Vancouver was incorporated in April of 1886 and the months that followed were full of growth, development, and unfortunately a giant setback in the form of the Great Vancouver Fire. By the time August rolled around, the city was rebuilding and as Chuck Davis notes in his History of Metropolitan Vancouver, it was usually a time when new technologies were introduced to the city. Here are just a few advancements that happened in Vancouver, in August, over the last century:
August in Vancouver History
1895: Old
Market Hall on Main Street. Archives# City P6.
August 2, 1897
There was an “Ethiopticon Kinetoscope” exhibition today at Vancouver’s Market Hall, bringing motion picture movies to the city for the first time.
August 3, 1939
Vancouver’s police department cars had two-way radios installed.
1898: English Bay. Archives# Be P124.
August 6, 1898
Telephones were installed at English Bay, the cost to use them was 5 cents.
1912: BC Electric Railway Company’s interurban tram station. Archive# LGN 1162.
August 8, 1887
A switch was thrown and the first electric lights came on in Vancouver.
August 11, 1915
Premier Richard McBride was on the North Shore to open up Marine Drive, an important arterial road that opened up areas like Caulfeild.
August 13, 1977
The Vancouver Lookout, atop Harbour Centre, opened on this day. Neil Armstrong, who had already made a set of famous footprints on the moon, came up and left a fresh set in concrete at this Vancouver attraction.
August 23, 1990
The Surrey campus of Kwantlen University College opened.
August 25, 1960
Premier W.A.C. Bennett opened the Ironworkers Memorial Second Narrows Crossing in a solemn ceremony that commemorated the men who had died in its construction.
August 26, 1957
At midnight, one-way streets were instituted, changing the way we get around downtown Vancouver.
August 31, 1957
Elvis Presley performed one song at Empire Stadium and had to leave the stage when fans began to battle with police. He returned to sing four more songs, none of which could be heard over the screaming.
Sources: Vancouver History. Related Posts: January 1st in Vancouver History, February in Vancouver History, March in Vancouver History, July in Vancouver History, October in Vancouver History, November in Vancouver History, December in Vancouver History.
This summer I have the enviable task of sharing adventures and writing about some of the Sunshine Coast’s many festivals through a partnership with FestivalSeekers. Once I’ve published my story for them, I’ll be posting an accompanying photo collage on Miss604. Follow all of these stories through my Sunshine Coast tag.
Sunshine Music Festival in Powell River
Where: Palm Beach Park, Powell River, BC
When: Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, September 6th, 2015
The 34th Annual Sunshine Music Festival is set to take place during Labour Day Weekend and is a celebration of music from across Canada and the world. I caught up with long-time volunteer Dan Minard in his home workshop in Powell River earlier this summer to talk about his hobby as a guitar-maker and about his involvement with the Sunshine Music Festival.
Just as music festival comes together with layers of components, from artists and food vendors to the craft market and musicians, a guitar build comes together similarly. Only in Minard’s case, it’s with bridges, bodies, soundboards, saddles, steel strings, and frets. “You put together a complete plan and gather up all the pieces.” The results can be exquisite, and a lot of fun.”
Read my full article about the Sunshine Music Festival in Powell River over on the FestivalSeekers website and check out Sunshine Coast Tourism to plan your trip to this beautiful coastal region.
On Saturday night it was Team Canada’s turn to dazzle half a million fireworks spectators in the 25th Honda Celebration of Light. Following strong showings from China and Brazil, SHOREfest concerts, and aerial shows in the skies, it was a special anniversary year for the festival. At the end of the night, Team Canada was pronounced the winner this year and in case you missed the event, here are some photos of their colourful show:
Team Canada Fireworks Photos
Over three nights, the Honda Celebration of Light saw over 1.1 Million fans this year coming from communities across the Lower Mainland and throughout BC. Dates for the 2016 event will be announced in the fall.
