ABOUT THE DASH

Is your child ready to join the other ‘dashers’ as we kick off Hats off Day with a bang? This year’s Family Fun Dash is the perfect opportunity to have a blast chasing after your little one. The event features a brand new starting line and a choice of distance, including a longer 4-block run for those up for a challenge. All proceeds will benefit the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society. Plus, every child will receive an official finisher’s medallion and a bag of goodies.

LOCATION

Hastings St

From Madison Ave. To Ingleton Ave.
DATE

June 7, 2025

From 9:30am
COST

$5

Per child participant. All proceeds will benefit the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society.

Gather Your Team

  1. Children 2 years and older need a team captain over 15 years old to accompany them. Children under 2 can join for free, but you can purchase an entry for them to receive their own bag.
  2. Team Captains are responsible for ensuring all members of their team cross the finish line.
  3. After warming up, we’ll cheer the start of the 3-block distance dashers, then walk the 4-block distance dashers to Madison Ave for their start.
  4. Wait for the race horn to sound before dashing down Hastings Street towards Ingleton Avenue, where a team of Burnaby Firefighters will be at the finish line, at Ingleton Ave & Hastings St, to give you a hi-five!
  5. Finisher medals and bags collection date and location will be sent to you via email.

How To Enter

  1. The entry fee is $5 per child participant. All proceeds will benefit the Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society.
  2. Choose between a 3-block and a 4-block distance. Need to visualize the race? Change the filter on the interactive map!
  3. On the day, please gather outside the Gulf&Fraser branch on Hastings Street @ Carleton Ave, with faster runners in the eastbound lanes of the street no later than 9:30 a.m.
Sign-up link available in April!

Contact Us

Hats Off Day is produced by the Heights Merchants Association. The Heights Merchants Association is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to foster the economic development of the Heights business district in cooperation with the community. They organize this special festival as a way to unite the community, celebrate what we have together, and give back.

Contact Info

What Is Hats Off Day?

Hats Off Day is Burnaby’s biggest annual street festival where the Heights businesses take their “hats off” to their community to thank them for their support.

Hats Off Day was started in the early 1980s by Clay Budd, Larry French, Jack Kuyer and Ed Wood, four merchants on Hastings Street in Burnaby. Watch the History of Hats Off Day movie, here.

The festival now attracts over 50,000 attendees every year. There is a colourful parade, vintage car show, thrilling race, live music, fun entertainment, delicious food, and lots of activities appropriate for all ages.

What Day Is Hats Off Day?

Rain or shine, Hats Off Day is on!

When Is The Main Event?

There are portable washrooms at the intersections listed below, either to the north or south of Hastings St. Look for directional signage.

  • Esmond Ave (SE)
  • MacDonald Ave (SE)
  • Madison Ave (NW)
  • Alpha Ave (SW)
  • Beta Ave (SE)

Is There Any Information Booth?

Alpha Secondary School (Parking Lot), from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

What Do I Do If I find A Lost Child?

Alpha Secondary School (Parking Lot), from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.

For all other inquiries, please fill out the form.

Tel. 604-294-8899

Contact Form