The 6th Annual World Junior A Challenge is coming to the Langley Events Centre November 7-13, 2011.

35 players are attending this selection camp, most of whom will be trying out for the honour of pulling on a Maple Leaf sweater for the first time in their careers.

There are 18 players from the BCHL attending the camp, 16 of whom are B.C. natives. Kent Lewis of the Powell River Kings is the head coach of this year’s team and will try to unseat the defending champion U.S.A team.

13 first-round NHL picks have played in this event since its inception in 2006 including Joe Colborne, Kyle Turris, Dmitry Kulikov, Alexander Burmistrov, Beau Bennett, Dylan Olsen, Brendan Smith and Jaden Schwartz. In all, more than 100 NHL draft picks have participated in WJAC.

We have some 4 packs of tickets to give away to the following games:

Canada Game 1 – November 7, 2011 at 4PM

CJHL Prospects Game – November 12, 2011 at 4PM

Gold Medal Game – November 13, 2011 at 5PM

Please leave a note below to be entered to win tickets to one of the above mentioned games – they are going to be SO exciting!

Winner to the Canada Game will be notified on November 5, 2011. Winners of tickets to the other two games will be notified on November 10, 2011. 

For an extra chance to win, please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win tickets to the World Jr. A Challenge @LangleyEvents – you should enter, too! “

For more information, please visit www.HockeyCanada.ca/WJAC. Tickets for all events are available at www.LangleyEventsCentre.com.

Inspired by the #1 animated movie of all time, Academy Award®-winning Toy Story 3 is so hot it’s cool as everyone’s favorite toys take to the ice in Disney On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3! An accomplished creative team and a cast of world-class skaters are bringing Woody, the pull-string cowboy; space ranger Buzz Lightyear; Jessie, the yodeling cowgirl; and the rest of the Toy Story gang to fans and families in Abbottsford with this all-new, high-energy ice spectacular. 

Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare and race for home, in their most daring adventure ever. Plus a few new faces join the fun, including Barbie’s groovy bachelor Ken and Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear. It’s the biggest Toy Story experience ever on ice!

Showtimes are as follows:

Friday, November 18, 2011 – 7:30PM
Saturday, November 19, 2011 – 12:00PM, 3:30PM & 7:30PM
Sunday, November 20, 2011 – 1:00PM & 4:30PM

Tickets are now on sale and range in price from $17 – $70 (rinkside). Purchase tickets online or by calling 1.866.977.AESC.

Disney on Ice at AESC has become a local fall favourite. Don’t miss this one!

We have a 4 pack of tickets to opening night (November 18th at 7:30PM) to share with one reader & their family/friends!

To enter, please leave a note below letting us know who you’d like to take to the show. Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted on November 9, 2011. 

For an extra chance to win, please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win tickets to Disney On Ice presents Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 3 in #Abbotsford via @FVPulse http://ow.ly/78NxL!“

Update: Congratulations to our winner, Warren! This contest is now closed.

Update, October 8th:
FVP has just received word of an exclusive promotional code, which will save you up to 55%! Here are the details:

Canada’s largest and most popular women’s event is now in its 11th year, which will feature over 450 booths and displays, free samples and some great shows. It is always a fun day or night out with friends, sisters, mothers, aunts… you get the picture.

Guests to this year’s event will enjoy the 2012 Hall of Flame Calendar Firefighters fashion shows, free tastes and samples at the Kitchen Theatre and World of Taste Zone, a home decor marketplace, home and interior design zone and the natural and organic product showcase! Friday and Saturday evenings are Martini Nights at the West Coast Women’s Show and, well, need we say more?

The UK’s snazzy and sassy design duo, Colin & Justin will be on the Main Stage for two very special presentations this year on Saturday, October 22nd. And soap opera fans can get up close with the dashing Billy Miller, aka Billy Abbot from The Young and the Restless when he takes to the Main Stage on Sunday October 23rd!

Fraser Valley Pulse has been at the West Coast Women’s Show since 2009, live blogging our way through the weekend and keeping you all up to date on what’s going on at the show! We are excited to be there again this year. Tune in throughout the weekend to see who’s there, what’s on and highlighting the best of what to see when you arrive! Drop by booth #812 (right up by the main stage) when you arrive – we’d love to see you!

