I’ve attended Hats Off Day almost every year since moving to the neighborhood in 2011. It’s Burnaby’s biggest festival and it’s been voted Burnaby’s best festival. It is a chance for the merchants of Burnaby Heights to “take their hats off” to this community, which continues to evolve with each passing year. The nature of the street festival reflects that, as you can see in this week’s vlog.
Something that I’ve mentioned before is that Burnaby Heights was traditionally a very Italian neighborhood, but these days you’ll find more pho and sushi restaurants along Hastings than pasta places. What’s great is that we are all able to come together to celebrate on days like this.
At Hats Off Day, There’s a big parade, followed by a big street party with lots of festival specials from the local merchants, live music, free activities and giveaways, a classic car show and shine, face painting, and so much more. Hats Off Day has always been a terrific way to kick off the summer, particularly when Mother Nature chooses to cooperate with some great weather.
Part of the day’s appeal has to do with the street food. Places like Fortuna Bakery break their own mold by offering grilled sardines and a bun, for instance, while places like Cioffi’s Meat Market celebrate with spit-roasted suckling pig and lamb. It’s tremendous. Some restaurants stick with their regular menu in a more “walk and eat” format too.
Kids can enjoy a range of gifts and activities too, most of which are free and others are made available for small donation. There was a woodworking shop, several balloon animal artist, a lucky duck pond with free toys and more. I look forward to coming back every year, even if wrangling an increasingly excitable toddler makes the walk a little more challenging.
This kicks off a series of street festivals in and around the Metro Vancouver area. Do you have a favorite?
Trackbacks/Pingbacks