Meet fellow dog owners and support a worthy kitty cause.
Here are a few fun ways to enjoy being out and about in Vancouver with – or for – your favourite furry friends.
Walk for the Kitties
Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue helps more than 1,400 felines every year. And they need your help! Join the cause by registering for this weekend’s 5K fun walk at Jericho Beach. Dog owners be not deterred — you and your leashed buddy are more than welcome to join the cause. Registration includes a T-shirt and swag bag.
When: May 15 at 10 a.m.
Where: 3941 Point Grey Rd, Vancouver
Cost: $27.54
Spring Paw-ty
Hit up plant-based dog food brand Virchew HQ in Kitsilano for their Spring Open House. This women-owned brand serves vegan meals to dogs across British Columbia. You won’t go hungry either. Say Hello Sweets, Yumy Candy, My Matcha Life, and more plan to dish up treats for the humans, too! There’s also the possibility to win two free months of Virchew’s Love Bowls food.
When: May 15 at 1 p.m.
Where: 2960 W 4th Ave, Vancouver
Cost: Free
Bark Park
In the words of your favourite canine classic, Go Dogs Go, “It’s a dog party!” Bring your pup to Bentall Centre’s Bark Park for rooftop views and ice-cold brews on Saturday, May 28, 1–7 pm. Located in the heart of downtown, the Bark Park features puppy portraits, a live DJ, and a North Point Brewing beer garden. Not to mention, many fellow dog lovers!
What began as a way for the community to support local businesses, restaurants, breweries and distilleries in Greeley has grown into a much-anticipated monthly networking event where many have formed friendships and business relationships.
The Greeley Mob Mixer, a monthly networking event, is the brainchild of Katie Gale, Ryan Roth, Beryl Durazo, Brady Hull and Emilio Vallejos. The five friends come from different backgrounds and businesses such as insurance, finance, the nonprofit sector and radio broadcasting.
“What we really wanted to do was bring the community out and have them start frequenting restaurants and other businesses that were really slow,” Gale said. “We knew they (local businesses) were having some slow times and it was hard to get business during COVID, so we wanted to help boost business.”
The group came up with the name “Greeley Mob Mixer” since the event would be like a flash mob-style gathering set for a pre-planned day at a specific location in Greeley. And with Wednesdays typically being a slower day during the week for businesses, Gale and the crew decided to host the event on Hump Day.
“So we would bring a ton of people into the business, they would get business, and all of us as business owners would be able to network, talk to each other and exchange business cards,” Gale said. “So it’s a win for us as business owners of the community and a win for the businesses that we frequent.”
The group’s most recent mixer took place Wednesday at WeldWerks Brewing Co., 508 8th Ave., with nearly 100 people shuffling into the brewery to enjoy some craft beer and food from the brewery’s new restaurant, The Annex. As bartenders kept the taps flowing filling up glasses, the kitchen was busy cranking out orders of fries with lemon aioli, pork belly lettuce wraps and other delectable eats.
In addition to WeldWerks, the group has hosted events at John Galt Coffee Co., The Kress Cinema and Lounge, Stella’s Pinball Arcade and Lounge and Crabtree Brewing Company.
In the beginning, the five founders figured they might get a draw of 15-20 people to each event. But news of the mob mixer spread like wildfire, and now, events draw two to three times that amount each month.
“The ability to mob a local business is awesome, and to give a business that exposure, especially when we were coming out of COVID, and have people spend money is really something special,” Roth said. “We have developed a really loyal following.”
Former Greeley city manager Roy Otto, The Myster Collection founder Paul Noffsinger and entrepreneur Zander Marshall were just a few of the folks who attended the event.
As mobbers made their way through the door at WeldWerks, Roth was busy greeting them and encouraging attendees to toss a business card into a bucket for a chance to win prizes.
First-timers and regulars were both welcomed with open arms and enthusiasm.
There are no dues, fees or cost to attend the mixers. All the founders ask is that you support the business hosting the event by purchasing food, drinks or other items. Mobbers can attend as many, or as few, mixers as they wish, and registration is not required to attend — just show up, meet people and have a good time.
“If you can make it great, if not, there will be another one next month,” Roth said. “It’s been amazing, and it truly is the highlight of my month to see this thing we have created and see these individuals together that might not have otherwise met one another and connected.”
The best part of attending mob mixers is that there’s no pressure to get up in front of everyone to give a 45-second elevator speech about who you are, what you do and why you are at the event.
With mixers taking place in a new location every month, mobbers get the opportunity to visit businesses and organizations they might not typically have the opportunity to go to or have even known about.
