Vancouver 2010 Olympic Anniversary Events

Yesterday CTV was looking for news and events surrounding any kind of Vancouver 2010 anniversary events. Turns out, there’s plenty going on around town and so far 10,000 people have signed up on Facebook for a simple gathering on Granville — anywhere on Granville between Drake and Georgia. 

Photo credit: Mananetwork on Flickr

Cauldron
The Olympic cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza will be lit at 4:00pm on February 12th, 2011

Breakfast with John Furlong
VANOC CEO John Furlong will be at the Vancouver Convention Centre West Saturday February 12th, 2011 from 9:30am until 11:30am. Meet Mr Furlong, have breakfast, and grab a copy of his new book. Tickets are available for $35 or $55.

Robson Square
Free skating and with other free & family-friendly activities planned from 9:00am – 11:00pm February 12th. The entertainment line-up includes: Four Host First Nations (with representatives of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh), Mark Donnelly – Mr. O Canada, Uzume Taiko, Koan, Public Dreams, Inez, The Shirleys, En Karma with South Asian Arts, Jets Overhead, Dustin Bentall, and Said the Whale.

There will also be free admission to the Vancouver Art Gallery February 12th.

Olympic Glory Relived on Granville
Beginning at noon and running until 9:00pm on February 12th, Granville Street will be activated from Smithe to Dunsmuir. Enjoy buskers, street hockey, and the Lunar Festival parade. Organized by the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. There will once again be street closures along Robson, Seymour, and Granville. The Facebook event with the unstoppable momentum will culminate on the same date at the same locations.

Granville and Smithe will be home to the “Centre Ice” celebration site and Canadian figure skate Patrick Chan will be doing meet and greets at the McDonald’s as well.

Olympic Street Hockey on Granville
On February 12th while Robson and Granville Streets will be closed to traffic and there will be a charity street hockey game in the afternoon.

LunarFest
Lunar Fest will take place February 3rd until the 13th as well. You may remember the lanterns and art from Lunar Fest last year that were on Granville between Robson and Georgia. 

Illuminate Yaletown
Illuminate Yaletown will be back February 11th at 12th with features contemporary light art installations.

Whistler
Two events in Whistler are outlined by Tourism Vancouver. 

With Glowing Hearts Film Screening
There will be a free screening of With Glowing Hearts on February 12th. This documentary followed social media documentarians, protestors, journalists and more throughout the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Canucks
There will be a “salute to 2010” at the Vancouver Canucks game February 12th.

Volunteer Reunion
Olympic “blue jackets” or “smurfs” (or whichever name everyone had for the beloved and tireless volunteers) will have a reunion at Jack Poole Plaza February 12th at 4:00pm. Torchbearers are also encouraged to come out for their own reunion event at the same time and location.

Olympic Village, Creekside
Creekside Community Recreation Centre will host a free family-friendly community event in the Creekside gymnasium from 11:00am – 3:00pm February 12. The event will feature a range of Olympic and Paralympic themed activities including a hockey sledge race, winter sports on Wii, pin trading, 2010 memorabilia on display and a big-screen TV showing Games highlights. Organized by Vancouver Parks and Recreation.

Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain will be open for 24 hours between February 12th and 13th to celebrate the Olympic anniversary. Activities will include a torch parade of skiers, a one-day kids hockey tournament on the outdoor rink.

West Vancouver
The Columba Light Festival will take place February 11th and 12th with performances by Mother Mother and Said the Whale along with drumming, dancing, and ice skating at the Park Royal outdoor rink.

Irish House
Doolin’s Irish Pub is bringing Irish House back February 26th.

Closing Ceremony
The TD Winter Carnival at Robson Square will commemorate the closing ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with a day of midway games, skating, free hot chocolate and more. Join the fun Sunday, February 27th, 2011 from 12:00pm until 4:00pm.

Thinking back on all of the amazing memories, free celebrations, and impromptu gatherings, I have recently spent some time going through my Olympic and Paralympics posts and photos.

I’m not sure what everyone is expecting, or what else they would like to see, but I’m sure the public will create their own event regardless of anything that might be formally setup (eg. the Facebook event mentioned above). O! Canada will be sung and hands will be sore from high-fives, that’s for certain.

Stay tuned to @Miss604, @OlymGlryRelived, @DowntownVan, and the tag #ReliveIT on Twitter for event information which will also be posted here as announcements are made.