Latest news with #LEGO
The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
'The joy of LEGO': fun for all ages at Newcastle Brickfest
Generations of children have a LEGO story to tell. Kevin Evans, now an adult, is no exception. "Like many kids, my earliest memories are filled with the joy of LEGO sets received for birthdays and Christmases. Back then, the bricks were simpler yet just as magical, connecting seamlessly with today's intricate designs - a testament to LEGO's timeless genius," he tells Weekender from his home in Anna Bay. "As I entered my teenage years, other interests took hold, and my beloved bricks quietly slipped into storage for a long 30-year hiatus. "Then, about 15 years ago, fate (or perhaps a very clever gift-giver) intervened. Our son received a LEGO set for his birthday, and as I sat down to help him build, something clicked back into place. A few months later, he excitedly showed me the magnificent Tower Bridge set. That was it. I had to have it!" LEGO brought the Evans family together. It became a shared family passion. "Wearing her dedicated school fundraiser hat, my wife spearheaded our very first fundraising event in 2011 for our son's primary school. The success was incredible, and soon, other schools and organisations began approaching us, eager for us to bring the brick magic to their communities," Kevin says. "It was this amazing momentum that led us to officially form Rainbow Bricks in 2013, turning a family hobby into a vibrant community group, all built on the enduring love of LEGO." Rainbow Bricks is a Recognised LEGO User Group, which is a formal designation given by The LEGO Group to a community of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs). This recognition is part of the LEGO Ambassador Network, which is a program designed to foster collaboration between LEGO and the global fan community. Rainbow Bricks was officially recognised by LEGO in January 2014 and is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing together AFOLs and their families. "We have over 130 members and focus on building camaraderie, collaborative experiences and fundraising for our charity partners," Kevin says. "Anyone can display with Rainbow Bricks and share their love for LEGO. To become a member of Rainbow Bricks, you need to have displayed twice at our events before we will invite you to become a member." Rainbow Bricks is primarily an adult community, but its events are family-friendly, and many member families display together. Newcastle Brickfest is Rainbow Bricks' flagship event, held annually at locations across Newcastle, the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and the Mid North Coast. It is considered one of Australia's premier LEGO fan events and is the largest in NSW. This year's event, on July 5 and 6 at Newcastle Racecourse, will feature more than 270 tables of LEGO creations and raise money for John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club. "Last year, we managed to donate over $30,000 to the Kids Club, which was used to purchase additional equipment for the hospital," Kevin says. "This year, we're running the event over two full days and have added a Sensory Section for anyone who finds the crowd a bit overwhelming. "You'll see original creations from some of Australia's best builders, including a few LEGO master builders, and builders who have been featured in the LEGO House's displays of Masterpiece Builds in Billund, Denmark." The dedicated Sensory Section will be operational on Sunday, July 6, 9am to 10.30am, offering a calm and welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Brickfest 2025 activities will include: What is it about LEGO that has proven so enduring, I ask? Why do people love it so much? "It encourages imagination for all ages," Kevin replies. "LEGO has a versatile design, meaning bricks from any era interlock, fostering endless creativity. They are high-quality bricks that withstand the years of play. It also aids children's fine motor skills and enhances their problem-solving abilities, and many adults revisit LEGO through fond childhood memories, providing engaging, screen-free fun." Generations of children have a LEGO story to tell. Kevin Evans, now an adult, is no exception. "Like many kids, my earliest memories are filled with the joy of LEGO sets received for birthdays and Christmases. Back then, the bricks were simpler yet just as magical, connecting seamlessly with today's intricate designs - a testament to LEGO's timeless genius," he tells Weekender from his home in Anna Bay. "As I entered my teenage years, other interests took hold, and my beloved bricks quietly slipped into storage for a long 30-year hiatus. "Then, about 15 years ago, fate (or perhaps a very clever gift-giver) intervened. Our son received a LEGO set for his birthday, and as I sat down to help him build, something clicked back into place. A few months later, he excitedly showed me the magnificent Tower Bridge set. That was it. I had to have it!" LEGO brought the Evans family together. It became a shared family passion. "Wearing her dedicated school fundraiser hat, my wife spearheaded our very first fundraising event in 2011 for our son's primary school. The success was incredible, and soon, other schools and organisations began approaching us, eager for us to bring the brick magic to their communities," Kevin says. "It