The Vancouver Public Space Network (“VPSN”) has lunched PS (Public Space) I Love U, a photo hunt to celebrate the city’s public spaces. Registration is now open for the event which will take place Saturday, September 21st, 2013.
It’s pretty easy to find Vancouver’s more famous landmarks, like Science World and the Olympic Cauldron. But, do you know where your closest neighbourhood pop-up library is, or where Mountain View Cemetery’s first burial was laid to rest? We’ve compiled a checklist of the city’s hidden local treasures, some are well known and some… not so much. This five-hour photo hunt will challenge people to discover the fun public spaces that exist throughout the city. Our extensive list includes unconventional public art, community-inspired fixtures, and just fun and odd things that are exclusively Vancouver.
Late September is a great time to explore the city, even more so to participate in a public spaces photo hunt. To sign up your team for free or to read the official rules and event information, check out the PS I Love U website and follow on Twitter and Facebook.
This weekend we’ll be celebrating the 125th anniversary of Vancouver’s crown jewel, Stanley Park. This peninsula means a lot of many of us with its forest trails, Seawall paths, attractions, beaches, and as Xwayxway, a traditional village site of the Squamish First Nation. On Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th, you will be able to enjoy free activities and live concerts — along with a Stanley Park Brewing Beer Garden — to celebrate everything we love about the park.
Stanley Park 125 Festival Schedule
A full schedule of events is available online, and you can search by festival location and date, or you can download this PDF. There are free daytime entertainment and activities from 12:00pm to 8:00pm as well as ticketed events with Theatre Under the Stars and Boca del Lupo.
Second Beach Live Concerts
Live at Second Beach: The Stanley Park Live stage at Second Beach features a full line-up of amazing musical performances, food concessions, outdoor sports, and a premium licensed area to enjoy Stanley Park Brewery’s fine selection of beers.
Saturday Schedule Live at Second Beach
10:00am to 11:00am SPES Nature Walks
12:30pm to 1:15pm Mob Bounce
1:00pm to 5:00pm Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club
1:35pm to 2:20pm Ali Milner
2:20pm to 2:40pm Alexandria Maillot
2:40pm to 3:25pm Watasun
3:25pm to 3:45pm Alexandria Maillot
3:45pm to 4:30pm Washboard Union
4:30pm to 4:50pm LIO & Guests
4:50pm to 5:35pm We are the City
5:55pm to 6:40pm You Say Party
5:55pm to 5:55pm LIO & Guests
6:40pm to 7:00pm LIO & Guests
7:00pm to 8:00pm Born Ruffians
9:00pm to Late SPES Nature Walks
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Sunday Schedule Live at Second Beach
12:30pm to 1:15pm Hilary Grist
1:00pm to 5:00pm Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club
1:35pm to 2:20pm Del Barber
2:20pm to 2:40pm Connor Roff
2:40pm to 3:25pm Kuba Oms & The Velvet Revolution
3:25pm to 3:45pm Connor Roff
3:45pm to 4:30pm The Belle Game
4:30pm to 4:50pm Terence Jack
4:50pm to 5:35pm The Matinee
5:35pm to 5:55pm Terence Jack
6:00pm to 7:00pm Arkells
6:40pm to 7:00pm The Matinee
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Festival Zones
Family Stage at the Arch:
Family stage with local children’s entertainers like Bobs & Lolo and Music with Marnie, Coast Salish artisans and cultural displays, Stanley Park Ecology Society’s Discovery trail walks and BioBlitz ecology study, stilt walkers, interactive workshops and the Aquarium’s Aqua Van.
Memory Lane at the Gardens:
Historical tours and displays in the rose garden and Shakespearean sonnets and soliloquys. Evening ticketed performances including Theatre under the Stars at Malkin Bowl and Boca del Lupo at the Stanley Park Service Yard parking lot.
Brockton Sportsapalooza:
Rugby and cricket games and demos with a licensed area, traditional Coast Salish Slahal games, and open house at HMCS Discovery at Deadman’s island.
Lost Lagoon Ecoharmony:
Nature displays, games and events hosted by Stanley Park Ecology Society including naturalist-led wildlife trail walks and mural art workshops at the Nature House, plus musical performances at the Lost Lagoon stage and roving entertainers.
Check out the Stanley Park 125 website for more information and updates.
The Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Pink Salmon Festival is happening Sunday, August 25, 2013 at Vanier/Hadden Park in Kitsilano.
