Stanley Park is Vancouver’s favourite outdoor recreation destination in the heart of the city. With over 8 million annual visitors, this National Historic Site has been ranked among the top city parks in the world. We enjoy its Seawall, forest trails, attractions, beaches, rose garden, and how it provides us with a splash of nature at the edge of the bustling downtown core.
Stanley Park is also one of my favourite locations to research and I found a few interesting facts about visitors this week:
1895: Entrance to Stanley Park. Archives# St Pk P209.
During the week of July 10th to 16th, 1911 one third of Vancouver’s population passed through the gates of Stanley Park making it “one of the most popular pleasure resorts the Terminal City possesses.” [Source: Vancouver History]
1919: Entrance to Stanley Park. Archives# CVA 1376-121.
It was during this week in history that a census of every person entering the park was taken, including their mode of transportation. The results were published and it was noted that on the final day of the count, a Sunday, 21,738 pedestrians, 191 autos, 52 hacks (cabs), 367 rigs, 58 saddle horses, 148 bicycles and 173 dogs passed through the gates.
1928: Entrance to Stanley Park. Archives# St Pk P54.
Those numbers are pretty impressive for 102 years ago. Today, we get about 2.5 million pedestrians, cyclists, and inline skaters every year, which works out to an average of 6849 cyclists a day.
1942: Cyclists and pedestrians at the Stanley Park entrance. Photographer: Jack Lindsay. Archives# CVA 1184-58 & CVA 1184-79.
1940: View of the Stanley Park Causeway. Archives# St Pk P200.
This 1,001-acre gem was created in 1888 and officially opened by Mayor David Oppenheimer. This summer, celebrate the 125th anniversary of the park at Stanley Park 125, a free two-day festival happening August 24th and 25th, 2013. For more history and information, browse the Miss604 archives for years of coverage, photographs, and history.
The Grand Villa Casino in Burnaby is celebrating the opening of the city’s only tapas restaurant and lounge this week. Personas Tapas Restaurant and Lounge will offer a variety of dining and nightlife options as well as a show kitchen, oyster bar, video wall, and live music stage.
“The tapas menu offers a variety of creative and satisfying selections, from applewood smoked bacon-wrapped dates to the dynamite ahi tuna salad, created using fresh, high quality ingredients. The small share plates format keeps the focus on creating a tailored experience for each visit.”
The opening party will take place on Thursday, July 11th, 2013 starting with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 5:30pm with Burnaby Board of Trade President, Paul Holden. Festivities will continue with live music, aerial acrobats, and more starting at 8:00pm. There is a VIP reception at 7:00pm to which Miss604 readers are invited as well. This will include free tapas and drinks, along with the chance to win some great prizes. Just mention your RSVP for the VIP reception in the comments of this post to get on the list.
Photo: Tourism Burnaby
This urban playground is easy to get to — we pass by it along the highway all the time — and it offers a variety of dining options for either business lunches, romantic dinners, or a fun night out with friends sharing tapas.
My sister and I enjoyed a mini staycation at the Grand Villa in Burnaby a little while ago. We started off the evening with dinner followed by live entertainment (duelling pianos) and tried our luck at the slots before retiring to our lovely rooms at the Delta Hotel.
If you would like to experience the brand new Personas Tapas Restaurant and Lounge I have a prize pack to give away thanks to the Grand Villa Casino in Burnaby that includes: A $50 free play card for the Grand Villa Casino and a 1-night stay at the Delta Hotel (which is attached to the casino). Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment here naming who you would take with you for a night out at the Grand Villa (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
Follow the Grand Villa Casino on Twitter and Facebook for more information about reservations, special events, and promotions.
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:30pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2013. Please enjoy responsibly. Must be 19+. Hotel stay booking is based on availability. RSVP for the VIP reception on Thursday, July 11, 2013 using the comment section of this post.
Update The winner is Kam!
There are a number of free outdoor movies in Surrey this summer but Holland Park is the place to be in August as the Downtown Surrey BIA presents Movies Under the Stars in the heart of the city.
Having hosted international superstars Mumford and Sons earlier this summer, Holland Park (at King George Blvd and Old Yale/100th Ave) is set to welcome thousands more to the annual Fusion Festival in July. In August, it is the green backdrop for Movies Under the Stars. Here’s the full movie line-up:
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2013
Movie: Megamind
Megamind is the most brilliant super-villain the world has ever known… and the least successful.