was this amazing momentum that led us to officially form Rainbow Bricks in 2013, turning a family hobby into a vibrant community group, all built on the enduring love of LEGO." Rainbow Bricks is a Recognised LEGO User Group, which is a formal designation given by The LEGO Group to a community of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs). This recognition is part of the LEGO Ambassador Network, which is a program designed to foster collaboration between LEGO and the global fan community. Rainbow Bricks was officially recognised by LEGO in January 2014 and is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing together AFOLs and their families. "We have over 130 members and focus on building camaraderie, collaborative experiences and fundraising for our charity partners," Kevin says. "Anyone can display with Rainbow Bricks and share their love for LEGO. To become a member of Rainbow Bricks, you need to have displayed twice at our events before we will invite you to become a member." Rainbow Bricks is primarily an adult community, but its events are family-friendly, and many member families display together. Newcastle Brickfest is Rainbow Bricks' flagship event, held annually at locations across Newcastle, the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and the Mid North Coast. It is considered one of Australia's premier LEGO fan events and is the largest in NSW. This year's event, on July 5 and 6 at Newcastle Racecourse, will feature more than 270 tables of LEGO creations and raise money for John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club. "Last year, we managed to donate over $30,000 to the Kids Club, which was used to purchase additional equipment for the hospital," Kevin says. "This year, we're running the event over two full days and have added a Sensory Section for anyone who finds the crowd a bit overwhelming. "You'll see original creations from some of Australia's best builders, including a few LEGO master builders, and builders who have been featured in the LEGO House's displays of Masterpiece Builds in Billund, Denmark." The dedicated Sensory Section will be operational on Sunday, July 6, 9am to 10.30am, offering a calm and welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Brickfest 2025 activities will include: What is it about LEGO that has proven so enduring, I ask? Why do people love it so much? "It encourages imagination for all ages," Kevin replies. "LEGO has a versatile design, meaning bricks from any era interlock, fostering endless creativity. They are high-quality bricks that withstand the years of play. It also aids children's fine motor skills and enhances their problem-solving abilities, and many adults revisit LEGO through fond childhood memories, providing engaging, screen-free fun." Generations of children have a LEGO story to tell. Kevin Evans, now an adult, is no exception. "Like many kids, my earliest memories are filled with the joy of LEGO sets received for birthdays and Christmases. Back then, the bricks were simpler yet just as magical, connecting seamlessly with today's intricate designs - a testament to LEGO's timeless genius," he tells Weekender from his home in Anna Bay. "As I entered my teenage years, other interests took hold, and my beloved bricks quietly slipped into storage for a long 30-year hiatus. "Then, about 15 years ago, fate (or perhaps a very clever gift-giver) intervened. Our son received a LEGO set for his birthday, and as I sat down to help him build, something clicked back into place. A few months later, he excitedly showed me the magnificent Tower Bridge set. That was it. I had to have it!" LEGO brought the Evans family together. It became a shared family passion. "Wearing her dedicated school fundraiser hat, my wife spearheaded our very first fundraising event in 2011 for our son's primary school. The success was incredible, and soon, other schools and organisations began approaching us, eager for us to bring the brick magic to their communities," Kevin says. "It was this amazing momentum that led us to officially form Rainbow Bricks in 2013, turning a family hobby into a vibrant community group, all built on the enduring love of LEGO." Rainbow Bricks is a Recognised LEGO User Group, which is a formal designation given by The LEGO Group to a community of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs). This recognition is part of the LEGO Ambassador Network, which is a program designed to foster collaboration between LEGO and the global fan community. Rainbow Bricks was officially recognised by LEGO in January 2014 and is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing together AFOLs and their families. "We have over 130 members and focus on building camaraderie, collaborative experiences and fundraising for our charity partners," Kevin says. "Anyone can display with Rainbow Bricks and share their love for LEGO. To become a member of Rainbow Bricks, you need to have displayed twice at our events before we will invite you to become a member." Rainbow Bricks is primarily an adult community, but its events are family-friendly, and many member families display together. Newcastle Brickfest is Rainbow Bricks' flagship event, held annually at locations across Newcastle, the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and the Mid North Coast. It is considered one of Australia's premier LEGO fan