Local Interest
Reflection: Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremonies
Feb 14th
The Olympic Flame has been lit and the first medals have already been awarded. Yet I still have butterflies of excitement and expectation in my stomach from watching the opening ceremonies of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Vancouver 2010 Opening Ceremony – courtesy of nucksfan604
Even with it’s minor blemishes, I thought the ceremonies to open the Winter Games was awesome. The opening montage of having a snowboarder start on the peak of one of the coastal mountains while an announcer progressed through the various Winter Games leading to Vancouver amped up my anticipation. And having him jump into the stadium had me sitting forward in my seat at home.
Aboriginal Welcome – courtesy of nucksfan604
What has to be the best welcome of any Olympic Ceremonies I’ve seen was the Four Host First Nations welcoming both the world and the many first nations of Canada to the traditional territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh. The dancing and colours were electric and enthralling and the music alone had me racing to iTunes to pick up the Official Commemorative Album.
Alpine Activities – courtesy of s.yume
I found much of the cultural component of the opening ceremonies truly representative of Canada. With the entire stadium wearing white ponchos and a white raised floor, images were displayed throughout to outline the different seasons, the many flags, and even iconic images of Orca swimming through (and breathing too boot).
Cosmopolitan Vancouver – courtesy of nucksfan604
In my opinion, the best part of the ceremonies, was the introduction of “We Are More” from Shane Koyczan. I am at a loss for words to describe how this poem got me psyched up for what will come from our Canadian athletes and introduced our new-found patriotism to the world. Yes, we ARE the “what” in “What’s new?”
And although our ceremonies did not surpass what we saw in 2008 in Beijing, I don’t think we need to fret. Canada instead did it our way and for that I’m a proud. And every day throughout the games, I will wear feel honoured to wear red knowing that we have welcomed the world in the best way possible.
The Canadian way.
Let the Flame Burn – courtesy of s.yume
Canadian Pride
Feb 10th
Having only driving across the border a handful of times, I’d never consider myself an expert on the subject, but there seems to be a US flag on every corner – they’re everywhere. And people would likely agree that the pride that those from the US show is unreal (some would even say obnoxious). And yet as close as we are to our neighbours to the south, Canadian patriotism tends to be quiet and subdued. Sure we like to throw a party now and then, but we’re pretty laid back overall.
But not anymore.
If there is one thing that the Winter Games has done, it’s allowed Canadians to bust loose. Everywhere I go there are flags flying high, flags hanging in windows, on cars and on clothes. In fact, I’ve gotten into the action by hanging my Canadian flag up for all to see.
And you know what? I like it. I like that we Canadians are showing the world we are a proud nation. I like that we are ready to welcome the world with open arms and show them what it’s like to be a Canadian. Can you imagine what it will be like when the first Canadian athlete brings home our first gold medal on home soil? Or better yet, the sound of the Canadian anthem being played as the flag is raised high for all to see.
I’d be lying if I didn’ t say hearing the anthem at the Richmond Torch Relay Ceremony didn’t bring tears to my eyes, but I’m proud to say it nonetheless. I like to think that our pride as a nation will continue beyond the games – because that’s a Canada I could get used to.
True North Strong & Free – courtesy of John Bolwitt
Richmond Olympic Torch Relay Celebration
Feb 10th
As I mentioned yesterday, the Olympic Torch Relay was passing through Richmond and I wanted to be part of it. Ideally, I would have wanted to see the torch in Steveston, but unfortunately work got in the way so I was left with attending the celebration itself at the Richmond O Zone.
And a celebration it was!
Richmond City Hall Decked Out in Red
Richmond O Zone Banners
Richmond City Hall is completely decked out in red maple leaves, red banners, red signage. Being a proud Richmondite, let alone a super proud Canadian, I’m completely stoked that the community is getting behind the Olympic movement.
Inniskillin Ice Wine was Flowin’
Olympic Ice Gate
Inniskillin was front and centre providing tastings of it’s commemorative icewine designed especially for the 2010 Winter Games. I wasn’t able to score a taste as I was more concerned on getting a great spot to see the celebration, but having followed them on twitter, I discovered they would be present in the Richmond O Zone throughout the games. I also found out their parent company Vincor Canada was the official sponsor of wine for the Olympics:
To celebrate the 2010 Winter Games, Vincor Canada, Official Supplier of Wine, has created the exclusive Inniskillin Vidal Icewine Commemorative Edition. With a portion of the proceeds from every bottle sold supporting the Canadian Olympic Team and the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, there is no better way to honor our athletes and celebrate the best that Canada has to offer.
