What were those random Coal Harbour fireworks? It’s a question many take to social media to ask and they often get the same answer from the Vancouver Convention Centre, and me if they haven’t yet posted anything.
@Miss604 sorry for the delay. Yes the fireworks were put on in conjunction with a convention being held. Thanks.
— Vancouver Convention Centre (@VanConventions) May 14, 2014
The random fireworks — random meaning they were not advertised and they’re not part of the Honda Celebration of Light — are usually attached to a convention, conference, or major private event at the convention centre. However, The Province reports that there are other ways to get a private, unpublicized fireworks show to happen:
…”If you happen to have the cash, say $25,000 to $50,000, BC Event Management can set up a pretty impressive fireworks display just for you — and whoever else happens to be in the neighbourhood, specifically Coal Harbour. The Vancouver-based company specializes in big events like opening ceremonies, gala banquets and openings — but it also serves as the agent for GFA Pyro, which was formerly Fiatlux.”
These fireworks surprise locals, can be heard quiet clearly across the city, and playfully disrupt late nights with bursts of colour and curiosity. So the next time you see the reflections on glass buildings and hear the distinctive, repetitive booms, know that it’s a mining conference, union convention, or simply someone’s (big) birthday bash.
Tourism Vancouver just released a new video to promote out city, with a focused on just that — the city. “With our mountains, ocean and forests we sometimes forget just how exciting and energetic our downtown core is. When your hotel reservation agent asks you if you’d like an ocean view or city view room we recommend a city view.”
I think it’s a great campaign to showcase our bustling burg along with its mix of architecture, from Art Deco and Arthur Erickson’s concrete, to the shimmering teal of False Creek’s towers that helped Douglas Coupland dub us the “City of Glass”.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Review — This is not a paid post. Views are my own. I was a part of a media tour that received complimentary transportation and access to attractions. Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
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Living in the West End — near Robson Street, hotels, Stanley Park and other attractions — I am frequently surrounded by tour buses and sightseeing vehicles. In such a tourism-oriented city, it takes a little something extra to stand out and I think Landsea Tours just might have struck gold with their new Sea to Sky offering.
Landsea Tours was founded in 1985 and 25 years later, Landsea Tours & Adventures owns and operates a fleet of 16 vehicles consisting of 24 passenger Mini-Coach, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Vans and Luxury SUVs, annually carrying more than 40,000 guests on daily scheduled sightseeing tours, private tours, charters and group activities.
I had my first and only experience with Landsea last week with the media group that went up to the brand new Sea to Sky Gondola. We all met at Canada Place, arms full of cameras and decked out in rain coats — like good tourists in our hometown.
The Sea to Sky Tour is brand new — researched and narrated by Landsea’s own operators — taking guests across the Lions Gate Bridge, up the Sea to Sky Highway, and stopping at some natural, historic, and downright beautiful locations along the way.
Our tour was a bit different though. We hopped off at Horseshoe Bay and thanks to Sewell’s Marina, we suited up for a zodiac ride across Howe Sound. Surrounded by mountains reaching down from their snow-capped peaks to catch the turquoise waves of this coastal outlet, we rode the waves all the way to Britannia Beach.
When we disembarked at Britannia Beach, Landsea picked us up again and took us to the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Sea to Sky with Landsea Tours
Landsea’s new Sea to Sky tour is about 7 hours long and costs $89.00 for adults, $59.00 for children, and infants are free — all attraction admission is included in your tour.
You will visit the seaside village of Horseshoe Bay, have a photo op at Shannon Falls (BC’s 3rd largest waterfall), experience the underground mine at Britannia Mine Museum, head up the Sea to Sky Gondola (2800ft up, that is), walk across the Sky Pilot suspension bridge, and return to Vancouver.
This tour will be offered from May 23rd through September 8th. It goes beyond the city and explores the Outdoor Recreation Capital of the World (Squamish, BC) — giving visitors an accessible adventure for a great value. For more information, check out Landsea Tours & Adventures on Facebook and Twitter.
Last September the Vancouver Canadians won their third straight Northwest League title and these champions want to engage the loyal and fun-loving fans in Vancouver in their latest promotion, helping them name their Next Top Mascot.
Vancouver Canadians Next Top Mascot
He is already being touted as one of Minor League Baseball’s most intriguing and fierce new characters, yet the Vancouver Canadians newest addition to the baseball family has no official name.
The Canadians, who return to Scotiabank Field on Wednesday, June 18th at 7:05pm, are calling on fans of all ages to help name their newest, fun-loving character through a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ promotion pegged as ‘Next Top Mascot’.
“We have some really creative and passionate fans that I believe will enjoy this challenge,” said Canadians president Andy Dunn. “They have a real passion for the history of the game here in Vancouver and asking them to help name our latest character is a fun way to tap into their ideas and get us all excited about another season of Canadians Baseball which is now just weeks away.”