events and is the largest in NSW. This year's event, on July 5 and 6 at Newcastle Racecourse, will feature more than 270 tables of LEGO creations and raise money for John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club. "Last year, we managed to donate over $30,000 to the Kids Club, which was used to purchase additional equipment for the hospital," Kevin says. "This year, we're running the event over two full days and have added a Sensory Section for anyone who finds the crowd a bit overwhelming. "You'll see original creations from some of Australia's best builders, including a few LEGO master builders, and builders who have been featured in the LEGO House's displays of Masterpiece Builds in Billund, Denmark." The dedicated Sensory Section will be operational on Sunday, July 6, 9am to 10.30am, offering a calm and welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Brickfest 2025 activities will include: What is it about LEGO that has proven so enduring, I ask? Why do people love it so much? "It encourages imagination for all ages," Kevin replies. "LEGO has a versatile design, meaning bricks from any era interlock, fostering endless creativity. They are high-quality bricks that withstand the years of play. It also aids children's fine motor skills and enhances their problem-solving abilities, and many adults revisit LEGO through fond childhood memories, providing engaging, screen-free fun." Generations of children have a LEGO story to tell. Kevin Evans, now an adult, is no exception. "Like many kids, my earliest memories are filled with the joy of LEGO sets received for birthdays and Christmases. Back then, the bricks were simpler yet just as magical, connecting seamlessly with today's intricate designs - a testament to LEGO's timeless genius," he tells Weekender from his home in Anna Bay. "As I entered my teenage years, other interests took hold, and my beloved bricks quietly slipped into storage for a long 30-year hiatus. "Then, about 15 years ago, fate (or perhaps a very clever gift-giver) intervened. Our son received a LEGO set for his birthday, and as I sat down to help him build, something clicked back into place. A few months later, he excitedly showed me the magnificent Tower Bridge set. That was it. I had to have it!" LEGO brought the Evans family together. It became a shared family passion. "Wearing her dedicated school fundraiser hat, my wife spearheaded our very first fundraising event in 2011 for our son's primary school. The success was incredible, and soon, other schools and organisations began approaching us, eager for us to bring the brick magic to their communities," Kevin says. "It was this amazing momentum that led us to officially form Rainbow Bricks in 2013, turning a family hobby into a vibrant community group, all built on the enduring love of LEGO." Rainbow Bricks is a Recognised LEGO User Group, which is a formal designation given by The LEGO Group to a community of Adult Fans of LEGO (AFOLs). This recognition is part of the LEGO Ambassador Network, which is a program designed to foster collaboration between LEGO and the global fan community. Rainbow Bricks was officially recognised by LEGO in January 2014 and is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to bringing together AFOLs and their families. "We have over 130 members and focus on building camaraderie, collaborative experiences and fundraising for our charity partners," Kevin says. "Anyone can display with Rainbow Bricks and share their love for LEGO. To become a member of Rainbow Bricks, you need to have displayed twice at our events before we will invite you to become a member." Rainbow Bricks is primarily an adult community, but its events are family-friendly, and many member families display together. Newcastle Brickfest is Rainbow Bricks' flagship event, held annually at locations across Newcastle, the Central Coast, Hunter Valley and the Mid North Coast. It is considered one of Australia's premier LEGO fan events and is the largest in NSW. This year's event, on July 5 and 6 at Newcastle Racecourse, will feature more than 270 tables of LEGO creations and raise money for John Hunter Children's Hospital Kids Club. "Last year, we managed to donate over $30,000 to the Kids Club, which was used to purchase additional equipment for the hospital," Kevin says. "This year, we're running the event over two full days and have added a Sensory Section for anyone who finds the crowd a bit overwhelming. "You'll see original creations from some of Australia's best builders, including a few LEGO master builders, and builders who have been featured in the LEGO House's displays of Masterpiece Builds in Billund, Denmark." The dedicated Sensory Section will be operational on Sunday, July 6, 9am to 10.30am, offering a calm and welcoming environment for individuals with sensory sensitivities. Brickfest 2025 activities will include: What is it about LEGO that has proven so enduring, I ask? Why do people love it so much? "It encourages imagination for all ages," Kevin replies. "LEGO has a versatile design, meaning bricks from any era interlock, fostering endless creativity. They are high-quality bricks that withstand the years of play. It also aids children's fine motor skills and enhances their problem-solving abilities, and many adults revisit LEGO through fond childhood memories, providing engaging, screen-free fun."
