This season you’ll be able to get your Glühwein and Spätzle (and more) near the Olympic Cauldron as the Vancouver Christmas Market moves from its original location at the QE Theatre Plaza, over to Jack Poole Plaza near the Vancouver Convention Centre. The city’s signature yuletide celebration will expand its revelry with more than 50,000 square feet of space, and more than 70 huts in which to savour the abundance of authentic German flavours.

Rendering for the 2016 Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market Moves to Jack Poole Plaza

• Where: Jack Poole Plaza (Vancouver Convention Centre West)
• When: November 26 to December 30, 2016 11:00am to 9:00pm (Closed at 600pm on December 24 and closed on December 25).
• Admission: See website for latest prices. All online ticket purchases will receive a complimentary Season Pass.

A limited number of 7th anniversary VIP Experience packages for two are currently on sale, while quantities last. The VIP Experience packages are $75 and Adult Admission for two includes: 2 x Carousel Rides; 2 x Collector Mugs; 2 x Glühwein or Beer; 2 x Pretzels; 1 x Take-home Gift Bottle of Bavarian Glühwein; 1 x Commemorative Photo Hut Session w/ 2 Prints + Digitals; Express Lane Access + 2 x FREE Season Passes.

New Space New Features

This year’s bigger and better market will offer visitors an abundance of new highlights including Canada’s first-ever Christmas Pyramid (a 23-foot tall, multi-level German Christmas tradition); an Alpine Haus, or warming tent accommodating more than 250 people where patrons can enjoy breathtaking views of the North Shore; and daily demonstrations of the Feuerzangenbowle (literally, ‘Fire Tongs Punch’), a mulled wine and rum beverage whose ceremonial preparations include caramelizing a large sugar cone over the concoction.

In total, the market will boast more than 22 food and drink huts –12 of which will appear for the first time in 2016. In addition to Deutschland delicacies, rousing entertainment, and returning favourites, such as the beloved Christmas Carousel, visitors can wander throughout the market’s quaint twinkling pathways of huts, discovering lovingly crafted, one-of-a-kind gifts and treasures that cry out to be slipped into stockings and placed under Christmas trees.

Follow the Vancouver Christmas Market on Facebook and Twitter for more information this season.

This post has been contributed by Michael Murray, Communications Volunteer with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”). I have been following SPES since I moved into the West End over a decade ago and I have been a member for four years. I wanted to offer the team an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I have created “SPES Saturday” where they contribute and share stories with my audience once a month.

The Fungus Among Us

Mushrooms in Stanley Park

Chicken of the Forest on a tree
in Stanley Park. Photo by Peter Woods

The fungus is definitely among us, and this fall is a great time to get out and discover the vast array of mushrooms that Stanley Park has to offer. From the edible to the poisonous, over 60 different species of fungi have been observed in the Park and offer amateur mycologists a great chance to get out and explore amazing specimens.

One of tastier mushrooms found in the Park at this time of year is Chicken of the Forest or Laetiporus sulphureus. It is aptly named because when cooked it resembles and tastes like chicken. Often found in the trails around Beaver Lake, this yellow orange mushroom grows in wide shelves on the bark of conifer trees and can measure up to 25 cm in length.

Chanterelles are another sought after mushroom that grows in Stanley Park, often found amongst the base of Douglas fir trees. They grow between 10 and 15cm tall with a yellow and white stock with fork- like edges.

Chanterelles in Stanley Park.
Photo by Peter Woods

These elusive mushrooms are considered a delicacy and are extremely nutritious with high levels of Vitamin C and D. They are most abundant between July and October, so keep an eye out next time you’re walking the trails. But, control yourself: collecting any plants in city parks, including Stanley Park, is forbidden. You will have to content yourself with the thrill of the hunt.

Another common mushroom found in the Park is Amanita muscaria or Fly Agaric. These are the toadstools of fairytales with their white stocks and vibrant orange and red caps flecked with white and yellow.

Amanita muscaria can be found growing amongst both coniferous and deciduous trees and are most prevalent during the summer and fall months. While they may look appealing, they are considered toxic having unpleasant psychoactive effects on those who consume them.

Amanita mushroom in Stanley Park

With fall just around the corner it is a great time to get out and explore the various species of mushrooms that are found throughout Stanley Park. For some expert guidance, consider SPES’ November mushroom walk and workshop. Check out their November Events Calendar soon to learn more about these programs and to register.

Special thanks to Robin Kort for her invaluable mushroom information!

The Vancouver Alpen Club has been Vancouver’s main location for the Oktoberfest for over 30 years, serving traditional Bavarian cuisine. Of course there’s also beer and the Alpen Club has partnered with two German breweries, Krombacher as well as Erdinger, the world’s largest wheat beer brewery, founded in 1886.

Since the early 19th Century in Munich, Germany, Oktoberfest has been held during late September to early October. The Vancouver Alpen Club is Vancouver’s most popular venue for celebrating the event, with guests returning each year (often in their own Dirndls and Lederhosen) to enjoy the authentic German atmosphere, beer, pretzels, German food, music and Oktoberfest traditions.

Oktoberfest at the Vancouver Alpen Club

Where: Vancouver Alpen Club (4875 Victoria Dr, Vancouver)
When: September 23 & 24; September 30 & October 1; October 14 & 15
Tickets: Available online now for all three weekends. The regular ticket $35 includes the cover charge to Oktoberfest. The $75 VIP ticket includes the cover charge and entrance to the special VIP area with a server along with a delicious German buffet.

Each day of the Oktoberfest festivities at the Vancouver Alpen Club usually sees over 400 visitors, with over 7000 liters of beer being consumed in the course of the three weekends!

