TsawwassenSunFestivaloffers51styearoffuninthesun

PHIL MELNYCHUK Contributing Writer

There’s nothing like a little fun that’s close to home, where everything is within walking distance, or at least, just a short drive away.

The 51st Tsawwassen Sun Festival offers that down-home fun on the August long weekend, from Saturday, Aug 5 to Monday, Aug. 7.

The Sun Festival brings everyone together in Tsawwassen, because there’s something for everyone

For instance, the slopitch tournament in which 20 teams compete for prizes, takes place all three days at Winskill Park, just off 56th Street. And what usually accompanies a slowpitch tournament?

Exactly. The beer garden and DJ music will be on site all weekend, although keep in mind, the beer has to be kept in the beer garden.

If it’s too hot for slopitch, some indoor action in front of the bingo cards may be in order, but that only takes place on the first day of the festival on Saturday afternoon, in the South Delta Recreation Centre, on 17th Avenue and 56th Street.

Three other events only appear on the Saturday of the Tsawwassen Sun Festival.

First, a co-ed volleyball tournament takes place at Dennison Park.

Also on Saturday, is the Skateboard Competition, presented by Hippie Mike Industries The event returns after an absence of about a decade, and takes place at the skate park, next to the South Delta Recreation Centre. And starting sometime in the evening, about 6:30 p.m., when the sun is beginning to set, the Disney movie Elemental will be shown at the Outdoor Movie Night at Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall, at 12th

Avenue and 56th Street

And if you’ve ever wondered what all the racket was about pickleball, on Sunday, there’s a tournament at Dennison Park, all day.

In addition to all the fun activities, an important part of attending the Sun Festival is simply to give back to your local community.

And what better way to do that than enjoying the food and drink on each day of the event?

Each day of the event, the Tsawwassen Order of Old Bastards (TOOBS) fires up the barbecue in Winskill Park. So don’t pack a lunch.

Still hungry?

On Monday, Aug 7, B.C. Day, the big day of Tsawwassen Sun Festival, the day kicks off with a pancake breakfast, thanks to the Boundary Bay Lions

Then, later in the morning, a food and marketplace opens at Winskill Park

After the pancakes and beginning at 11 a.m., comes the Tsawwassen Rotary Parade along 56th Street. That begins at 16th Avenue if you want to catch it at the start

And what summer fair would be complete without a car show?

Monday is also the day for Classic Car Show, also at Winskill Park, at

56th Street and Ninth Avenue.

The show, marking its eighth anniversary, will include a range of auto styles from classics to hot rods to imports, luxury rides and electric cars

On top of the parade, the car show, the pancake breakfast, beer, food and marketplace vendors, there’s also a pie-eating contest at 1:30 p.m., and a children’s midway, beginning at noon.

On the main stage, Mentor of the Arts, Danielle Hamilton appears in the afternoon. B.C. Day, is indeed a busy day, at Tsawwassen Sun Festival.