The mark, which may look familiar to some, was introduced this past January as a historical tribute to the great baseball history Vancouver has enjoyed out at Scotiabank Field dating back to 1951 when the Capilanos and Mounties took to the field at the base of Queen Elizabeth Park paving the way for the current team’s tremendous success. [Watch the Video | Read the Press Release]
Fans are invited to submit their name suggestion in one of four ways:
Drop off your entry at the Canadians’ box office at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium, now open from 9:00am to 5:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am to 3:00pm on weekends
Enter through Facebook or Twitter using the hashtag #NextTopMascot
Like the Vancouver Canadians Facebook page, then post your idea with the hashtag
Follow @vancanadians on Twitter, then tweet your idea with the hashtag
The grand prize is a family pack of Canadians baseball fun, including 4 Season Tickets to the upcoming 2014 season, 4 Canadians jerseys featuring the new logo and a chance to throw out the first pitch at an upcoming Canadians’ game!
If more than one entrant submits the same winning name, the prize-winner will be drawn at random from all winning entrants. The winner will be announced June 1st. The 2014 baseball season kicks off on June 13th, with the Canadians’ home opener on June 18th against the Spokane Indians at Scotiabank Field at Nat Bailey Stadium.
The official grand opening of the Sea to Sky Gondola will take place May 16th but this spectacular attraction, that makes the wild of the sea to sky corridor accessible, is up and running right now as a preview. I attended a media tour last week where we met with locals and got a tour of the trail network. Everyone is excited about the opportunities that the gondola has opened up for the region, making Squamish even more of a destination than before.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is located just 45 minutes north of downtown Vancouver in Squamish, BC — the outdoor recreation capital of the world. You’ll find the parking lot turn off just past Shannon Falls, along with the visitor centre, shop, Basecamp Cafe, and your lift up the mountain.
The ten minute gondola ride to over 885 metres above sea level provides easy access to incredible coastal mountain terrain, making it accessible to families, hikers, walkers, and strollers and wheelchairs.
Sea to Sky Gondola Trails
Our media group followed two walking trails after leaving the Summit Lodge and crossing the suspension bridge. From The Spirit Trail Viewing Platform we then took The Spirit Trail along a 400 meter loop with interpretive signs detailing the natural and First Nations history of the area. The muffled drum-like calls of a grouse echoed through the trees as our boots crunched the freshly-laid gravel.
We came full-circle a few minutes later and returned to the back side of the Summit Lodge where we then walked over to The Panorama Trail.
This 1.6km loop leads you past white pines, hemlock, red cedar, and lush carpets of moss before you come across the dramatic Chief Overlook Platform. From here you can’t help but look down at the legendary Stawamus Chief, one of the largest granite monoliths in the world, and attempt to spot hikers and rock climbers ascending its popular rock faces.
If you’re up for more adventure, you can skip the gondola ride on the way up and take the Sea to Summit Trail, which connects to the Wrinkle Rock Trail. Winding its way up from neighbouring Shannon Falls, it eventually reaches the Summit Lodge where you can take the gondola down. Please note these are backcountry trails so be sure to read up on all of the hiking information available and be prepared for the length of the trip and the elements.
Sea to Sky Gondola Summit Lodge
The crisp new post-and-beam Summit Lodge hosts a cafe, bar, dining area, large patio and outdoor dining area, viewing platform, event space, restrooms, gift shop, and more. It’s also where you can sample Howe Sound Brewing’s latest creation, Sky Pilot Northwest Pale Ale, brewed specifically for the Sea to Sky Gondola.
Sea to Sky Gondola Tickets
As a local, your best bet is a season pass, available for $99 or a family season pass for $249. If you’re a hiker, you can also get a ‘download only’ pass starting at $39.95 for the season. Individual tickets are for sale inside the visitor centre for $34.95 adults 19+, $32.95 seniors 65+, $22.95 youth 13-18, $13.95 children 6-12, and children under 6 years old are free. Family day passes are available for $89.95 and single day ‘download only’ passes are $9.95*.
Sea to Sky Gondola Hours
The gondola will be running from 9:00am to 5:00pm daily until the official opening on May 16th when it will remain open until 9:00pm. Summer hours will follow, from May 17th until October 13th, opening 9:00am to 5:00pm, remaining open with special sunset hours on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sunday until 9:00pm. Winter hours will be in effect after that time.
Any other questions you might have can be answered online, and you can check out the live webcam for current conditions. Follow the Sea to Sky Gondola on Facebook and Twitter for more information.
*All prices are sourced from the Sea to Sky Gondola website as of May 12, 2014 and are subject to change.