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Tech Advancements In Experiential Marketing
Swish Goswami, building the next big sci-fi franchise at Parallel Studios. Experiential marketing isn't new, but the way brands are activating now is at a totally different level. We're seeing companies go beyond billboards and banner ads to create tech-forward experiences that get people talking, sharing and remembering. This isn't just about pop-up shops or influencer selfies anymore. It's now about building striking moments that live both in real life and the digital world. Moments that make people stop, stay and share. As consumer expectations rise, brands are finding new ways to connect through events that are emotional, interactive and often powered by next-gen tech. Companies That Are Taking Experiential Marketing To The Next Level During the Miami Grand Prix in May 2025, the two brands pulled off an absolutely wild activation: 10 full-size F1 cars made entirely out of LEGO bricks. We're talking over 400,000 pieces per car that took 22,000 hours to build and was brought to life by a team of 26 designers. These LEGO cars were actually driven during the drivers' parade, turning heads and taking over every social feed that weekend. This is what next-level experiential marketing looks like and is the kind of stuff that grabs attention and actually gets people talking (social media is still buzzing over this). For LEGO, it was a flex in creativity and brand nostalgia, staying true to their brand's promise: 'Give people the bricks and they can build anything they can imagine.' For Formula 1, it was a smart move to connect with younger fans and families who might not normally be trackside. Coca-Cola rolled out an augmented reality (AR) vending machine that took things to a whole new level in 2024. Using Snapchat's technology, the company created a unique piece of technology that not only allowed users to purchase its iconic beverage but also "experience the magic as they play, engage, virtually try on exclusive merch, and explore trending Snap AR lenses." This one is just cool! It's playful, unexpected and totally reimagines what a brand interaction can look like. More brands should be thinking this way. Netflix is turning empty mall spaces into full-on Netflix House experiences, and it's honestly genius. Starting this year, the company is opening up massive venues (we're talking 100,000-plus square feet) in Galleria Dallas and King of Prussia near Philly. Fans will be able to eat at Netflix-themed restaurants, cop show merch and actually step into their favorite series, like dancing through the Bridgerton ballroom or taking on the Squid Game Glass Bridge. This is the kind of move that keeps fans well-connected beyond the screen. I can't wait to see it! 7-Eleven is going all-in on music culture this year with its exclusive partnership with Live Nation, locking in naming rights for major festivals like When We Were Young, Governors Ball and Rolling Loud. It's a smart move that shows how the brand is meeting the right moment and bringing the right vibe to the right crowd. It's all designed to connect with Gen Z and audiences through real in-person experiences. This isn't just about product placement—it's about showing up in culture and turning festivals into brand worlds. This isn't about logos on a stage—it's about showing up in culture and building something people remember. Anker absolutely nailed it at Coachella this year. As the official charging partner of the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, it didn't just plug in a few outlets; rather, the company built a full-on power zone for campers. Its Supercharging Hub had everything from a claw machine full of power banks and exclusive merch to a solar-powered car camping showcase that felt super on-brand. This well-thought-out partnership really makes people appreciate the brand more. It's a great example of how smart experiential can look when it's done right. What Makes Great Experiential Marketing Work So what do all these activations have in common? They hit three key things: 1. They're worth showing up for. People actually want to be there—not just for the brand but for the moment. 2. They feel intentional. Nothing is random. Every detail adds to the vibe and makes it feel real. 3. They get shared. Whether it's a selfie, a story or just a memory, people leave talking about it and wanting to tell their friends about it. That's the blueprint. It doesn't matter if you're using AI, virtual reality (VR) or building something by hand—if you make someone feel something, you're doing it right (that is the essence of true marketing). In a world drowning in digital noise, this is how you actually show up. Experiential marketing isn't just a trend. It's a shift from the digital back to the physical. It's a reminder that the best brand moments don't feel like marketing at all—they feel like something you were meant to be part of. The future's not just digital. It's live. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Forbes
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Nike Dunk X LEGO (43008) Review: A Strangely Satisfying Set