From 12:00pm until 5:00pm participants will be able to sample pink salmon prepared by local chefs including Robert Clark (formerly of C Restaurant) , Ronnie Shewchuk (international BBQ winner) and Garrett Schack (Chateau Victoria). All sampling is by donation.
Organizers say the festival is to celebrate the return of the pink salmon. With 9 million pinks forecasted to flood the Fraser, and recent reports of Sockeye collapses, the message is that Pinks are a tasty and sustainable alternative to other species:
We, as consumers, have the power to ensure that salmon have a healthy future in BC. Salmon are a keystone species in British Columbia from a cultural, environmental and economic perspective. Pink salmon, which are expected to be particularly abundant this year in the Fraser River, have the ability to serve as an abundant human food source while also adequately supporting ecosystems that depend on them for survival. Pink salmon can truly be sustainable seafood in practice and not just words. [Pink Salmon FAQ]
The Pink Salmon Festival will not only have tasty samples but this family-friendly event will include live music, interactive displays, and more. Follow the Pacific Salmon Foundation on Facebook and Twitter to learn more about this event and the PSF’s various initiatives.
Update I received an email from Elayne with the PSF who let me know that after the event they had plenty of leftovers — 650 pounds of pink salmon donated by Canadian Fishing Company/Goldseal. It didn’t go to waste though, it was donated to the Union Gospel Mission in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.
The annual Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause walk is coming up on Sunday, September 8, 2013 in 35 communities throughout BC. It’s lovingly referred to as the biggest doggy party of the year and it helps to raise much-needed funds which stay right in local communities.
The goal for this year’s Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause is to raise $1 million to fight animal cruelty in BC. You can sign up to participate in the walk or donate to a participant to support the cause.
My friend Keira has done the walk for several years and she is participating with her rescued pal Jordy once again this year in Comox:
“Last year my then three-year-old niece joined me in the Comox Valley for her first-ever Paws for a Cause walk and was absolutely delighted! She constantly shrieked with joy at being surrounded by dogs of all shapes, sizes, colours and breeds. My participation in Paws for a Cause will always primarily be for the sake of the animals but I know now that I’m also setting an example of love and compassion for all creatures – whether furry, scaly, sweet or stinky.”
To get the word out about Paws for the Cause walks around BC – whether you would like to participate or support a participant – Pile of Pillows has supplied the BC SPCA with NOVOpets® pet beds and I get to give away three of them.
The pet bed is cozy, scratch-proof and easy care. The removable, washable cover makes care easy. A water resistant cover on the inner bed cushion offers added protection from drool, wet paws and accidents. All NOVOpets® Pet Pillows are filled with GeoBlend®, a fill that lowers your carbon footprint. GeoBlend® is a soft, synthetic fill that is eco and pet friendly. All pet beds are made in Canada.
Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw three winners at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, August 29, 2013. Each winner will receive one gift certificate code that they can use online at Pile of Pillows. The prize is valued at $60 for a large pet bed (pictured above). Follow the BC SPCA on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their work and special events.
Update The winners are Kelly, Riley, and Nicole!
Celebrate! Stanley Park is coming up this weekend in honour of the 125th anniversary of the iconic public park on the edge of the city.
“Lord Stanley threw his arms to the heavens, as though embracing within them the whole of one thousand acres of primeval forest, and dedicated it ‘to the use and enjoyment of peoples of all colours, creeds, and customs, for all time. I name thee, Stanley Park’.”
It was officially opened as a public park on September 27, 1888 by Mayor David Oppenheimer and named after Lord Stanley of Preston (the same Lord Stanley who donated a championship cup to the National Hockey League).
Stanley was not in town when the park was officially opened that year but he visited in October of 1889 to officially dedicated the park, in his name. A statue depicting this moment was installed in 1960.
Over the years I have published over 150 posts about the park and I have recently partnered exclusively with the Stanley Park Ecology Society for a monthly series. It’s no secret that it’s my favourite place in the city to explore.
With its milestone birthday and festival in mind, I figured that the best subject for this week’s archive photo post would be Stanley Park:
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC’s Klahowya Village is also open until September 2nd. There you can explore beyond the park’s 125-year history and learn about the First Nations who inhabited the area, their traditions, culture, and legacy.
Thanks to the Vancouver Public Library and City of Vancouver Archives for their collections. Be sure to check out Celebrate! Stanley Park on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, 2013.