It’s also important to note that the Ice Gate was made possible through the sponsorship of Inniskillin. Designed by artist Gord Halloran (a Sunshine Coast resident for those keeping score), the Ice Gate is a frozen canvas of ice and colour which will continue to change and evolve throughout the Winter Games. I highly recommend that you all take a look at this magnificent piece of artwork – you should also follow Vincor Canada (@2010Wines on twitter to keep up-to-date on other locations they will be visiting.
Just a Few People
Over 20,000 people found their way into the Richmond O Zone and even more outside lined the street as Rick Hansen carried the torch to the community cauldron on the stage. I was fortunate enough to get there early and acquire what turned out to be a great spot to get some video (best footage is about 2 mins in):
http://www.vimeo.com/9345077
I also caught footage of Rick talking about the importance of achieving your dreams – a very stirring speech that revived memories I have of his return from the Man in Motion tour. Having got my eyes slightly moistened, the following rendition of Oh Canada ensured that tears of pride flowed freely (something I’ll also have online sooner than later).
And what would any post about the Richmond O Zone be without pictures of Holland Heineken House?
Entrance to Holland Heineken House
Me Thinks Orange is the Colour
Holland Heineken House will serve as the official home to to the Dutch sporting world for the duration of the 2010 Winter Games. Having converted Minoru Arenas in Richmond, Holland Heineken House will have a strong presence within the Richmond O Zone by inviting what will likely be a sea of orange to celebrate what it is to be Dutch. There will be medal ceremonies to celebrate the success of Dutch athletes, restaurants serving Dutch food, music from Dutch DJs, and of course, lots and lots of Heineken. I definitely plan to check it out once it opens – although I may need to become a Dutch citizen as those who can flash the passport will get some serious VIP treatment.
Dutch Bike at Richmond O Zone
After having a fantastic time, I was amused to see one of the many bikes (400 to be exacty) that have been brought by Holland Heineken House. Free to use by anyone who wishes to go for a ride, I’ve actually seen them in action already as the many people who have been working behind the scenes at HHH have used them to get around town.
If you want to see more a few more pictures I took while at the event, feel free to check out my flickr stream. And for more info on the Richmond O Zone, follow them on twitter (@RichmondOZone).
Olympic Torch in Richmond
Feb 9th
© VANOC/COVAN
If you haven’t heard, the Olympic Torch is making it’s way through Richmond later today.
Arriving around 5:00p after going through the Massey Tunnel (no word if the counterflow lane will be used), the torch will pass through Richmond winding through the city from Ironwood all the way to Richmond City Centre. With the torch passed to different relay runners every 300 metres, there will be scheduled celebration stops at South Arm, Steveston, West Richmond and Thompson Community Centres before it finds it’s way to the hands of Rick Hansen in the Richmond O Zone (if you’re interested in the exact route, head here).
Once there, the party will begin to get amped up with the lighting of the community cauldron and fireworks. But if you are like me, and arrive earlier than the torch itself, you’ll be able to enjoy entertainment from the Richmond Orchestra and Chorus Association, Delhi 2 Dublin, Shanna Lynn, Danielle Hebert and Freshh (these kids can sure dance!). There will also be roving entertainers to keep everyone happy until the big event.
Normally I’d shy away from events like these, but it’s not every day that the Olympic Torch passes through your city. So if you have time on your hands, and happen to be passing through Richmond, why not join me by stopping by and getting your party on?
Richmond Revealed
Feb 8th
If you have been watching CTV over the past week or so, you may have seen an ad talking about Richmond Revealed and it having something to do with introducing the City of Richmond to the world. Living in Richmond, and not hearing of this before, I did a little digging over at the City of Richmond website:
Richmond Revealed will offer an unparalleled series of visual spectacles to introduce Richmond, BC, Canada to the world during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Richmond Revealed will offer an unparalleled series of visual spectacles to introduce Richmond, BC, Canada to the world during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
From what I can determine, the spectacles and events will range from agriculture, technology, transportation, the arts and sustainability – stretching from a giant display of cranberries on the Fraser River outside of the Richmond Olympic Oval to a Dragon Dance at the Richmond O Zone. Each aspect will reinforce who the particular genre helped shape the City of Richmond and how it continues to shape it today.
