This morning the Vancouver Park Board said on Twitter that June 15th (the date of the Canucks game 7 match-up with the Boston Bruins) is also the 170th 103rd birthday anniversary of the death of Lord Stanley1. While we know Stanley for the park that was named in his honor, and his coveted cup, I thought it might be worth learning a bit more about the man with the famous name.
Lord Stanley (Frederick Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby) was the 6th Governor General of Canada who served from 1888 to 1893. I learned more about Lord Stanley when we watched the CBC’s Hockey: A People’s History a few years ago, which I highly recommend.
The story goes that Lord Derby (he was Baron Stanley of Preston as well) had two sons that loved to play hockey and got their parents hooked on the game as well. Around 1892-1893 Lord Stanley donated the silver cup that would be awarded to the best amateur hockey club in the country. It was first known as the Challenge Cup and by 1909 it was awarded to professional teams exclusively. Since 1926 it’s been the prize for the top team in the National Hockey League. [source]
However, before there was a cup, there was a park – in Vancouver. From VancouverHistory:
1889 brought us the first visit to Vancouver by a Governor General. On October 29 Lord Stanley of Preston, who had been sworn in the year before, dedicated Stanley Park, which had been opened in September, 1888. An observer at the dedication wrote: “Lord Stanley threw his arms to the heavens, as though embracing within them the whole of one thousand acres of primeval forest, and dedicated it ‘to the use and enjoyment of peoples of all colours, creeds, and customs, for all time’.”
1960. Governor General Georges Vanier unveiling the Lord Stanley statue. Vancouver archives item# Mon N63.5
A few days before the dedication, incidentally, a letter was written (we’re not sure by whom) promising a suitable monument to commemorate the event. City archivist J.S. Matthews would discover that letter in 1950, more than 60 years after it was written, and realize the promise had not been fulfilled. He began a fund-raising campaign, and raised enough money to commission a statue. It took a while: the statue—created by English sculptor Sydney Marsh, and capturing Stanley’s expansive gesture—wouldn’t be unveiled until May 19, 1960. Fittingly, that ceremony was presided over by another Governor General, Georges Vanier.
Lord Stanley, adorned with a replica cup during the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals in Vancouver, is immortalized at the entrance to the park named in his honor.
You can find him in bronze when you walk along the causeway (from downtown) on the Coal Harbour side – just over the pedestrian bridge. The statue was installed on May 29, 1960, thanks to the research and efforts of our city’s first archivist, Major Matthews.
1 Thanks to Bob Mackin for the correction on the anniversary stat.
When I was growing up in Surrey, our summer activities included rollerblading over to Mac’s for some Frosters, swimming in the Kwantlen Park Pool, running various park trails, and heading out to the skate park with our BMX bikes. Over the last five years or so, there’s been much more going on throughout the summer (and even the whole year) in what was once the City of Parks. Here is a small sampling of some of the free summer festivals and events you can enjoy in Surrey this season.
South Surrey Festival
When: Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 11:00am to 4:00pm
Where: Kwomais Point Park (1379 128 St)
What: Crafts for kids, live music and entertainment, face painting, artisan displays, and more Website
Surrey Fest Downtown
When: Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 11:00am to 6:00pm
Where: North Surrey Recreation Centre Parking Lot & Central City Plaza
What: The 13th annual festival that celebrates community. Free for all ages to enjoy entertainment, food, activities, silent auction, and displays Website
Park Play Palooza
When: Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 11:00am to 2:00pm
Where: Cloverdale Athletic Park (6330 168 St)
What: A free park party with live music, rock climbing wall, Science World activities, and more Website
Surrey Canada Day
When: Friday, July 1, 2011 from 11:00am to 10:30pm
Where: Cloverdale Millenium Amphitheater (176 St and 64 Ave)
What: One of Western Canada’s largest Canada Day celebrations. This all-day event includes rides, food vendors, displays, activities for the family, and a main-stage lineup of artists including Trooper and Elise Estrada. Website
Surrey Fusion Festival
When: Saturday July 16 & Sunday July 17, 2011 from 11:00am to 10:00pm
Where: Holland Park (Corner of King George Highway & Old Yale Road)
What: A free celebration of global food, music, and culture. It’s one of our favourite annual events with so much to see and do — and did I mention the food? Sample delicacies from around the world, and watch dance and music on the festival stages. Headliners this year include Jay Sean and Bedouin Soundclash. Website
To reiterate, all of these festivals are free and (hopefully) out in the sunshine this June and July. You can get to all of these locations by transit (either SkyTrain or bus) and they are all family-friendly.
