Street Party Bonanza | Canada Line Summer Fest vs. Commercial Drive Car-free Action

Stilt walker crazies at the Commercial Drive Car-Free Festival

There's never enough time on weekends, but the lack of sleep I've had in the last month is an indication that, yes, my friends, summer is kickin' it up a notch -- even if the weather's gotten a little grey in the last couple of days. Street party action continues this weekend with Saturday's festival to celebrate shopping on the Canada Line (whether you wanna support the line, or shopping, or not) and Sunday's 2nd installment of the action-packed Commercial Drive's Car-Free Festival.

Yaletown Street Party
Location: Yaletown | Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Of all the Canada Line shindigs, this seems like the only one making an effort -- or maybe the only association with enough sponsors -- reeling in weekend suburbanites with a specialty car show. Wow. Hold me back now. Okay, there's actually some more stuff, including a celebrity chef cook-off and beer tents. Turn off your reality TV set and come out and see how the yuppies live. They want to be loved, too.

Cambie Village Neighbourhood Appreciation Day
Location: Cambie Street, around West 17th & 18th | Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
You'll just have to ignore the huge pit at the foot of the hill, not to mention the masses of construction dividing the street to enjoy this party. Drivers will most likely avoid this area anyway because driving is horrible, but there is a free shuttle available to connect the Canada Line parties if you're that bothered. Let's see if it will actually convince some of the drivers out there to leave their car at the original destination. I'm thinking maybe not. Live music, a kids' zone, and the stores who are suffering enough will be handing out free cake and special incentives for you to come over and be their friend for a few short hours. In short, what I'm saying is... try to support the local businesses outside of this one special day. That's all.

Oak Ridge Summer Sun and Salsa
Location: Oak Ridge Mall (Cambie & West 41st) | Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Summer and salsa isn't the first thing that pops to mind when I think about Oak Ridge Mall, but they wanted in on the action, too, and will be providing some parking lot shenanigans involving zesty music and fashion shows. However, if you're really looking for zesty Latin American interaction and food, I suggest attending Blim Arts Society's Baja Fish Taco Party on Saturday afternoon instead.

Downtown Granville Summer Sizzle
Location: Downtown Granville Street, around the 800-900 block | Time: 12:00pm - 4:00pm
There's enough action happening around Downtown Granville on a regular weekend that the Downtown Business Improvement Association didn't feel the need to promote this as much as they could. I don't think the delirious weekend shoppers will notice a difference anyway unless the Pepsi Challenge truck is around. That's a certain sign of a street party if there ever was one.

Commercial Drive Car-Free Festival
Location: Commercial Drive (between 1st and Venables) | Time: 12:00pm - 6:00pm
Whether you love or hate East Vanada, the Drive knows how to put on a street party. This is probably your best bet if you want an interactive festival that truly honours the pedestrian. But between the music, plays, and crazy bikes, you'll probably encounter a whack load of grassroots activist stalls, interactive community-building games, and a lot of in-your-face characters... So if people ain't your thing, maybe this won't be either.

But then I'd suggest you just stay at home all weekend, and that wouldn't be fun at all.