John and I enjoyed a few days exploring “The Other Vancouver”, which is Vancouver, Washington. Located about two hours south of Seattle along the I-5, this Vancouver sits along the Columbia River and was incorporated in 1857, 29 years before Vancouver, BC.
While planning our trip to the “other” Vancouver in Washington State we knew there was one attraction we absolutely could not miss, and that was Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. This old Hudson’s Bay Company fort sits just up from the north bank of the Columbia River, near where the Lewis and Clark Highway crosses the I-5 as it heads south into Oregon.
Fort Vancouver
The fort was established in 1824 by the Hudson’s Bay Company:
The Oregon Country/Columbia District was shared between the British and Americans in the Treaty of 1818, but the treaty was to expire in 1828 and since Fort George stood on the south side of the Columbia River, it would likely be awarded to the United States in any boundary agreement. After the North West Company merged with the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1821, the HBC administrator George Simpson suggested the creation of Fort Vancouver on the northern bank of the Columbia, but that it serve as secondary post to a larger trade hub further north near the mouth of the Fraser River.
In 1843, in the face of increasing US settlement, HBC moved the base of Fort Vancouver’s operations over to Fort Camuson, which we know as Fort Victoria today as well as Fort Langley.
In 1846 the Treaty of Oregon was ratified, and Fort Vancouver became part of the Oregon Territory of the United States. The Treaty permitted HBC to continue to operate the Fort Vancouver site even after the boundary dispute was settled, but they eventually abandoned the post in 1860.
It’s fascinating to tour around an old fort in Washington state, very close to Oregon, and have such a British (and therefor early Canadian) feel to the history. We loved walking around spotting Hudson’s Bay blankets, reading about relationships with the local First Nations, and chatting with the blacksmith who showed us what goes into a tin Hudson’s Bay fire kit.
Fort Vancouver is only a shadow of what it once was but the general grounds of the National Historic Site also contain an old apple orchard, barracks (about a hundred years old), officer’s row (where you’ll find Grant House), and the Pearson Air Museum.
Fire destroyed the fort itself in 1866 but the wall has been rebuilt along with a few other structures.
Fort Vancouver was separated from the Army’s barracks and became a national monument in 1948. Congress expanded the protected area in 1966 and re-designated the site as a National Historic Site. For some years after its addition to the National Park System, the National Park Service was reluctant to begin reconstruction of the fort walls or buildings, preferring to manage it as an archaeological site as provided by its standing policies. However, in 1965, with the urging of the local community, Congress directed reconstruction to begin. All fort structures seen today are modern replicas, albeit carefully placed on the original locations.
Fort Vancouver is open to visitors almost every day of the year with expanded hours between March and November. Admission is only $3 and we were told to keep our receipt as it’s good for a full week. There are also many free sights to explore around the area, including the Land Bridge and the gardens at the front of the fort — but entering the fort is definitely worth the admission fee.
We spent about three hours out around Fort Vancouver on a sunny June morning, soaking up the local history, taking photos, and listening to Park Rangers explain to other visitors that “Hudson’s Bay Company is still around in Canada today.”
Independence Day at Fort Vancouver
I was hoping to publish this post a bit earlier in the season since Fort Vancouver is know for its 4th of July celebrations with fireworks (launched from the Pearson Airfield nearby). If you have time to get down there, there will be a parade, music, and many activities starting at 12:00pm and the fireworks show will begin at 10:05pm.
Follow Fort Vancouver on Twitter and Facebook for more special event information and to plan your visit.
The Inspirational Latin Awards are being held on Thursday, July 4th as a part of Latincouver’s Carnaval del Sol and Latin American Week in Vancouver. Connecting the Latin community in Vancouver, the awards gala will recognize distinguished members of the Latin American community for their outstanding achievements and contributions in shaping BC’s economy and cultural developments.
Where: Thursday, July 4, 2013 from 7:00pm to midnight
When: Roundhouse Community Centre, Yaletown, Vancouver
Tickets: Available online now.
Carnaval Del Sol has become the most reputable representation of BC’s rapidly-increasing Latin American community and the bridge with other multicultural groups in Canada. We believe that given the entrepreneurial and unique audiences we serve, a partnership with Latincouver will not only raise your company’s profile to its existing targeted market but also secure a solid presence among the Latin American residents and new immigrants.
Judges for the awards include Anne Callaghan, United States’Consul General; Joel Solomon, Chairman at Renewal Funds; Bob Lenarduzzi, President Whitecaps FC; Fatima Amarshi
, Executive Director for the Jazz Festival; Rick Craig
, Executive Director for the Justic Education Society; and Pedro Guillen, Owner at Mochikas Peruvian Cafe.
“It’s an excellent opportunity to show Vancouver what Latinos are made of,” Camilo Dominguez (aka Camilo The Magician) told me. He will be the host of the awards and will also be performing a bit of his unbelievable magic.
Camilo The Magician
Camilo has been involved with Carnaval del Sol in the past, mostly doing street magic during the main weekend festival, but this year he was invited to host the awards after Latincouver’s founder Paola Murillo attended one of his shows. He is originally from Bogota, Colombia and has been in BC since he was 15 years old. He is also the namesake of the popular Said the Whale song: “Camilo (The Magician)“.
The Inspirational Latin Awards ceremony will include a cocktail reception and a silent auction along with special guests like comedians Lino Coria and Luis Moncayo, and fusion salsa dancing with Alma Chevere. Purchase your tickets today for the award show as there is little time left before this and other Carnaval del Sol festivities get underway this weekend.