Even though Vancouver is a hockey town, there is a strong history of baseball that runs deep. From the Asahi at the Powell Street Grounds to our Little League World Champion participants and of course, the legendary Nat Bailey Stadium where Babe Ruth once visited.
I admit, it wasn’t until I married a man from Iowa that my passion for baseball grew. He took me to my first Vancouver Canadians game, Seattle Mariners game, and to see the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 80% humidity on a steamy midwest afternoon. We’ve even played catch at the Field of Dreams.
Thanks to the BC Sports Hall of Fame, I’ve been able to learn more about baseball history and some of the great British Columbians who have played the game over the last few decades. Each week, for the next three weeks, I’ll be featuring a Hall of Fame Inductee and their contributions to baseball. Today’s featured BC Sports Hall of Fame baseball inductee is Larry Walker
Courtesy BC Sports Hall of Fame
Hometown: Maple Ridge, British Columbia Inducted: 2009 Biography:Larry Walker is one of the greatest Canadian-born ballplayers of all time. Larry played 17 major league seasons from 1989-2005. Walker established himself as one of the most feared combinations in all of baseball fusing blanket fielding with a monster bat. Over the course of his 17-year career with the Expos, Colorado Rockies and St. Louis Cardinals, he would win seven Golden Gloves, three Silver Sluggers, and was named to five All-Star Games.
His career season came in 1997 with the Rockies, where he hit .366 with 49 homers, 130 RBIs, and 33 stolen bases earning the National League MVP, the first Canadian-born player ever awarded this honour. A year later, Walker won the Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s most outstanding athlete.
With each profile, I will also be hosting a series of giveaways that include 10 tickets as well as the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. I’ll be drawing one winner each week who will be able to bring their own cheering section with them, using all 10 tickets.
Here’s how you can enter to win for the game Monday, June 20th at 7:05pm against the Yakima Bears.
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Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I want to throw out the first pitch & win 10 tickets to see @VanCanadians thanks to @BCSportsHall & @Miss604 http://bit.ly/kM6ZY8
I will draw one winner on Thursday, June 16th at 9:00am 3:00pm.
Fresh off Stanley Cup fever, Vancouverites can enjoy ‘Nooners at the Nat and warm summer evenings at the ballpark starting June 17th as the Vancouver Canadians begin their season.
With individual game tickets in the reserved grandstand starting at just $12.50, it’s an ideal destination for families, and even fun night out with someone special (with a dog ‘n a beer).
Update Thanks to Rich at Patterson Brands we also have a Vancouver Canadians cap to give away with this prize package (value $25).
I love featuring creative videos of Vancouver, from time lapses to tributes that tug at our heart strings. There’s no shortage of content being uploading during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and fan enthusiasm is at an all-time high. Even the Johnny Canuck video has been published on the Huffington Post. In case you were unable to witness the 100,000 fans in the downtown core last Friday, here’s the latest Canucks-themed video (sent to me by Hockey Community) to get your heart pumping.
Here are two more time lapse videos of streets that intersect with Granville that show just how massive the crowds have been getting.
The Village on False Creek is presenting the free “Village Carnivale” this week with community artists, performers, activities, food vendors, face-painting, and a 65-foot ferris wheel.
The Carnivale runs Thursday June 16 & Friday June 17 (4:00pm to 9:00) and Saturday June 18 & Sunday June 19 (11:00am to 7:00pm). The festival is free for all ages and ferris wheel rides are $4 per person (case only) – free for children under 6 (accompanied by an adult). Village Carnivale is in partnership with Public Dreams (LunarFest, Illuminares, Secret Souls Walk).
The Village at False Creek is located in South East False Creek between Columbia and Ontario, from Athletes Way to the water (the Olympic Athletes Village site). Village Carnivale is one of several community events happening in the space this summer.