Win Tickets

I have the opportunity to give away a prize pack for opening weekend of Oktoberfest at the Vancouver Alpen Club! This includes: 2 tickets on Friday, September 23rd at 8:00pm, 2 beer flights (including 4 different German beer types) and 2 classic schnitzel meals to top off the German experience. The Continentals will play a live set, and a DJ mixing fun German Schlager songs will follow, so guests can dance into the night for many entertaining hours.

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 12:00pm on Thursday, September 15, 2016. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. Follow the Vancouver Alpen Club on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Update The winner is @glencue!

The Seaforth Highlanders will host a Highland Homecoming on September 24th. This day of celebration will include a parade and ceremonies as the Regiment returns home to the Seaforth Armoury at 1650 Burrard Street, after four years away.

1936: Seaforth Armoury on Burrard. Photographer: Stuart Thomson. Archives # CVA 99-4876.

The day’s festivities will begin with a march led by the Seaforth Pipes & Drums, from the Jericho Garrison, where the Seaforth Highlanders have been stationed for the past four years, to the refurbished Seaforth Armoury. The official ceremony to reopen the Armoury will be followed by a formal parade and a Drumhead Ceremony. The afternoon will end with an entertaining and spirited military tattoo with musical performances.

Seaforth Highlanders Homecoming

Where: Seaforth Armoury (1650 Burrard St at W 1st)
Admission: Free for all to attend
When: Saturday, September 24, 2016

• 10:30am: Parade to exercise the Infantry Regiment’s Right of Freedom of the City lead by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Pipes and Drums. Route: Regiment and Cadets will depart Jericho Garrison, 4050 West 4th Avenue, march down West 4th to McDonald, left on McDonald, right on Cornwall and finally right on Burrard. The parade concludes at 1650 Burrard Street.
• 11:30am: Canadian flag raising ceremony at the Seaforth Armoury doors, 1650 Burrard St.
• 1:00pm: Parade and Drumhead Ceremony on the parade square. In honour of having the Afghanistan Battle Honour emblazoned on the Regimental Colours, veterans of the Afghanistan Campaign, from across the Lower Mainland, have been invited to parade with the Regiment.
• 2:00pm – 3:45pm: Highland Homecoming Military Tattoo connecting Vancouverites to the Military through music and Military exercise. Bands, singers, and highland dancers will entertain. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada will provide training exercises, equipment demonstrations, and a broad sword set demonstration.

Approximately 250 Seaforth Highlanders of Canada members, Cadets and Regimental Association Members will participate in the day. Music and entertainment will be provided by the Seaforth Highlanders Pipes and Drums, the Band of the 15th Field Regiment, the Vancouver Police Pipe Band, Shot of Scotch Vancouver Highland Dancers, male vocal choir Chor Leoni, along with many others.

“Before”. My photos from when I had a tour of the building four years ago before renovations began.

During the past four years, the Seaforth Armoury has undergone extensive seismic upgrades and had its building services modernized to allow the Seaforths to continue to respond to domestic emergencies such as earthquakes, wildfires, and floods as well as train to serve overseas in Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Armoury was originally opened in August 1936, and is the home of the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada and two Cadet Corps.

“Before”. My photos from when I had a tour of the building four years ago before renovations began.

Vancouver’s Infantry Regiment, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, celebrated their 100 year anniversary in 2010. Formed in 1910 by members of the local Scottish community, the Seaforths have served as volunteer soldiers, supporting Canada in every major Canadian Forces overseas mission, including the two World Wars and most recently Afghanistan.

For more information about the Homecoming event, follow Seaforth Highlanders on Twitter and Instagram.

The 35th annual Vancouver International Film Festival (“VIFF”) has announced the Canadian co-production Maudie, about real-life Nova Scotian artist Maud Lewis, will be its Opening Night film and the Terrence Malick IMAX documentary, The Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience as its Closing Night film. The two films exemplify both the exceptional content being produced in this country, and the ambitious artistry of today’s filmmakers bound to inspire audiences during VIFF, which runs from September 29th to October 14th.

VIFF Opening Gala Film

September 29, 2016: Maudie stars Sally Hawkins as the arthritic artist who overcame her physical disability to become one of Canada’s most famous folk artists. Ethan Hawke co-stars as her husband in this story of perseverance. Director Aisling Walsh will be on-hand to introduce the film.

VIFF Closing Gala Film

October 14, 2016: Coinciding with VIFF’s 35th anniversary, The Voyage of Time: The IMAX Experience took almost four decades to come to fruition and was shot in 35mm at the hands of auteur Terrence Malick. The documentary, narrated by co-producer Brad Pitt, transforms the birth of the universe into pure visual spectacle.

Special Guests

VIFF also unveiled this week, a sampling of the hundreds of guests that are expected to attend the festival. Spiritual author and public speaker Eckhart Tolle will make the world premiere of Milton’s Secret on September 30th, which is based off Tolle’s book of the same name. The actors of the film, Mia Kirshner, David Sutcliffe, and William Ainscough will be joining him.

On October 1st, writer-director Nate Parker is expected to attend for his film, The Birth of a Nation, which he also stars in. Meanwhile, Canadian actress Tatiana Maslany is expected to present the drama The Other Half. Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files, will be honoured with the Industry Builder Award for his sustainable production methods on The X-Files revival season at the Sustainable Production Forum on October 7. Finally, Canadian musician and actor John Mann will attend the BC Spotlight Awards Gala screening of Spirit Unforgettable on October 8th.

Tickets

Screening tickets start at $15. Passes and ticket packs became available online September 1st, with single tickets available online starting September 8th and in-person September 15th. Tickets for talks and events will also be available at this time. All tickets will be available for purchase at online.

Each year VIFF relies on the hard work of more than 1,000 volunteers to assist in running the festival. Volunteer registration is now open. Follow VIFF on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information about the festival, its events, special guests, and films.