The group is also working on other ideas for mixers such as a poker walk in downtown Greeley in August.
“We just want to mix things up, socialize and have fun,” Roth added.
Mixers take place at 5 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month. Locations of the mixer are posted on the group’s Facebook page at https://bit.ly/37hZdY8.
Attendees don’t have to be business owners to attend. Staff, employees and representatives of businesses, organizations and nonprofits are also welcome to attend the monthly mob mixers. All ages are also welcome to attend.
For more information, questions or to inquire about becoming a host business for an event, email the Greeley Mob Mixer at greeleymobmixer@gmail.com.
Easter is the Christian holiday that celebrates the day Jesus returned from the dead after being hung on a cross. The holiday is often the marker that kicks off spring gardening and that warmer weather is on the way.
While Easter Sunday is the big day, the holiday is a weeklong affair, known as Holy Week, comprised of certain events and traditions in the Christian religion.
The week begins on Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, and culminates on Resurrection Sunday, or Easter Sunday.
Throughout the week, Christians will often take part in a variety of ceremonies that include feet washing, gathering palm fronds and abstaining from eating meat.
Christians typically describe Easter as a foundation of their faith and reason behind the belief that Jesus has risen, fulfilling the prophecies recorded in the Old Testament.
Religious or not, the holiday is often filled with family, friends and food.
If you aren’t singing “Here comes Peter Cottontail,” that may be because you don’t know about all the fun and festive events, activities and services taking place in celebration of the holiday.
So take a moment to check out this list of events and Easter services that are taking place before and during the Easter Weekend, or some activities that you can do at home to celebrate the Easter holiday.
Easter Events
Easter egg hunts aren’t just for kids. Adults are invited to take part in The Great Grown UP Golden Egg Hunt beginning Monday online. Hosted by Northern Colorado Credit Union, adults age 21 and older will solve daily clues to win one of two prizes. The event is free to play and more information including rules and a game card can be found by going to https://bit.ly/3NM5J9K.
Dust off your Easter baskets and head over to the Fort Collins Marketplace Easter Event at noon Saturday at College Avenue and Horsetooth Road. Participating merchants will be handing out eggs filled with goodies as supplies last. Festivities will include face painting, balloon twisting, a visit from the Easter Bunny and more. The event is free and open to all ages. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3DN7mzy.
The Ranch Event Complex is hosting a Spring Craft and Gift Show at 2 p.m. Friday, April 15 through 4 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at 5280 Arena Circle, Loveland. In addition to craft and art vendors, attendees can take part in an Easter egg hunt and toss and a chance to win $1,000 in cash. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3u7aUcq.
Westview Church of Christ is hosting a free Easter egg hunt from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at 4151 W. 20th St., Greeley. All ages are invited to come enjoy games, prizes, food, candy and a visit from the Easter Bunny. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3qZ1m1u.
Head over to Sweet Heart Winery at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday for Easter Wine and Chocolate Pairing at 5500 W. Highway 34, Loveland. The event will feature four wines paired with decadent chocolate from The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. The event is open to adults age 21 and older and tickets are $41.94 per person. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3JawPnA.
A community egg hunt is scheduled to take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16 at Bromley Farm, 1594 E. Bromley Lane, Brighton. The event will feature three different egg hunts by age group, crafts, egg coloring, baby animals, gunny sack races and more. The free event is open to all ages. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3KcrhKn.
Enjoy an Easter brunch and snuggle time with a variety of farm animals at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, April 17 at Broken Shovels Farm Sanctuary, 8640 Dahlia St., Henderson. Attendees of all ages are invited to enjoy food from Way Veg and mix and mingle with piglets, lambs, calves and more. Tickets are $27.24 per person. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3x0cKOp.
The annual Easter Egg Hunt at Wiley Roots Brewing Co. is set for noon Saturday, April 16 at 625 3rd. St., Greeley. Adults age 21 and older are invited to take part in collecting five eggs with the purchase of a full pour. Around 500 eggs will be hidden around the brewery for participants to find and win prizes. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3u4eQuB.
The Great Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt at Village at the Peaks is taking place daily from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 1250 S. Hover Road, Longmont. Participants will hunt for 60 hidden painted eggs for a chance to win prizes such as gift cards, free meals and $1,000 in cash. For more information, or to print out a game board, go to https://bit.ly/3Kcw6mX.
Celebrate Easter with the White Horse Inn at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 17 at 2750 8th Ave., Garden City. Festivities will include $10 hoppy shots bingo boards, free pool, a golden egg hunt, and eggs filled with prizes. The event is open to adults age 21 and older. For more information, contact the White Horse Inn at (970) 356-5386.