We have 10 pairs of tickets to give away to some lucky ladies! Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. 10 winners will be chosen at random on October 17, 2011.

For an extra chance to win please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win tickets to @WCWomensShow from @FVPulse http://ow.ly/6MzZ9“

www.WestCoastWomen.net

The trade show runs from 10am – 4pm and features the best event companies with the latest in lighting designs and decor, venues and entertainment options. Tickets to the trade show only can be purchased for just $20.

Conferences run throughout the day as well and guests will hear from this fabulous lineup of speakers:

Deanna McIntyre, MS Society
Anatomy of a Fundraiser

Richard Belcham
Behind the Scenes at Buckingham Palace

Daniel Sabina, ShowMax Event Services
Lighting Design and Production

Vince McKay, Essential Financial
Money Matters

Guy Steeves, Constant Contact
The Power of Email Marketing: Leveraging your Social Media Network

Vali Marling, Abbotsford Tradex
Managing Large Events

Winston Chang, Unique Vacations Inc.
Destination Weddings

Michael Favelle, Coast Hotel/Cascades Casino
Catering

Conference and trade show tickets are available for $75.

The gala portion of the event features a Fraser Valley-focused dinner in the Summit Theatre. After dinner guests will learn lots from Keynote Speaker Cheryl Cecchetto!

Originally from Sudbury, Ontario, founder and President of Sequoia Productions Cheryl Ceccetto set out to develop a visionary company that would perform more than just event servicing. Now 22 years later that vision has been realized. Cecchetto and her company have produced, managed and directed some of the most prestigious and original productions in the event world.

Over the years, Cecchetto has secured and sustained a working relationship with a long list of prestigious clients including the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Virgin Unite, Australia Week, Emirates, the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and many others.

Gala tickets are available for $100, or full day tickets for $125. This promises to be a day full of great information for event planners of all descriptions. Register online here.

We have 2 tickets to the Trade Show, Conference & Gala to gift to some lucky locals! If you would like to attend this inspiring day please leave a note below. Winners will be chosen at random on October 17, 2011.

For an extra chance to win, please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win a ticket to the @FVEPA Tradeshow, Conference & Gala via @FVPulse http://ow.ly/6KHgU” 

Congratulations Samantha & Carole! This contest is now closed.

www.fveventshow.ca.

Who says wedding planning can’t be fun? Sometimes brides just need a night out with the girls! The Fraser Valley Wedding Festival on October 17 offers a fun and interactive perspective on wedding planning with live music and delicious dips into chocolate fondue in the complimentary bridal tearoom.

“This is our seventh festival and we are making it a girls’ night out,” says Tamara O’Brien, the event producer. “Sip on a glass of wine, go shopping, and enter to win prizes. The only rule is have fun!”

The festival’s one-of-a-kind décor showcase welcomes brides into entirely decorated rooms, each designed in a spectacular wedding décor theme with incredible floral arrangements, table dressings, and hot new colour schemes.

You can shop until you drop in the “matrimonial mall” where experts at the mini storefronts help plan your big day. Chat with wedding specialists,watch demonstrations, eat cake, or try out a new beauty product.

“We pride ourselves in doing things a little bit differently than at the average wedding fair,” says Tamara, who is passionate that brides should have an interactive way to plan a wedding. “New this year, brides can now shop and purchase their wedding gown at the show. We’ll also be having our very own Top Chef-like cake-off!”

After all the excitement, sit down with your girlfriends and laugh until you cry in the complimentary bridal tea room where you can indulge until you bulge over the selection of cakes, cupcakes, wine, and chocolate fountain.

The festival takes place on Monday, October 17, 2011, 4-8pm at The Coast Hotel & Convention Centre in Langley.  Admission is $5 and tickets are available at the door.

The organizers at the Fraser Valley Wedding Festival have put together a fun prize for one lucky local bride and three of her friends (attendants, Moms, sisters, aunts…). You will receive four complimentary tickets to the festival, plus a $40 gift card to Milestones. Milestones has a fabulous girls night out special that includes 4 bellinis and 4 appetizers for $40. Perfect!

Please leave a note below to be entered to win. A winner will be chosen at random on October 7, 2011. You must be 19 years or older to win this prize. 

