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🔦 Business Spotlight - The Soda Fest - Sapperton Business Collective

🗞 New West Local News - Ping Pong Showdown + RCC Trade Show

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What if your new favourite drink is something you’ve never even thought to try?

On Sunday, September 13, Sapperton Park will be filled with music, food, games — and a whole lot of soda as The Soda Fest returns for its second year.

But this isn’t just about choosing between cola and root beer. Visitors will be able to sample craft sodas, kombucha and other non-alcoholic drinks from Canadian makers — including flavours they may never have tried before. And yes, you get to taste before you buy.

That was one of the things people loved most last year. Mallory, the Event Organizer with the Sapperton Business Collective (SBC), said visitors enjoyed being able to try unusual flavours without committing to a whole pack.

Some of the flavours can be surprisingly complex. Mallory compared tasting Heartberry Soda’s ancestral and Indigenous-inspired flavours to wine tasting — one flavour may hit first, followed by something completely different.

Last year, the SBC weren’t sure what kind of turnout to expect. They hoped perhaps 500 people would come.

Almost 1,000 showed up. They went through nearly all 1,000 reusable tasting cups and ran out of 500 wristbands within the first few hours.

That response made bringing The Soda Fest back an easy decision. This year, there will be a larger main stage, a full live music lineup, more lawn games and more food vendors. 

Throughout the Music Acts you will find local music teachers from New West's Motion & Music Performing Arts Academy, and New West's Quayside Voices acapella group will return to close out the day. SBC also listened to feedback from last year.

Metro Vancouver’s Water Wagon will be on site so visitors can refill reusable water bottles and rinse the ShareWares tasting cups between samples, and there will be more seating for people who want to relax and enjoy the music. Make sure to bring your reusable bottle to stay hydrated AND eco-friendly! 

But Soda Fest is also meant to get people exploring Sapperton itself.

A digital event map will highlight businesses and restaurants open that Sunday, encouraging visitors to wander East Columbia Street, discover a shop they haven’t visited before or stay in the neighbourhood for dinner. For Mallory, that sense of discovery is really what the event is all about.

Maybe you discover a new soda. Maybe you discover a new band.

Or maybe you leave thinking: “I should come out to Sapperton more often.”

Sunday, September 13, 202611:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sapperton Park + Field (315 E Columbia Street)

Admission: FREE

🗣 Spanish Conversation Drop-in – 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

🗣 English Conversation Circles – Saturday Sessions – 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

🍽 Lunch and Learn Social – 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

🚶 Explore New West Walk – 11:30 AM

🍳 Summer Hangout & Cookathon – 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎶 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 4:15 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🛍 Hyack Square Market Days – 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM

💑 City Love Scavenger Hunt For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🧺 Cedar Weaving Workshop – 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

🎸 Buskers on the Boardwalk – 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

📝 Finanzas con Cafecito – 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

🌈 Pride Storytime and Family Dance Party – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎉 New West Pride Street Festival – 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🚲 Youth Cycle Express: $2 Drop-in for Youth Ages 13 - 18 – 4:00 PM to 4:45 PM

🎶 Live Music Saturday's with Angie Faith – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎸 Live Music Saturday at the Legion Branch 2 – 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM

👻 The Ghosts of New Westminster – 8:00 PM

🎶 Saturday Night Live Music at The Terminal Pub – 9:00 PM

🎙 Karaoke Saturdays at Kelly & Carlos O’Bryan’s – 9:00 PM to 12:30 AM

🕺 Saturday Dance Party at Georgie's – 10:00 PM to 1:00 AM

🕹 Fighting Game Night – Phantom Alley

🎨 River As A Muse at Anvil Centre

🦖 Kids Pokémon League - New West – 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

🎶 Uptown Live Summer Series – 12:00 PM to 4:15 PM

🚢 Samson V Museum – 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM

💑 City Love Scavenger Hunt For Couples - New West Area – 1:00 PM

🎨 Origami with Yuki Anthony: Little Kids (3-6 years) – 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM

🍽 Community Lunch at You N Me' Cafe – 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🥞 FANDOM ALLEY | FREE Pancakes, Art Market, Board Games – 3:00 PM

🎨 Origami with Yuki Anthony: Big Kids (7-12 years) – 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM

🎙 Georgie's Local Sunday Night Open Mic! – 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🎲 NFMA Sunday Funday Bingo – 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM

🎨 River As A Muse at Anvil Centre

🌊 FRDC Summer Camps: Survival on the Fraser – 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

🎸 Kids Summer Rock Camp (August 17-21) – 9:30 AM

🧘 Peace, Be Still Monday Meditation – 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM

🎨 Acrylic Pouring at Arrieta Art Studio – 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

🧩 Steel & Oak Puzzle Mondays – 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

🎹 Group Piano Adults at Mechanics of Music Studio – 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM

🎨 Downtown’s Living Room at Anvil Centre – 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

🎙 Begbie's Open Mic – 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM

🎨 River As A Muse at Anvil Centre

Ready to serve, smash and have some fun before the fireworks? New Westminster’s waterfront is getting a new dose of friendly competition with the first-ever Fireworks Ping Pong Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Hosted at the newly opened Westminster Pier Park C, the tournament runs from 4 to 6 p.m., giving players a chance to break in the park’s new ping pong tables while enjoying the excitement of Fireworks Festival day.

The event promises more than just competition. A live DJ will provide the soundtrack, while local food vendors will be serving up eats as players and spectators soak in the waterfront atmosphere.

Whether you’re a serious table-tennis player or simply looking for a fun way to start your fireworks evening, the tournament offers a chance to challenge friends, meet fellow players and show off your skills.

Tickets start at $5, plus fees, and registration is available online. The tournament takes place at Westminster Pier Park C, 1 Sixth St.

Grab a Paddle and Register Today

Get ready for a big day of shopping, discovering and connecting in New Westminster! Royal City Centre is bringing back its RCC Trade Show on Aug. 23, promising a lively community event filled with local vendors, makers, artists, collectors and plenty of things to explore.

Billed as one of the Lower Mainland’s exciting community events, the trade show is expected to welcome thousands of visitors to Royal City Centre, also known as the city’s “Pokemall.”

Visitors can browse a wide range of vendors, discover unique products and collections, and enjoy giveaways and a full-day atmosphere built around shopping and community connections.

The event is also an opportunity for local entrepreneurs and creators to put their work in front of a large audience. Vendor applications are now open, with organizers encouraging makers, artists, collectors and businesses to secure a booth while spaces are available.

Whether you’re looking to discover something new or showcase something of your own, the RCC Trade Show is shaping up to be a busy day at one of New West’s familiar shopping destinations.

The Tin Man is hiding somewhere new, and the prize is still up for grabs. 👀

🎁 This week’s prize (August 13 - August 19):
A $25 from both Kinder Books & Wildfires Bookshop + an Art Basket from Royal City Literary Arts Society.

Visit Facebook and Instagram and drop your guess.

👉 Your play guide is here.

Thanks to Dynamic Health & Fitness and Fuel Hut for sponsoring

🕵 “The First Detective on the Scene” 🕵‍♀️ prize!

🌧️If it’s important, it pours.⚠️

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