in circles, warming up to music or chants, or making their way to the marshaling area to get race-ready. … The vibe is electric.”

For those not already in the know, dragon boats are traditionally 12 metres in length and are propelled by 20 paddlers guided by a steersperson and drummer seated at the bow of the boat whose metronomic rhythms keep everyone together. A traditional course is 500 metres, but the Inlet Spring Regatta keeps things fast-flowing by featuring 200-m sprints, with each race taking approximately one minute to complete.

“It’s the ultimate team sport, as each paddler must move in unison,” explains Kenny. “That’s 20 paddlers trying their best to be in sync.”

The annual dragon boat race is owned and operated by Nothin’ Dragon Paddling Society, whose namesake dragon boating team composed of highly motivated and energetic older adults was started in 1998. The team celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2023.

“Connection to the water and teammates becoming like family is the best part of Nothin’ Dragon,” says Kenny. (In addition to acting as commodore for this year’s regatta, Kenny is also a Nothin’ Dragon team member and past president of the society.)

As the regatta’s host team, Kenny and company are thrilled to share this connection to the water with the larger community every year. In addition to the electric spectacle of dragon boat racing, the event also features live music, food trucks, a merchants’ corner, and even a beer garden— all supported by a beautiful venue. While the regatta is a favourite for paddlers because, as Kenny notes, “we have it all,” the focus on the event is for the community at large to have a fantastic time and experience something amazing.

An interesting addition for the 2026 regatta, notes Kenny, is that the society is focusing on supporting youth in the sport—and while they will not be running any dedicated youth-only racing heats, several youth teams will be competing alongside adult squads this year.

“It’s always interesting to see which age group comes out on top,” he says.

Either way, after last year’s nail-biter of an event, this year’s regatta promises to be just as exciting with anticipation mounting as the day progresses and the water gives way to stroke after stroke. “Music fills the air, the MC announces results,” muses Kenny, “and the day builds toward the finals.”

The 2026 Inlet Spring Regatta takes place Saturday, April 25, at Rocky Point Park (2800 Murray St., Port Moody). First races start at 8:30 a.m. and go to 3:30 p.m. The event site will remain open until 5 p.m., and entrance is free. For more details, visit inletspringregatta.com.

AGELESS™ Seniors Expo

Riverside Community Church 2329 Fremont Connector, Port Coquitlam Join us from 9am-12 noon Free admission, coffee, treats, special guests and door prizes!

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JONI MITCHELL REIMAGINED

Award-Winning Canadian singer and pianist Laila Biali will perform reimagined renditions of Joni Mitchell songs and other tunes from the great Canadian songbook as part of Inlet Theatre’s music series in Port Moody (100 Newport Dr.) starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www. portmoodymusic.com.

27 HOME SHOW

The Tri-City Home Show returns to the Poirier Sports & Leisure Complex for an action-packed weekend from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. The trade show features exhibitions and presentations on home improvement, building products, services, samples, and advice in one convenient location.

The show also runs Saturday (March 28) and Sunday (March 29) from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., respectively.

08 MUSICAL MATINÉES

The internationally renowned Bergmann Duo will perform some of their favourite two-piano repertoire, including Liszt’s Mephisto-Waltz, Ravel’s La Valse, Copland’s Saturday Night Waltz, as well as William Bolcom’s witty Ragtime-Fantasy

The Serpent’s Kiss during a matinee performance at Evergreen Cultural Centre (205 Pinetree Way) from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit evergreenculturalcentre.ca/events/ mm-la-valse.

Asmarterwayto renovate witheverythingunderone roof

Seehow familiesinthe Tri-Citiesareturning stress intoconfidencewith asingle, streamlined approach

Forhomeowners in the Tri-Citiesandsurrounding communities, renovating akitchenorbathroomis aboutmorethan aesthetics,it’sa boutmaking a confident,long-terminvestment. Yettherenovation processcanfeeloverwhelming, particularly when itcomestofindingtherightcontractorandmaking therightdecisions.

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12 FAMILY DAY AT PDA

Looking for something creative to do with the family this Family Day? Visit Place Des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) for an art-filled afternoon with fun activities for all ages led by talented artists from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. At this free event, explore the current exhibitions, experiment with art mediums, and discover the performing arts. Take home any creations made during the event. For more information or to pre-register, visit placedesarts.ca/events/familyday-at-pda-april-12-2026.

25 BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

The Tri-Cities business community will gather tonight to honour and celebrate local excellence during the Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Business Excellence Awards Gala. With more than 50 nominations across seven categories this year, the Tri-Cities Chambers’ annual Business Excellence Awards publicly recognize outstanding businesses, organizations, and individuals that demonstrate excellence in business and a passion for the community. For more information, visit www. tricitieschamber.com/signatureevents.

25

Juno-Award-winning folk duo Pharis and Jason Romero will delight audiences with their mixture of eclectic roots and folk sounds during a concert at Inlet Theatre (100 Newport Dr., Port Moody) at 7:30 p.m., part of the Inlet Music Series. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit app.ticketowl.io/aAsB54CuLTie-xO.

Get ready for community spirit and excitement as downtown Port Coquitlam comes alive for May Days. Join thousands of visitors from across Metro Vancouver for free family fun, vibrant local culture, exciting live entertainment, and the annual May Day Parade.

OPENING CEREMONIES

Sunday, May 3 from 3-4:30pm at Port Coquitlam Community Centre

Join us for the kick-off to May Days! A tradition dating back to 1923, featuring traditional maypole dancing by children and seniors, dance performances, the presentation of the 2026 May Day Royal Party, and more entertainment. The first 103 people through the door at our May Days Opening Ceremony will receive a free one-day Recreation pass.