The Nike Dunk x LEGO 43008 set is a joy to build, and looks great anywhere. When the Nike Dunk x LEGO (43008) set was first revealed in late May, one question immediately came to mind: who is it actually for? According to Nike and LEGO, it's for everyone — and after you've built it, you'll find it hard to disagree. As one of the more overtly promotional LEGO creations in recent memory, this modular, three-part Nike Dunk x LEGO (43008) set for ages 10 and above — the first of several builds launched as part of the duo's summertime partnership — kicks off the pair's joint initiative to promote youth sport and creative play, unsurprisingly complementing this drive with co-branded apparel and bricks. However cynical you may be about this set, it isn't LEGO's first collaboration with a massive sportswear brand. It presumably signals the end of its work with Adidas, which reached a high and/or low with the bizarre and somewhat ugly Adidas Originals Superstar (10282), complete with actual laces. It bore only a passing resemblance to the shoe (even the 40486 miniature LEGO Superstar promo set was more recognizable); LEGO 10282 will be remembered as an 18+ set for a niche audience of Run-DMC fans and anyone else who liked street clothes popularized over 40 years ago (guilty!). Unlike the LEGO Superstar, and whether you're a sneakerhead or not, the Nike set isn't just great to look at — it's an absolute pleasure to build. Three's no crowd The Nike Dunk x LEGO (43008) set comes in at 1,180 bricks, separated into three separate builds over ten bags: the Nike Dunk shoe (bags one to three), the Dunk stand (four to seven), and the rotating basketball (eight to ten). With three separate instruction booklets, it's a good project for families or groups to work on together. Choose your weapon. Straight out of the box — thankfully, another sliding-lid package that avoids you having to tear it open — you realize that LEGO is still in a transitional phase with its sustainable packaging. The excellent Mario and Standard Kart (72037) set went all-in on the paper-style packets, but the Nike LEGO set still has plastic polybags. Still, there's a sustainability advert in the instruction booklets, which themselves are wrapped in a new-style paper pack. One thing immediately worth noting about the build as a whole is that it comes in at around 8.5 cents per block, which is great value for a branded set — especially a debut collaboration with another major label like Nike — but from the first moments of the build, it's surprising how many large pieces there are, particularly with the 'DUNK' stand. Giving it the boot The star of the show — the Nike Dunk — is first up. You know it's going to be a good build when the first bag has only four stud bricks. Over these three packs, you get to appreciate a combination of clever design and outright simplicity. The build itself is surprisingly quick, and the only part of the set that requires stickers. There are 18 in all, with eight for each set of laces, and a further pair for the top strap eyelets; the toecap, tongue, rear, and foothole cover are all printed. It's a steady but occasionally tricky build. The tongue uses a Technic-style hinge to reveal the central compartment, but you never feel like you've placed it back correctly. The Nike swooshes are a bit hard to attach until you realize they line up with the back design. The heel cap, too, is prone to exploding in your hands due to the force you need to put on two side-by-side 90-degree-curve towers, which are only connected at the top and bottom. The toe and heel caps connect perfectly. The most impressive technical feat of the entire Nike Dunk x LEGO build can be found on the toecap and heel connectors: incredibly clever, light-touch solutions that combine the classic modified 1x2 horizontal clip (6313116) with the 1x2 hinge clip (6266209), providing just enough resistance to keep it in place while allowing for easy separation with minimal force and no wiggling. Admittedly, though, the 'storage' chambers are a little silly. The toe cap seems purposefully reserved for the bonus extra teal-sea-colored laces for 'custom color swap-outs,' which I personally don't think match the set. You also can't use it as a pen pot. Luckily, the instructions and promo videos suggest wireless headphones or keys; Nike suggests 'championship rings.' Hmm. The Nike Dunk x LEGO 43008 set's Dunk shoe from above. The Nike Dunk's biggest strength is its symmetry. Whereas the much larger Superstar was modelled after a right foot, this keeps things simple, meaning it's gorgeous from any angle. Making a stand The real value of the set comes with the DUNK display. Building up from a subtle exclamation mark base, the Nike Dunk x LEGO (43008) set's middle four bags are full of chunky pieces, but they're still delicately used to deliver the effortless italicization of the 'DUNK' letters. The DUNK stand taking shape. It takes you a little while to fully appreciate it, but by bag six, you really respect the cleverness of the display — it's a feat of engineering, and you see where the LEGO team has carefully prioritized sturdiness while simultaneously preserving the final finish. Topping things off is the basketball's mechanism, which is tucked away at the back and overlaps the stand's brace piece. It doesn't work until the final stage, and you've got an ironically deflating finish to the build before you see it in action. Not having a ball The Nike Dunk x LEGO 43008 set ends on the most boring part of the build. The basketball looks great once everything's said and done, but