Sunrise Summer Kickoff in East Van. Photo: Hastings North BIA

Commercial Drive has long been the cultural hub of northeast Vancouver, but there are interesting things afoot in the “East Village” (the Hastings North BIA’s new branding for North Hastings). The Waldorf Hotel is emerging as a party destination–witness last week’s Canada Day Block Party as evidence–and this weekend the annual Sunrise Summer Kickoff festival on East Hastings is expected to attract more than 3,000 people.

A tradition in North Hastings, the Sunrise Summer Kickoff is a free, all-ages event that’s grown over 11 years to become one of the biggest street festivals in East Van. The festival includes live music, dozens of performers, lots of food and BBQ, a mini-carnival, and street hockey for kids (over 260 kids took part last year).

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East Van’s Sunrise Summer Kickoff Festival This Saturday, July 7