Easter Services
If you are looking for a Good Friday, Easter Sunday or even a Saturday service to attend, there is no shortage of churches in Greeley, Windsor, around Weld and Larimer counties and beyond.Whether you are looking for a sunrise service, a kid-friendly event or a Spanish service, check out these offerings that are set to take place.
The 75th annual Easter Sunrise Service at Red Rock Amphitheater is scheduled to take place in-person at 18300 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison. Doors open at 4:30 a.m. with the service beginning at 6 a.m. Participants are advised to arrive early and dress warm. Seats can be reserved by going to https://bit.ly/3j4Qfzz. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, go to https://bit.ly/3fpz37m.
Celebrate Good Friday with Windsor Community Church at 6:30 p.m. at 700 Automation Drive. Easter Sunday service will take place at 10:15 a.m. at Windsor High School, 1100 Main St. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, go to www.windsorchurch.org.
Connections Christian Church is hosting a Good Friday service at 6:30 p.m. an Easter Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. at Roosevelt High School, 616 N. 2nd St., Johnstown. All ages are invited to attend. For more information, go to www.connections.cc.
Journey Christian Church will be offering four different Easter services — 6 a.m., 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.— Sunday at 4754 W. 31st St., Greeley. The 6 a.m. service will take place outside, so attendees are urged to dress for chilly weather and bring a lawn chair. All ages are welcome to attend any of the four services. For more information, go to www.journeychristian.org.
Easter at Christ Community Church is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sunday at 1301 15th St., Greeley. All ages are invited to attend. For more information, go to www.cccgreeley.org.
Grace Community Church is offering Easter Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. Sunday at 2033 W. S. 1st St., Johnstown. The 10:15 a.m. service will feature Children’s and Youth ministries. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, go to www.graceconnect.com.
Greeley Vineyard Church will be hosting three Easter Sunday services — 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. — at 1015 9th Ave. All ages of new and returning members are welcome to attend. For more information, go to www.greeleyvineyard.org.
Easter at Restoration Church is set for 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Embassy Suites by Hilton Loveland Hotel, Conference Center and Spa, 4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland. All ages are invited to enjoy singing, prayer and more. For more information, go to www.restorationchurch.online.
Traverse Christian Church will be holding Easter service at 9 a.m. Sunday at 810 Automation Drive in Windsor. All ages are welcome to attend. For more information, go to www.traversechristian.com.
Celebrate Easter with City Lights Church at 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. Sunday at 4100 20th St., Greeley. Services are open to all ages and will include Crumbl Cookies, a children’s service and a photo area. For more information, go to www.citylights.church.
Easter activities
Of course, you can always opt to celebrate the holiday at home with family and friends. Here are some fun and creative activities that will make your Easter celebration one for the memory books.
Guess the number of jelly beans is a fun and easy indoor game for all ages. Simply fill up a jar with vibrant colored jelly beans (be sure to count them while filling) and ask each family member and guest to give their best guess. The winner closest to the number without going over receives the entire jar as a prize.
Go with an old school game of egg and spoon races. You can use hard boiled or raw eggs, depending on how much mess you want to clean up and a metal or wooden spoon. Races can be individual or a relay style to kick the competition up a notch.
Make Easter easy by hosting a potluck lunch with friends and family. Ask each guest to bring a side dish, salad, dessert or other item. Pick up some to-go containers at the Dollar Store to pack up and share the leftovers with the crowd.
Like gingerbread houses during Christmas, get the kids and teens involved in building Peeps houses. You can use graham crackers for the walls and roof and frosting to glue it all together. Lay out a variety of decorations such as jelly beans, sprinkles, colored frosting and other candies.
Instead of spending the afternoon in the kitchen cooking the traditional ham or lamb, do a late afternoon picnic with finger foods, sandwiches, chips and dip, fruit and other easy to transport food items. Bring a blanket, some fun books to read to the kids, a couple of outdoor games and enjoy the holiday in the sunshine.
It isn’t really Easter without coloring eggs. Make the project easy by setting up egg coloring outside on the lawn or driveway. Bring out the sidewalk chalk for a full day of coloring and creativity for family members of all ages.
Not really a fan of boiled eggs? Then opt to decorate cupcakes. You can make or buy vanilla cupcakes and decorate them with vibrant colored sprinkles and sugar, marshmallows, food coloring, candies and other fun edible items. For a great vanilla cupcake recipe, check out The Pioneer Woman at https://bit.ly/37iMQdC.