May Day Kids’ Bike Race

Saturday, May 9 at 10am in downtown Port Coquitlam

Don’t miss this fun start to the day! Stay tuned for registration details.

May Day Parade

Saturday, May 9 at 11am in downtown Port Coquitlam

Don’t miss the iconic May Day Parade! As one of the longestrunning community parades in the Lower Mainland, the May Day Parade is a cherished tradition in downtown Port Coquitlam. Don’t miss the 8am pre-parade Pancake Breakfast at The Outlet with PoCo Scouts!

Party in the Square

Saturday, May 9 at 1-8:30pm at Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC)

Be there for the biggest party in PoCo!

Featuring:

Kids Stage at Leigh Square

Main Entertainment Stage at Terry Fox Hometown Square

Food trucks on Kelly Ave, Wilson Ave and Terry Fox Hometown Square

Beverage garden at Terry Fox Hometown Square

May Days Market on Wilson Ave

Carnival rides & games on Kelly Ave

Little Sprokets Bike Course on Wilson Ave

01 BEER TASTING

Port Moody’s premier beer tasting event returns with The Search for the Perfect Pint. A major fundraising event for the Rotary Club of Port Moody, beers start pouring at 6 p.m. at 100 Newport Dr. Tickets and more information: searchfortheperfectpint. ca.

02 FINGERLING FEST

The Port Moody Ecological Society invites everyone to attend its annual Fingerling Festival to help release thousands of young chum salmon into Noons Creek as these fish begin their four-year journey at sea. The event will be held at the Noons Creek Hatchery and Port Moody Recreation Centre’s ice rink, located just across the walking bridge at 300 Ioco Rd., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www. noonscreek.org/fingerling-festival for more information.

MAY

MAY DAYS CEREMONIES

A tradition dating back to 1923, join the City of Port Coquitlam for its May Days kick off celebration featuring traditional maypole dancing by children and seniors, dance performances, the presentation of the 2026 May Day Royal Party, and more entertainment at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.) from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Visit portcoquitlam.ca/explorepoco/events/may-days for more information about PoCo’s May Days festivities.

09 KIDS BIKE RACE

Head to downtown Port Coquitlam for a free, fun, and non-competitive event bike race for kids, slated to get going right before the Rotary May Day Parade, at 10 a.m. Visit portcoquitlam. ca/explore-poco/events/may-days for registration details.

Tri-City SPRING HOME SHOW

09 MAY DAY PARADE

Following the Kids Bike Race is Port Coquitlam’s iconic May Day Parade, one of the longest-running community parades in the Lower Mainland. The parade gets rolling at 11 a.m. in downtown PoCo.

09 PARTY IN THE SQUARE

There’ll be carnival rides and games, a beverage garden, a market, and much more during the biggest allaround party in Port Coquitlam and the conclusion to the city’s May Days festivities. Events and entertainment take place from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (2150 Wilson Ave.).

10 MOTHER’S DAY ON A TRAIN

Come celebrate Mother’s Day onboard the Venosta, a 1921 train car permanently station at POMO Museum (2734 Murray St., Port Moody), featuring teatime, baked goods, and heart-warming time spent with friends and family. Reservations are required. Visit www.pomo. museum for details.

Running Community Keeps Each Other in the Loop

Kamino Running Company offers a full slate of running services

Like many a runner who’s hit their stride but time and time again finds they can’t quite surge toward that strong finish, Daniel Simpson found his own solo running practice bumping up against something of a wall. But instead of allowing his running to taper off or

plateau he endeavoured to keep shuffling a little farther and a little faster—and with some much-needed support from the community. He’s now on the other side of the wall, and he’s brought the running community with him.

“For me, I was teetering off: I wasn’t getting faster or

improving,” explains Simpson. “So, I decided to share it with other people. You get faster when you’re running with others: you’re motivated together.”

In the waning days of 2023, Simpson, a born and raised Coquitlam resident, founded Kamino Running Company on this very idea—that, to paraphrase one well-known proverb, “If you want to run far, go alone. If you want to run farther, go together.”

Noticing a lack of an organized running community in his own backyard, Simpson sought to unite Coquitlam’s runners by offering a full slate of running services—from coaching and group workouts to social runs and race hosting—while ostensibly steering and guiding members from the early days of training all the way up to race day.

“Our running culture is bar none,” emphasizes Simpson. “There’s a positive energy. Everyone is welcome to come out.”

Kamino held its first event at Coquitlam’s Lafarge Lake in 2024, propelled by Simpson’s tireless, high-energy promoting. “I created an Instagram page, did some really bad graphic design, and started posting daily,” he says. “The city almost fined because I plastered these posters all over Coquitlam.”

His expectations weren’t necessarily high, but he was determined to build a community of runners and a business that reflected his passion for running in all its sweaty, kinetic, and mentally cleansing permutations— from a recreational runabout with friends to a high-octane competitive race.

Needless to say, Simpson’s expectations were blown away on the day of Kamino’s first event: more than 75 runners showed up to complete the five-kilometre social run he’d planned around Coquitlam. “I was ecstatic,” he says. “I didn’t really think it was going to go anywhere. I thought it would just be for fun—but then many people asked me for more.”

Since then, Kamino Running has kept pace with the demand for a well-organized community of runners that Simpson so clearly identified a few years ago. Business is booming, he notes, and there’s more events planned for the future such as the upcoming Kamino-organized Royal Rocky Point Race, a five-km rip through Port Moody’s Rocky Point Park taking place on April 4.

To register for the above-mentioned race, or learn more about Kamino membership or running services, visit kaminorunning.ca.

We have beenservicingthe Tri-Cities forover49years andareveryproudofourlong historyinthe community. We thankourmanyclients -ourneighboursandourfriends -whohave supportedusthroughthese past