Date: Saturday, August 10, 2013
Movie: Rise of the Guardians
An epic & magical adventure that tells the story of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman, and Jack Frost.
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2013
Movie: Kung Fu Panda 2
Po is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five.
Date: Saturday, August 24, 2013
Movie: The Croods
A prehistoric comedy adventure that follows the world’s first family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime when the cave that has always shielded them from danger is destroyed.
On top of the free movies, there will also be live entertainment, face painting. Activities begin at around 5:30pm each Saturday in August with movies starting between 8:50pm and 9:10pm. Refreshments will be supplied at the North Surrey Lions BBQ and feel free to bring your own blankets and lawn chairs.
Follow the Downtown Surrey BIA on Twitter and Facebook for more information about these events and others.
Miss604 is a proud media partner of Movies Under the Stars at Holland Park.
Related Post: Free Outdoor Movies in Vancouver, Surrey, Langley, Richmond, Tsawwassen.
Outstanding in the Field is returning to BC this year with events at UBC Farm and in Pemberton. This international dining series hosts a long table dinner in the middle of land that is used to supply ingredients for the meal, making for a truly farm-to-fork experience.
Outstanding in the Field is a roving culinary adventure – literally a restaurant without walls. Since 1999 we have set the long table at farms or gardens, on mountain tops or in sea caves, on islands or at ranches. Occasionally the table is set indoors: a beautiful refurbished barn, a cool greenhouse or a stately museum. Wherever the location, the consistent theme of each dinner is to honor the people whose good work brings nourishment to the table.
Ingredients used for the meals will always vary, depending on the location of the event, and the dinners are prepared by local chefs at each destination. Farmers, producers, culinary artisans, and diners all share the long table for a magical evening of food appreciation.
The Outstanding in the Field tour will make it to everywhere from Queens to Houston, Catalina Island to Chicago from May to November. Here’s what will be happening when they get to BC:
Outstanding in the Field UBC
Where: Saturday July 13, 2013 at 4:00pm
When: UBC Farm
Host Farmers: Amy Frye & Tim Carter, Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm
Guest Chefs: Lucais Syme & Adam Pegg of La Quercia in Vancouver
Feature Wine: LaStella
Tickets: On sale now and include a farm tour, wine pairings, and the meal.
Outstanding in the Field Pemberton
Where: Sunday July 14, 2013 at 3:00pm
When: North Arm Farm
Host Farmers: Jordan & Trish Sturdy, North Arm Farm
Guest Chefs: Andrea Carlson, Burdock & Co and Harvest Community Foods
Guest Oyster Shucker: Richard Boucher, Curious Oyster
Feature Wine: Nichol Vineyard
Tickets: On sale now and include a farm tour, wine pairings, and the meal.
Follow Facebook and Twitter for more information about their events in BC and around North America.
Latincouver, who brought you the fantastic Carnaval del Sol this past weekend on Granville Street downtown, is hosting Noche Latina with the Vancouver Whitecaps this coming Sunday, July 14, 2013.
Noche Latina is a celebration of Vancouver’s Latin American culture that will bring music and even more excitement to the Whitecaps’ match against Chicago. Enjoy Mariachi del Sol before the game and a ticket discount when you book through Latincouver at this link (or by contacting Emilio Ekuba at (778)330-1379 or eekuba[at]whitecapsfc.com).
John and I have been season ticket holders for the last two years and Whitecaps matches have become our staple “date night”. They’re affordable, packed with action, lively, and it feels pretty amazing to get behind your local club and its roster of international talent.
For Noche Latina all soccer lovers and fans are encouraged to wear the colours of their favourite team and bring flags of their home country to the match to brighten up the stands. You could even fly some Latin American colours in honour of Camilo Sanvezzo (Brazil) and Johnny Leveron (Honduras) of Whitecaps FC.
If you would like to attend this match, I have a pair 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 at 9:00am on Friday, July 12, 2013. While Carnaval del Sol is over for another year, follow Latincouver on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to learn more about their activities and initiatives throughout the year.
Update The winner is Denise!
