Celebrate the Earth around Metro this weekend

Happy Earth Day. Although April 22 is the official international Earth Day, most communities around Metro Vancouver are holding events this weekend. Here are five things to do on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the Earth and observe the environment.

1. In Vancouver, one of the most popular Earth Day events is the Commercial Drive celebration. There’s a parade at Commercial and Broadway and then a festival continues throughout the afternoon at Grandview Park. When: Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.

Where: The parade will begin at Commercial and Broadway. Info: earthdayparade.ca

2. The Earth Day celebration in North Vancouver this year is at Wagg Creek Park. City staff, Evergreen and other groups will be on hand to remove invasive plants. There will also a variety of community display booths, a leaf-litter compost sale and great prizes to be won. Tools to dig the plants and light refreshments will be provided. When: Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.

Where: Wagg Creek Park, North Vancouver Info: cnv.org

3. Possibly the largest free Earth Day event in the Lower Mainland, Surrey’s Party for the Planet is on again this year on Saturday. The city says there will be concerts and performances on different stages. Also at this year’s event are the Raptor Ridge Birds of Prey exhibit, Franklin the Turtle and Bobs and Lolo to entertain the children. When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where: The Plaza at City Hall, 13450 104th Ave.

Info: surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet

4. What better way to observe Earth Day than to learn about those buzzy little protectors of the planet. Learn about Burnaby’s mason bee condo volunteer program and join beekeeper Andrew Scott to observe an active demonstration hive at the Happy Earth Day Pollinator Workshop. When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon Where: Discovery Room in Burnaby Village Museum Info: Burnaby.ca

5. Celebrate the planet on Earth Day at Stanley Park’s Nature House. Try your hand at weaving invasive species into useful bionets with environmental artist Sharon Kallis. Or, gather invasive species at a plant pull in the park with the Stanley Park Ecology Society conservation team. There will be a new Conservation Corner exhibit at the Nature House to learn about invasive species. When: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Stanley Park Nature House, Lagoon Drive Info: stanleyparkecology.ca