Update: Congratulations to our winner, Sarah G! Enjoy the festival! This contest is now closed.

Fraser Valley Wedding Festival
www.fraservalleyweddingfestival.com
20393 Fraser Highway, Langley

Follow Thumbelina on her magical journeys as she finds her way in the world of nature as a miniature girl born from a flower. The Cultural Centre’s main theatre will be transformed into a fairylike world, consisting of a projection screen the shape of a setting full moon and populated by a rainbow cast of mice, frogs, birds and bugs. Her funny, engaging story is told by the multi-voiced talent of Mick Doherty and accompanied by a cluster of musical instruments, including a hammer dulcimer, electric guitar, and an assortment of percussion and sound effects devices. Taking care of the magic behind the scenes is Deb Chase, who designs, makes and expertly manipulates the bits of plastic and paper that bring the colourful shadow puppets to life. 

The visual design of this colorful shadow play is drawn from Art Nouveau and the flowing organic lines of its natural themes. The art and music of the Rock ‘n Roll era inspires much of the design of the play. While the plot follows Hans Christian Andersen’s story, the script supports a comic sub text linking music of the 1960’s and ‘70s to Thumbelina’s desire to find her home in a land of flowers.

You will not want to miss the story of the Original Flower Child, so purchase your tickets today by calling the Centre Box Office at 604.391.SHOW(7469) or by visiting the friendly agents Monday-Friday 9:30am-9:00pm, Saturday & Sunday 9:30am-5:00pm. Tickets are also available online at www.chilliwackculturalcentre.ca.

Fraser Valley Pulse has three pairs of tickets to share with some lucky readers. Please leave a note below to be entered to win. Winners will be chosen at random and announced September 29, 2011. 

Update: Congratulations to Brenda, Chrystalyn and Rachael V. Enjoy the show!

The Fraser Valley Cork and Keg Festival is coming to the Langley Events Centre on September 30, 2011! A showcase of international and local wines, craft and premium beer, local cheesemaker’s and chocolatier’s specialties, this inaugural event is going to be fantastic and Fraser Valley Pulse is thrilled to be on board as a sponsor.

The festival, which runs from 7PM – 10PM, will host 600 attendees, showcasing 55 wine and beer purveyors who will be sampling over 275 products! Check out the list of vendors – it’s going to be fun!

Whether you are a wine or beer enthusiast, a novice who wants to learn more or a seasoned guru – you are encouraged to attend. Tickets are available online and, if you purchase before September 15th, you are entered to win some great prizes. 

A trade and media event will be held from 2PM – 4PM before the consumer evening event. Admission to this portion of the event is complimentary, but you are required to register ahead of time. It is intended for the hospitality and food and beverage industry only; the general public is not invited. Vendors will be pouring specialty products during this time and is a great opportunity for anyone in the hospitality industry to try some great products and meet with the Liquor Agents onsite.

We are excited to share two pairs of tickets with some lucky readers. Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. You must be 19 years of age or older to enter to win this prize; minors will not be permitted at the event.

Winners will be announced on September 22, 2011. 

For an extra entry to win, please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win tickets to @FVCorkAndKeg from @FVPulse http://ow.ly/6o0zj“

Update: Our winners have now been contacted. Thank you to all who entered. This contest is now closed.

Fraser Valley Cork and Keg Festival
www.corkandkeg.ca 

This is a chance for individuals to see what’s new, where to take their winter holidays, enter to win the grand prize RV (valued at almost $19,000) listen to guest speakers and lots more!

This year, not only will the show feature over 200 new recreation vehicles, they have an inspiring featured speaker, Marc van Yperen, who took an RV trip around the world with his young family. He is going to have his RV on-site at the show, and will share his story with everyone on how he did this.

Guests will enjoy over 180,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor RV lifestyle displays. ‘This Old RV Seminar Stage’ has daily seminars, including “how to” demonstrations on Travelling to Arizona; Winterizing; Solar, Inverters & Satellite Systems; and many other topics.

We have a pair of tickets to share with one of our readers. Please leave a note below to be entered to win. Winner will be chosen at random on September 19, 2011.