Get Involved
There is still a call for volunteers for the Carnaval del Sol street festival as well as teams to play in the street soccer tournament. Connect with Carnaval del Sol (Facebook, Twitter) and Latincouver (Facebook, Twitter) on social media to follow news and updates. The official hashtag is #CarnavaldelSol and add Latincouver on Instagram for photos.
Miss604 is a proud Official Media Partner of Latincouver’s Carnaval del Sol.
The EPIC Sustainable Living Festival is changing things up this summer, taking a slight departure from the EPIC Expo format and moving things outdoors for a festival of music, entertainment, food, and marketplace goodies at the beautiful VanDusen Botanical Gardens.
When: Saturday, July 6th & Sunday, July 7th 2013 from 10:00am to 9:00pm
Where: VanDusen Botanical Gardens (5251 Oak St, Vancouver)
Tickets: Admission includes entrance to the VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Tickets are currently available online and will be available at the door.
EPIC will showcase some of BC’s best sustainable food, beverages, local live entertainment, products and services. Now in its 7th year as Western Canada’s largest sustainable lifestyle showcase, EPIC is combining environmentally friendly living with outdoor festivities from sunrise to sunset at this all-new venue.
The beautifully designed roof at VanDusen’s pavillion. Photo credit:
kennymatic on Flickr
Also new this year is the Outdoor Concert Stage and live entertainment line-up with performances from Kuba Oms and the Paperboys, last year’s Peak Performance finalists Jordan Klassen, Dominique Fricot, Steph MacPherson and many more. The stage will host rhythmic dance, bohemian rock, jazz funk and relaxing melodies as well.
Another new addition is Food Truck Alley which will compliment the restaurants and caterers serving up tasting plates and sustainable beverages on site at the Sip & Savour Garden. Exhibitors will offer craft beer, BC wines, and locally-distilled spirits.
In the centre of all the entertainment and food excitement will be the Sustainable Living Marketplace, the heart of the event. “Highlighting the link between the economy, the environment and the community, hundreds of savvy businesses will offer high-quality products and services that are better for your health and friendlier to the earth.” Over 200 companies will showcase their latest sustainable products like clothing, cosmetics, energy-efficient home technologies, jewelry, and more.
If you would like to attend EPIC Sustainable Living Festival, I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away. 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 one winner at random from all entries on Thursday, July 4, 2013 at 12:00pm. Follow EPIC on Twitter and Facebook for more festival information. The winner’s tickets are valid for one day of the festival.
Update The winner is @Chloe_lala!
There’s always a pop-up store opening up in Vancouver for a season but there’s never been one with as much rock and roll clout as this. Legendary rockers KISS are celebrating the release of their studio album Monster with a month-long Canadian tour and the opening of three KISS Army Depot pop-up shops across the country.
Vancouver, Edmonton, and Toronto (Calgary’s was unfortunately cancelled) all have KISS Army Depot stores this month, featuring KISS merchandise, music, and exclusive products. A portion of the proceeds from each of the Pop-Up stores will be donated to local charities. In Vancouver, the participating local charity is Sophie’s Place, at the Centre for Child Development in Surrey.
Sophie’s Place is a child advocacy centre focussed on providing specialized services to physically, mentally or sexually abused children up to age 18 in a child-friendly setting. It provides an opportunity to participate in the safeguarding of our children and in playing a key role in their healing process. Sophie’s Place is named for the centre’s patron Sophie Tweed-Simmons.
Autograph Signing
The downtown Vancouver shop opened last week at 929 Granville/Tom Lee Music and it will only be around for another few days. The official grand opening is tomorrow — Thursday, July 4, 2013 — and the first 200 fans to arrive (check-in is at 10:00am) will have the opportunity to get their Kiss Army Depot merchandise (or small item, no instruments) signed by the band following a press conference. All four members of KISS will be on site, in full makeup, for the event.
Tour
The Vancouver KISS Army Depot will be open until July 7th, Edmonton’s will open July 13th until the 21st at West Edmonton Mall, and Toronto’s will be open July 19th to July 28th at 842 Yonge Street. KISS will kick off their Monster Canadian Tour on July 5th in Victoria, followed by a July 6th performance in Vancouver before heading out to the Okanagan and over the Rockies.
The Best Airport in North America is once again hosting free weekly entertainment and activities as Take Off Fridays return to YVR.
Take Off Fridays at Vancouver International Airport (“YVR”) run every Friday from July 5th to August 30th, 2013 from 9:00am to 3:00pm both before and after the security areas. Travellers and locals alike can spend some time in this award-winning airport listening to live DJs and musicians, and checking out free entertainment from caricaturists, balloonists, artists, and more. Meet mascots, dance to music, and fold your best paper airplane.
The free Public Observation Area has interactive displays year-round with history and behind-the-scenes looks at Canada’s second busiest airport. Look out at the airfield through telescopes and learn more about Sea Island.
While you’re at Take Off Fridays, you can enter to win the weekly prize draw for the ultimate “YVR Staycation Package”. This includes a behind the scenes tour of the airport (for a family of 4), one night accommodation at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport, and $250 YVR Bucks to spend at the airport’s wide range of shops and services.
If you have about an hour to spare, you can joing YVR’s Explorer Tour for a free one hour before-security walking tour. These depart at 10:00am from the The Spirit of the Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe sculpture on Level 3 of the International Terminal (across from the food court).
Other deals on Take Off Fridays include $10 lunch specials from a variety of the airport’s 20 restaurants and $5 parking (in the parkade) for up to 4 hours (between 9:00am and 3:00pm on Take Off Fridays). Parking vouchers available at the Customer Information counters. Regular parking rates apply after four hours. You can also take the Canada Line in, making for a fun-filled day of transportation-themed education and entertainment with the family.
