Welcome to May Day weekend!
This Saturday, May 17, there will be a full on, non-stop festival of celebrations; the parade, food, music, vendors and great fun in downtown Madeira Park.
Hit the barbecue behind the Community Hall featuring Becky’s delicious chicken. The Harbour Gallery will be also be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drop in and see the new works on the walls.
Saturday will be the last Rhododendron Festival at Caron Gardens from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be more than 100 different rhododendrons in bloom and a kilometre of garden paths to explore. Admission is free as well as parking, refreshments, a flower show, tours and master gardener seminars.
Ron and Carla Knight are retiring as of Oct. 15 and Caron Gardens will close to the public. The Knights would like to thank Sunshine Coast residents who have shown interest in their garden in the past, and hope to see all of them once more before the closing date.
Saturday evening treat yourselves to great entertainment when Kenny Shaw and Brian Temple take the stage at the Pender Harbour Legion. Tickets are only $25 and include dinner.
On Tuesday, May 20, the Pender Harbour Wildlife Society welcomes guest speaker Mary Boulding Shiatsu practioner and certified herbalist. Her slideshow will include an overview of wild medicinal plants growing on the Sunshine Coast and their uses. Everyone is welcome to the meeting 7:30 p.m. at the Pender Harbour Secondary School. See www.penderharbourwildlife.com for more details.
Harbourside Friendships invites everyone to story time when they get together Thursday, May 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the Community Hall. Bring your favourite childhood memory to share with the group. Hot lunch will be served at noon for $10. For more information call Cathy at 604-883-9760.
Next Sunday, May 25 Andrea Superstein saucy, sultry songstress and favourite performer at the 2012 Pender Harbour Jazz festival will perform at 2 p.m. at the School of Music. Tickets are $25, available at Harbour insurance, John Henry’s, Sechelt Visitors Centre and Gaia’s Fair Trade.
Tickets are now available for the 11 annual Pender Harbour Blues Festival June 6 to 8 at the Village Vintner, Strait Music in Sechelt, and at www.penderharbourbluesfestival.com. Check out the fabulous line-up and schedule while you are there.
Contact me before 5 p.m. Mondays with your column items via email [email protected] or call 604-989-0851.