It’s Pride Week in Vancouver and that means there will be no shortage of events for the LGBTQ2+ community and beyond. This weekend alone there is the Pride Youth Dance, Laugh Out! Starring Elvira Kurt, and the Pride in the Village BBQ, and next weekend is Pride Night at the Whitecaps Match. The biggest of all events is the Vancouver Pride Parade, which draws over half a million spectators downtown each year and is one of the largest and most successful LGBTQ2+ events in the world. This year’s theme is Gender Superheroes.
Vancouver Pride Parade 2015
Ever since we have lived in the West End (going on 10 years now) John and I have enjoyed watching the pride parade because it is so cheerful, inclusive, fun-filled, and vibrant. It has great music, exciting floats, happy faces, giveaways, and everyone from church groups and bands to community organizations and businesses take part. Here’s all you need to know about this year’s Vancouver Pride Parade:
When Sunday, August 2, 2015 from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Where The parade begins at Robson Street and Thurlow Street, heads west to Denman Street, follows Denman to Pacific Street and Beach Avenue and finishes at Sunset Beach Pride Festival and Pride Market.
Click here to view large map
At the Sunset Beach Pride Festival and Pride Market you can browse through over one hundred exhibitors including local artisans, supporters and community organizations. A variety of bands, drag performers and speakers will be featured on the main stage, with DJs spinning in the beer garden throughout the day.
2015 Pride Parade Grand Marshals
To inspire people this year and reflect the diversity at Pride, Roan Reimer, Michelle Fortin, and Romi Chandra Herbert are this year’s Pride Grand Marshals.
Vancouver Pride Parade Viewing Areas
Spectators can line the streets all along Robson, Denman and Beach Avenue. There are a few hosted viewing parties as well at The Boathouse and at Allstar Wings and Ribs.
Vancouver Pride Parade Road Closures
Road closures will run anywhere between 8:00am and 4:00pm on Sunday, August 2, 2015.
- Alberni Burrard to Thurlow 1000 block: 7:00am to 3:00pm
- Alberni Bute to Thurlow 1100 block: 7:00am to 3:00pm Local Traffic Only
- Robson Burrard to Bute 1000 to 1100 blocks: 7:00am to 3:00pm
- Thurlow Georgia to Nelson 700 to 900 blocks: 7:00am to 3:00pm
- Robson Bute to Denman 1100 to 1600 blocks: 10:00am to 3:30pm
- Denman Robson to Beach 800 to 1200 blocks: 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Beach Denman to Jervis 1300 to 1700 blocks: 10:00am to 4:00pm
- Pacific Jervis to Burrard 1000 to 1200 blocks: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Vancouver Pride Parade Etiquette
Tips on being a good spectator from parade organizers:
- Please stay off road – let marchers come to you to get free swag.
- No spraying water or throwing object at entries. Their costumes and sound equipment is very expensive.
- Use recycling and garbage bins provided around the venue. Help our event become zero impact.
- Parking along the Parade route is extremely limited so leave your car at home and take transit to the Parade.
- Open alcohol is prohibited on streets and parks so leave it at home. Come to the beer garden at Sunset Beach after the Parade and have a toast.
- Remember to practice sun safety by wearing a hat, applying sunscreen, and staying hydrated.
- Stay off the Parade route to give floats and marchers lots of room to move. Take all pictures from the side of the road.
The Vancouver Pride Society has all of the information you need to have a safe and happy Pride in Vancouver. Follow along on Facebook and Twitter along with the tags #VanPride + #PrideParade2015.
The second night of the Honda Celebration of Light saw an estimated 300,000 people pack Vancouver beaches for Team Brazil’s display in the longest running offshore fireworks competition. While I’m still out of town in New Orleans, I followed the comments online that called the show amazing, spectacular, and gave it an A+!
Team Brazil Fireworks Photos
The final night of the fireworks is Saturday, August 1st. Team Canada will be up at 10:00pm along with “Skydancer” Anna Serbinenko at 8:00pm. Follow the Honda Celebration of Light on Facebook and Twitter for more information and check out free SHOREfest concerts in the afternoon, leading up to the fireworks.
