Not too long ago, Metro Vancouverites could joke easily about there being a Starbucks on every corner. But these days it might be wiser to sub in "a bubble tea shop" for the ubiquitous coffee chain, because Metro Vancouver is absolutely flowing in milk tea and brown sugar pearls.
This summer, fans of the Taiwanese beverage will surely want to head to Burnaby to check out the first-ever Vancouver Bubble Tea Festival.
Positioned as Canada's biggest bubble tea fest, this brand-new gathering will take place in July at Swangard Stadium. The original festival was supposed to happen in 2020, but COVID-19 got in the way of that.
Tickets are $10 per person (children 8-yr and under are free).
Visitors can buy tickets on at www.vanbubbleteafest.ca
The event will be on July 22 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and July 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
According to organizers, attendees can expect tons of bubble tea, as well as "night market food, performances and entertainment for you to enjoy at the event." There are also plans for a "pearl judging contest" for the public to participate in, and pick your favourite bubble tea of the fest.
In the city of Vancouver, bubble tea shops have had to shift away from plastic straws; with the big Bubble Tea Festival going down in neighbouring Burnaby, where there is no straw ban, it's unclear as of now if the vendors will be offering those iconic extra-wide colourful plastic straws with each and every single cup they sell at the event.
Bubble Tea Festival 2022
When: July 22-23
Where: Swangard Stadium - 3883 Imperial St. Burnaby
-- with files from Lindsay William-Ross, Vancouver Is Awesome