100 Years of Powered Flight – Aviation Spectacle
Little do people know, but the first powered aircraft flight in Western Canada took place in Richmond at the what was then the Minoru Racetrack (now Minoru Oval – home of the O Zone). And today, flight still has a strong presence in the city with the location of the Vancouver International Aiport and the BCIT Aerospace Technology campus on Sea Island, so it’s ideal that such a spectacle be included.
Martin Mars Water Bomber – courtesy of TailspinT
Although different events will be held throughout the city, the largest (and I mean largest) component has to be the arrival of a Martin Mars Water Bomber. The Martin Mars (of which only two remain in use – both based out of Sproat Lake outside Port Alberni, BC) has a wingspan of over 200 feet and was originally designed to act as a flying boat and bomber during the Second World War. Having been converted to fight fires, the Martin Mars can carry over 27000L of water. It will be based off of Garry Point Park in Steveston on February 23 & 24 for those that wish to check it out.
Celebrating life in Steveston Village
Steveston Pier on Canada Day
In what started as a small fishing village, Steveston is now a vibrant community onto itself yet still maintains the largest commercial fishing fleet in Canada. It boasts fantastic restaurants, galleries, and services while maintaining it’s connection to the water. If seafood is your thing, you can either go to a restaurant to eat or pick something up at the pier to cook at home (unfortunately, seafood is not MY thing). Or if you would rather watch life in the water, there are both whale and eco-tours run on a regular basis from the village as well. Steveston also boats two different National Historic sites in the Gulf of Georgia Cannery and Britannia Heritage Shipyard for those that want to learn about it’s past. With strong ties to the Japanese community, Steveston has “adopted” the Japanese Speed Skating Team.
Asia’s legendary supernatural creature visits Richmond for Chinese New Year: The long and short of it
Temple – courtesy of Magalie L’Abbé
If you have been to Richmond, you understand the strong connection the city has to Asian cultures. Whether you have shopped at one of it’s many Asian malls, eaten any number of restaurants, or visited the Asian temples located on Steveston Highway or No. 5 Rd (which happens to be locally called the “highway to heaven”), you appreciate this understanding even more.
Over 40% of the population in Richmond is of Chinese descent, which happens to be the largest proportion of all Canadian cities. It is this diverse cultural base which contributes towards Richmond’s status as a cosmopolitan city. Furthermore, there is a legend that the City of Richmond is considered to be a pearl at the mouth of the Fraser River that attracts the dragon, which in turn brings luck to those who live here.
So it’s of no surprise that on February 14, to introduce the Chinese New Year, a spectacular double dragon dance accompanied by a large tai-chi performance will take place. The dragon will be one of the largest and longest to be seen in North America, something which should bring luck to all those that see it.
Transportation Spectacle
Container Inukshuk – courtesy of Stephen Rees
Located on the corner of Alderbridge Way & Gilbert Road is a giant Inukshuk built from various shipping containers. Standing at nearly 6 stories high, the arms of the giant Inukshuk point towards both the Richmond Olympic Oval and Richmond City Centre. Celebrating both the Olympics and the importance of one aspect of the transportation industry to Richmond, it stands as a welcome figure to one of the many doors to the city.
Whether it is Vancouver International Airport, the Port of Vancouver’s multi-modal shipping facility, or the fact that the city is only a short distance to the US border, transportation has always been a large part Richmond’s history. Beyond this, many different companies and organizations related to transportation such as UPS, BC Ferries Maintenance, Fraser Wharves, and several aeronautical firms call Richmond home. Another highlight is a room-sized model of the Canadarm which will be available to be seen at the Richmond O Zone.
Agricultural Spectacle
Cranberry Olympic Logo – City of Richmond
How many cranberries does it take to create a massive floating tribute to the Canada Olympic Logo? Give or take 13 million.
If you didn’t already know, Richmond happens to be the largest producer of cranberries in Canada, so it’s fitting that this spectacle represent how agriculture shaped and continues to shape Richmond as a community. Beyond this tribute, which will be floating in front of the Richmond Olympic Oval, the water fixtures at Richmond City Hall will also contain cranberries – fitting considering their colour!
So I urge you all to swing by my neck of the woods and check out Richmond Revealed. If you think you need a hint as to where to start first, drop me a line. Richmond has so much to offer and I hope you come out to learn more about this great community that I love living in.
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