For an extra chance to win, please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win tickets to the Snowbird RV Show & Sale from @FVPulse http://twe.ly/pCqb“.

Update: Congratulations to our winner, Dale. This contest is now closed. 

Snowbird RV Show and Sale
www.rvshowsbc.com
FV Tradex
1190 Cornell Street, Abbotsford 

Celebrity chefs, popular local restaurants, wineries, food and beverage manufacturers, cookbook authors, retailers, artisans, and many others (over 100 vendors) from the culinary world will come together for a three day public extravaganza September 16 – 18, 2011.

For the first time at this event, the BC Chef’s Association hosts the Iron Chef-style CityTV Master Chef Competition on all three days, culminating in the finals on Sunday, September 18. On the Food Network Celebrity Stage, guests will welcome the only two Canadians to win an Iron Chef America battle: Montreal’s Chef Chuck Hughes, star of Chuck’s Day Off, which enters its third season this Fall on Food Network Canada; and Vancouver’s Chef Rob Feenie, Food Concept Architect for Cactus Club Restaurants. Making his first appearance at EAT! Fraser Valley is Graham Kerr, the Galloping Gourmet and author of Growing at the Speed of Life: A Year in the Life of My First Kitchen Garden.

EAT! Fraser Valley encompasses unique food experiences, opportunities to learn behind-the-scenes culinary magic from professional chefs, dynamic entertainment through celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, diverse food, beverage and cooking related exhibits; and of course fantastic shopping opportunities. Enjoy some of the best wines, beers and spirits from British Columbia and around the world, offered for tasting by the vintners and producers themselves. Sample, compare and ask questions directly from those who know.

Tickets are available at www.eat-fraservalley.com. We have a pair of tickets to give away to one lucky reader! Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. A winner will be chosen at random on September 13, 2011.

For an extra entry to win, please post the following on Twitter: “I entered to win tickets to @EATFraserValley from @FVPulse http://ow.ly/6oCOw“

UPDATE: Congratulations to our winner, Wendy O. Have a great time at the event!

www.Eat-FraserValley.com

Here’s a little bit about the event:

Vancouver Freelance Camp is having their second annual, information packed UNconference on Saturday, September 10, 2011 at The Network Hub New Westminster. Experienced business personnel and successful local freelancers will be sharing their stories as well as insight on how to grow a freelancer’s business. This is a true UNconference, the schedule is created the morning of when the attendees arrive. We start the day off with guests pitching to be presenters for the day and the freelancers vote on who they want to hear speak.

Topics from landing a freelancer’s dream project to dealing with the nitty gritty details of doing business will be discussed. The Freelance Camp is the opportunity to make connections with like-minded people across many fields. Over 130 people attended last year’s event, including freelancers from Victoria, Kelowna and Seattle. The UNconference hosted 22 presentations where 196 cups of Waves Coffee was consumed. You won’t leave empty handed either because $5400 worth of goodies and $448 worth of door prizes were given to attendees last year to make being a freelancer even better. Attendees were also part of a wave of social broadcasting with 1478 tweets mentioning the event and were also a top trending topic in Canada on twitter for three hours.

The success of Freelance Camp raised $1100 last year and donated all its proceeds to Mental Health Camp – a conference on examining the possibilities of using social media to achieve and maintain mental health. It is important to Freelance Camp to give back to local initiatives and was excited to have Mental Health Camp as the benefactor.

The satisfaction of last year’s event has propelled Vancouver Freelance Camp to make this year’s event even bigger and accessible to more freelancers. We’ll be the first local event to use Google+ Hangouts to engage a maximum of 25 attendees per session off-site. Through live streaming video, participants can view and ask questions in Google+ Hangout allowing for 725 online viewings.

Registration to the 2011 Freelance Camp is just $10 with the proceeds going to charity. For more information, or to register for the event, visit the website at http://www.thenetworkhub.ca/freelancecamp/ and follow Vancouver Freelance Camp on twitter at @604freelancers.

We have two tickets to give away for this event which is happening on September 10, 2011, from 9AM – 5PM. Please leave a comment below to be entered to win. Winners will be chosen at random and announced on September 1, 2011.

Update: Congratulations to Eileen & Robyn! Enjoy Freelance Camp! This contest is now closed.