Somehow one of the busiest long weekends of the year as crept up on us and is ready to pounce. With blazing temperatures and lively festivals it’ll be one hot weekend for events.
Friday, July 30th
Pride Week events
Spirit of the Sea Festival in White Rock
Canadian National BBQ Championships in Whistler
Saturday, July 31st
Cates Park Concert Series in North Vancouver
Powell Street Festival
Pride Week events
Writer Evelyn Lau will be at the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre for a reading/talk
Carnaval del Sol
Spirit of the Sea Festival in White Rock
Canadian National BBQ Championships in Whistler
Celebration of Light fireworks finale
Sunday, August 1st
Powell Street Festival
Pride Parade
Spirit of the Sea Festival in White Rock
Canadian National BBQ Championships in Whistler
Jamaican Festival in Surrey
12th Street Festival in New Westminster
Monday August 2nd, 2010
Free admission at Fort Langley for BC Day
BC Day festivities at Lonsdale Quay
Granville Island Waterpark open until September
View full event listings for the month of August here.
On Monday you can hit the beaches, try out a Day Trip, visit a local park, or rest up that sunburn. The Province put together a nice roundup and Vancouver is Awesome has event listings under their newest feature, The Paste Up.
Should you have any events in August that you would like listed (there’s never a charge) please feel free to send the info my way.
It was announced late yesterday that local hockey broadcaster and Canucks commentator Tom Larscheid is set to retire at the start of this coming NHL season.
“He was the colour-man on Vancouver hockey broadcasts for all but four NHL seasons since 1977, and for more than a generation of hockey fans Larscheid’s insight and instincts provided a blunt barometer of the team’s performance – good or bad.” [Canada.com]
The ever-enthusiastic “Tommy”, as fans and colleagues affectionately call him, has several Facebook and forum pages dedicated to some of his colourful quotes which are fun to browse. He’s passionate, has an infectious laugh, big bright smile, and he always has time to pose for a photo with me.
Larscheid’s character and enthusiasm will definitely be missed as he has been such a big part of Canucks hockey in Vancouver. Taking over will be Dave Tomlinson, former NHL player and current Team 1040 host.
I’m not going to lie, this quote from the Canada.com article got me pretty choked up:
“I’m grateful to the listeners and honoured to have worked with three of the very best play-by-play men in the business in Jim Robson, Jim Hughson and John Shorthouse. And Rick Ball is going to be right up there, too. I always called it the way I saw it and I had a lot of fun doing it. My only regret is I never got to say: `The Vancouver Canucks are Stanley Cup champions.’ ”
Last night Team Mexico rocked the Celebration of Light fireworks in English Bay. While I haven’t heard any official feedback from those who attended, the shouts and applause from hotel balconies around us seemed to praise the show.
Photo credit: on Flickr
It’s always a treat to wake up and see some fantastic photos added to the Miss604 Flickr group and I’m impressed that these photographers captured the fireworks so well (and processed then uploaded the photos with such speed). I’m enjoying all of the different vantage points as well, hopefully it gives some inspiration for unique viewing spots to check out.
Please be sure to click-through on the images to view more from each of these photographers. Should you take any photos of the Celebration of Light fireworks Saturday (during the grand finale) please feel free to add them to the Miss604 Flickr group.
This morning our pal and local photographer Tyler Ingram took to the shores of English Bay to capture some of the Celebration of Light fireworks aftermath. Crowds seemed to have ignore most of the black trash bins, some of which were toppled, as litter was strewn across the streets, sand, and grass.
It doesn’t matter where the crowds came from (whether it was from up the street or across a bridge) everyone needs to do their part in this situation. I passed quite a few garbage cans that were overflowing with bottles and recyclables on Davie Street the other night, which means many do have the right idea. However when you have this number of people, everything can simply pile up.
Crews are out there this morning picking up the mess that was left behind. The other two fireworks nights were no exception.
If you can carry food and drinks down to the beach, you then have the ability to carry the garbage you produce back up to a trash bin. Instead of packing that extra bottle of Crown Royal or six-pack of light lime beer (that will get confiscated or poured out by police) please pack a garbage bag and be a hero for those around you.
According to a National Geographic ranking, Vancouver is the #10 best city in the world for beaches.
Here’s why they chose us: “Canada’s most adventurous metropolis is home to ten beaches, from the family-centric Jericho to the clothing-optional Wreck Beach, many of which offer commanding views of the Vancouver skyline and majestic North Shore Mountains. Sporty types prefer Kitsilano or “Kits” a six-minute drive from downtown, for its free tennis and basketball courts, and its super-size heated saltwater pool.”
While some think our water is too chilly or cloudy, I think the main attraction here is how close the beaches are to the city. Within 10 minutes I can walk to English Bay, 15 to Second Beach, and 20 to Third Beach. Then within 10 minutes from downtown I can drive to Kits Beach, 15 to Jericho, Locarno, or Spanish Banks, and about 20 to Wreck. You can hop in for a swim on a scorching hot day if you like but there’s much more to do at our beaches.
Vancouver has many options for sea-side recreation and when you cap that off with a view of the North Shore mountains, it’s just the icing on the cake.
Our waters are active year-round with boats, kayaks, stand-up boards and more — heck we even take strolls down to the beach when it’s snowing.
Another draw (or reason for the Top Beach title) is that there are so many other options nearby. From Ambleside and Deep Cove on the North Shore, to Belcarra, Crescent Beach and White Rock.
Let’s not forget about the lakes while we’re at it. Buntzen, Sasamat, Cultus… When you live in Metro Vancouver a beach of some kind is never too far away.
As a side note, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup takes place in September. You can register your own clean-up location or join one that is already on the map. Let’s all do our part to ensure that our beaches remain free of litter, garbage, and harmful debris.
![[12/365] R&R is Underestimated](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4594076163_06b3e0dd7d.jpg)
