The Labour Day long weekend, the unofficial end of summer, has arrived in Metro Vancouver. Before kids head back to school and the sights, sounds and flavours of fall take over, here are some events to savour before the seasons change. Last weekend of the PNE The annual PNE Fair wraps on on Monday, making this weekend the last chance to sample the fair food, ride the rides or take in a show. Among the attractions this weekend are the two-day Tatus Festival on Friday and Saturday, as well as Summer Night Concerts from Earth, Wind and Fire, Pierce the Veil, Sarah McLachlan, and Boy George and Culture Club. Car Free Day on the Drive The first of two Vancouver Car Free Day festivals this year will take place on Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. on Commercial Drive. The street will be closed to traffic from South Grandview Highway to First Avenue as local performers take to three stages set up along the route. Next weekend, it’s Mount Pleasant’s turn. For more information, visit the Car Free Vancouver website. Vancouver Taiwanfest The annual festival that explores the connections between Taiwan, Canada and the world is returning to various venues around downtown Vancouver this weekend. Taiwanfest will have a stage and a market set up in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square, the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Saturday through Monday. It will also close two blocks of Granville Street during that time, and there are events scheduled at the Vancouver Playhouse, the Annex and Vancouver Public Library over the three days. Admission is free, but some performances and workshops require registration. A full schedule of events and offerings can be found on the Taiwanfest website. Nikkei Matsuri Japanese summer festival The Nikkei National Museum and Cultural Centre in Burnaby will host its annual Nikkei Matsuri Japanese summer festival this weekend, beginning with an outdoor dance party from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. The festival proper runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, featuring more than 20 food options, a beer and sake garden, live performances, multiple marketplaces, Japanese festival games and more. Admission is $12 online in advance and $15 at the door, though children, seniors and museum members get in for free. Crave Halal Fest A two-day halal food festival is coming to Surrey Civic Plaza this weekend. Crave Halal Fest takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. In addition to a dozen food vendors, organizers promise retail and community booths and family friendly activities. Our Neck of the Woods Festival Head out to Maple Ridge’s Memorial Peace Park on Saturday for the annual Our Neck of the Woods Festival. The free event features live music, food trucks, craft beer, a community marketplace, Maple Ridge’s version of Car Free Day and more. The festival runs from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Visit the city’s website for more information. For the sports fans All three of Metro Vancouver’s professional soccer clubs are in action at home this weekend, beginning with Vancouver Rise FC’s NSL match against the Halifax Tides at Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Later that night, the Vancouver Whitecaps take on St. Louis City at 7:30 p.m. at B.C. Place. On Sunday, it’s Vancouver FC’s turn, as the CPL club welcomes Supra Du Quebec to Langley at 3 p.m.
