Flip some flapjacks, get some temporary ink done or watch the sky being set ablaze - whatever your fancy, a multitude of events will be offered across the Tri-Cities this weekend to celebrate Canada's 145th birthday.

Port Moody's showcase event of the year, the Golden Spike Days Festival, runs from Saturday, June 30 through Monday, July 3, and comes complete will all the traditional fare: spike driving, can-can dancing, bouncy castles and the annual Tri-Cities' Got Talent showcase.

Also on tap is a series of musical performances from the likes of Doug and the Slugs, Tony Prophet, Will Stroet & the Backyard Band, Fera, Sharmaine & Luvena and the Inlet Big Band.

Local dancers will also have ample opportunities to strut their stuff, as performers from the Caulfield School of Dance and C.A.P.A School of Dance will perform on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Billed as a "family affair," the Golden Spike Days Festival runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday.

Admission is by donation. Not to be outdone, Port Moody firefighters will also have a hand in on this weekend's festivities, as members with Local 2399 will stage their 35th annual pancake breakfast on both Saturday, June 30 and Sunday, July 1. Running from 8 a.m. to noon on both days at City Hall, the menu will include pancakes, sausages, yogurt, juice and coffee.

At the nearby Port Moody Station Museum, at 2734 Murray St., Canada Day celebrations will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 30 and July 1 and 2. Admission is by donation.

The City of Coquitlam's annual fete of all things Canadiana goes Sunday, July 1 from noon to 11 p.m. at Lafarge Lake and the nearby Evergreen Cultural Centre.

Several villages with specific themes and associated activities will be offered, including an adventure village, artisan village, community village, cultural village, green village and a sports and youth village. In keeping with that feel, the five stages of entertainment - Coquitlam, Evergreen, children's, water and cultural - will also follow specific themes.

The day's events will be rounded out by a fireworks show.

Port Coquitlam will host Canada Day celebrations at Lions Park, with a Lions Club pancake breakfast from 8 to 11: 30 a.m. and a free fishing derby for kids under 10.

The celebrations head to Castle Park beginning at noon, with opening ceremonies, a flag raising and cake.

A children's concert, bouncy castle, climbing wall and bazaars will be part of the fun from 12: 30 to 5 p.m., while the popular firefighters' salmon barbecue kicks off at 3 p.m., featuring a complete dinner for $10.

Musical groups Young Pacific and Night Shift are slated to perform between 6 and 10 p.m., while the fireworks display will begin around dusk.

For more information on any of these events, log on to www.portcoquitlam.ca, www.coquitlam.ca or http: //goldenspike. ca.

jkurucz@thenownews.com