it's repetitive and technical, with multiple smaller pieces that demand your full attention — I don't make building mistakes often, but I had three during this final section. The Nike Dunk x LEGO basketball build is tricky. The center of the construction is a surprisingly strong six-way Technic spoke, which makes the build look more like an orange TIE Fighter after you've completed the first two panels. Still, you once again appreciate the design of the basketball's iconic black lines, and a single hole for the connector piece, which slots straight into the stand without affecting the ball's design. Much like the Dunk shoe, this section is surprisingly heavy, but it feels safe and secure, and no amount of fast spinning will throw the build off its center of gravity. The rear of the set. Fun for everyone When it's all said and done, the Nike Dunk x LEGO (43008) set is stunning to look at, and just about the right size — given the DUNK lettering already makes it a statement piece, you wouldn't want it any bigger. There are a couple of criticisms. The storage elements of the Nike Dunk are remarkably limited, so don't buy this if you expressly hope to use it as a desk tidy. Similarly, it's hard to understand why Nike and LEGO have emphasized the ability to swap four blue, three-piece laces for a quartet of slightly different green ones, which themselves don't look all that great on a high-top that's essentially perfect in a two-tone finish. Finally, if you're building it as a group and you're the sole adult, let the younger ones build the shoe and stand — those final three bags are a bit of a chore. Still, my head's been turned by this one. The Nike Dunk x LEGO 43008 set is a joy to build and looks great anywhere. It'll be interesting to see where the Nike x LEGO partnership goes next; Air Jordans may be too similar, and Air Max may be a little dull. The NBA may be an obvious next step — both for collectible team-based minifigs, or maybe we'll see something like the Icons of Play (40634), but on a basketball court. The minifigure from this Nike Dunk set would fit right in.
CTV News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Young Toronto girl is building a name for herself in the world of LEGO
Toronto Watch A young Toronto girl is building a name for herself in the world of LEGO. She is getting ready to compete on the international stage in a competition for LEGO builders. CTV's Jessica Smith has the story.
CTV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Things to do in Metro Vancouver on the last weekend of June
The last weekend of June is a little less jam-packed with events than previous ones this month, with many upcoming summer festivals happening on Canada Day, rather than Saturday or Sunday. Still, there's plenty to do in Metro Vancouver before the country celebrates its 158th birthday on Tuesday. Here are some options. New Science World exhibit Science World's new exhibit "Artemis Space Adventure with LEGO Bricks" opened to the public this week. Featuring 'larger-than-life LEGO sculptures, hands-on engineering challenges, and collaborative workshop stations designed to ignite creativity,' the exhibition draws its inspiration from NASA's Artemis program, which aims to send humans to the moon for the first time since 1972. The exhibit will be at Science World through April 6, 2026, so visitors who don't make it on opening weekend will have plenty of time to check it out. Theatre Under the Stars This weekend also marks the start of a new season of Theatre Under the Stars, with preview performances of this year's productions of Roald Dahl's 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'Legally Blonde' scheduled for Friday through Monday. Opening night will be July 2 for the former and July 3 for the latter. The annual run of live, outdoor theatre in Stanley Park's Malkin Bowl will continue through Aug. 16. A full schedule and ticket information is available on the TUTS website. Surrey Pride 2025 The 26th Annual Surrey Pride Festival will be held Saturday in the city's Civic Plaza from noon to 7 p.m. Started in the late 1990s as a response to efforts to ban books in the Surrey School District, the event has grown into an annual celebration featuring dozens of vendors and live performances. A performance schedule can be found on the Surrey Pride website. Pollinator Picnic at UBC UBC Farm is hosting several special activities during its weekly farmer's market this Saturday, all to celebrate the pollinators that make the food system possible. Among the free events scheduled are tours of the farm and various pollinator-related projects currently in progress there, as well as graduate student talks and kids' colouring activities. There will also be tea tastings and a 'meet n' treat' with bunnies from Rabbitats rabbit rescue by donation. The 'Pollinator Picnic' runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. More information can be found on the UBC Farm website. Portobello West Summer Market Portobello West will host the first of two summer markets at VanDusen Botanical Garden's Floral Hall on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Featuring '39 local B.C. makers of family fashion, jewelry, art, home decor, skincare, gourmet treats, wine and spirits, and more,' the market is free to enter. Organizers will hold a second summer market at VanDusen on Aug. 16.
