May is a busy month, with many international schools hosting their annual fairs, fun days, and outdoor music concerts. With only four weeks to go until schools start to break for summer, many of you will be planning what gifts to take back for friends and family this summer. Or if you’re leaving Beijing, what trinkets you would like to have as a reminder of your time here. Beijing Riviera’s Spring Bazaar promises a day of fun and the chance for plenty of shopping. If you’re having a spring clean, or clearing out ready for the relocation movers to arrive, make some cash from your old items by selling them at a garage and yard sale.
Founder’s Day
Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) celebrates Founder’s Day on Saturday, May 16 from 2.45-9pm. Founder’s Day is the largest community event for DCB. Teachers and staff organize a day of games, music, sport, drama and a whole lot of fun. A flag parade featuring students and parent’s kicks off the event, with 44 country flags represented. The highlight is the International Food Festival, which Dulwich parents put together to celebrate and showcase the diverse and multi-cultural community of the school. Profits generated by the food festival will go towards the Nepal Earthquake Relief Efforts. With Pop Idol, Battle of the Bands, Choral and Orchestral Performances later in the day, it’s a community event that’s not to be missed. For more details, click here.
Spring Fair
International School of Beijing (ISB) Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is hosting their annual Spring Fair on Saturday, May 16 from 10am-4pm. This open-community event is one of Beijing’s biggest expat fairs. With over 200 sponsors and vendors, everyone is welcome to join in the fun and games, enjoy international flavors from the food bazaar, and shop from a huge range of vendor stalls. Entry is free. For more details, click here.
Fun Fair and Rock in the Park
The annual Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) Parent Link Fun Fair roars to life on Tiger Field on Saturday, May 23 from 3-6pm. Full of games and activities, the fair is free and open to the public, with a variety of refreshments available for purchase. Try your hand at a giant-sized Angry Birds game, rocket down a slippery launch pad, or search for buried treasure. At 4pm various performers will take to the stage, including Shout Rock Choir, Srikandi Indonesian Dance Troupe, On Pointe Dance Studio, and Xie’s Martial Arts.
In WAB’s Peace Park, Rock in the Park musicians will get the festival going on Friday, May 22. Jazz and Chill Sessions; a lunchtime jazz performance 11.40am-12.30pm, a masterclass and Latin drumming lessons from 12.30-3.30pm, followed by the Jazz Big Band and Latin Jazz groups taking to the stage at 3.30pm. On Saturday, May 23 the music festival continues, with five stages throughout the campus, featuring entertainment from 2-9pm. Rock music, an acoustic stage, dance stage, and a magic and poetry stage. Food and drinks will be available from a variety of vendors.
Summer Fayre
The British School of Beijing Shunyi (BSB) annual Summer Fayre takes place on Sunday, May 31 from 12-4pm. Families can enjoy a lunch from the many food vendors, bounce and slide on the array of bouncy castles, have a go at some games and activities to try and win prizes, and enjoy a variety of stalls. The Grand Charity Raffle has many fantastic prizes to be won. For more details, click here.
Spring Bazaar and Garage Sale
Beijing Riviera is hosting a Spring Bazaar on Sunday, May 17 from 10am-4pm. With a number of vendor stalls, you will be able to shop for a range of fabulous items for yourself, or some unique gifts to take back home this summer. Entertainment includes a bouncy castle, face painting, kid’s experiments, and a BBQ. On the same day, from 11am-1pm, Riviera residents across the compound will be holding garage sales. Plenty of bargain items will be on sale, as people spring clean or clear out ready for a move. Beijing Riviera, No 1 Xiang Jiang Bei Lu, Chaoyang District
Community Yard Sale
House of Knowledge (HoK) community yard sale is the perfect motivation to clear the clutter from your home and help your items find a new home. The event takes place on Saturday, May 23 from 10am-1pm at HoK Quanfa campus. Everyone is welcome and entry is free. You can either book a table at the event and sell your old household items, or just come along and grab yourself a bargain. Anything can go on sale, including clothes, shoes, toys, and household items. If you donate some baked goods, then you can secure yourself a yard sale table for free. Baked goods will be sold at the cake table, with money raised going to the Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF). To secure a table contact Angela Liu (6431 8452, qf@hokschools.com)
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: courtesy of DCB
