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Good morning,

July might feel like a ways off, but the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival just announced its summer lineup and two of the four days are completely free. It's the kind of thing worth putting on the calendar now before the summer fills up.

– Emily

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The warm weather has us thinking about summer plans already, and the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival has given us a good reason to mark the calendar. The festival returns July 23 to 26, bringing jazz, blues, soul, and fusion to Fort Langley. Two of those four days, July 25 and 26, are entirely free, a commitment the festival has maintained despite rising costs and reduced funding that have forced some changes this year.

Last year's festival drew more than 12,000 attendees, with thousands taking in the free programming over the weekend. This year's free lineup is all-Canadian, spanning gypsy jazz, Indigenous-jazz fusion, a Joni Mitchell tribute, and more across two outdoor stages.

The free days open on Saturday, July 25 with a Mardi Gras Strolling Parade, with a New Orleans-style jazz band making their way through the village from the Fort Langley Farmers Market to the Community Hall, where programming continues through the weekend.

A Youth and Emerging Artist Stage in the gardens of the Fort Langley Heritage CNR Station will also run both free days, showcasing the next generation of jazz talent.

Ticketed performances are also part of the four-day event, and an Arts and Culture Zone, relocated this year to the Post Office greenspace on Mary Avenue, will offer workshops and activities throughout the weekend.

"For many people, the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival is experienced through its free concerts, performances and cultural programming — moments that bring neighbours together, invite new audiences into the arts, and make music and creativity accessible to everyone," said Karen Zukas, executive director of the festival.

⚡ BC Hydro has begun expanding its Mount Lehman Substation in Abbotsford, with the project expected to supply electricity for up to 35,000 additional homes by 2027. [BC Hydro]

🏥 Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department has resumed full 24/7 operations after operating on reduced hours due to physician staffing constraints. [Fraser Health]

🚨 An Alberta man has been charged with second-degree murder after an 18-year-old woman and a 33-year-old man were found dead inside a Langley home on April 27. [CBC News]

🆘 The District of Hope has received a $30,000 grant to modernize its Emergency Support Services program, including new tablets for on-site evacuee registration and funding for volunteer training. [District of Hope]

🍁 Chilliwack's Canada Day celebration is moving to Heritage Park this year, with festivities beginning at 4 PM and including live music, food trucks, and a drone show. [City of Chilliwack]

📊 Abbotsford is inviting local businesses to complete its Annual Business Survey, open until June 5, to help shape the city's economic support programs. [City of Abbotsford]

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Mt. Lehman Garden Club Plant Sale: The Mt. Lehman Garden Club hosts its annual spring plant sale on May 9 at Mt. Lehman Hall, with a wide variety of homegrown plants at reasonable prices. Cash only.

Mother's Day Market at Quik's Farm: Quik's Farm Floral Shop hosts its sixth annual Mother's Day Market on May 8 and 9, with farm-fresh bouquets, houseplants, hanging baskets, and locally made gifts.

Composting 101 Workshop: The Langley Environmental Partners Society hosts a free beginner-friendly composting workshop on May 12 at Derek Doubleday Arboretum. Registration required at [email protected].

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