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The Excitement is Building

February 24, 2006 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Festivals & Events

If you're a sports fan like me, you've probably spent the last couple weeks glued to the TV watching the 2006 Winter Olympics. As the games draw to a close eyes are shifting towards the home of the 2010 Winter Games - British Columbia. Here at Tourism BC we can feel it already. Interest in the province, and in Canada is starting to swell, it's only going to grow. The next four years are going to be exciting ones. The spotlight on BC officially begins at the 2006 Closing Ceremonies, when the Olympic flag gets passed on to the Mayor of the next host city - Vancouver. Sam Sullivan, the current Mayor of Vancouver will be there to accept the flag, as well a take part in a ceremony inviting the world to come to BC in 2010; it's shaping up to be a great show. The Closing Ceremonies will take place this Sunday, February 26 at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

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Posted by _, Vancouver at 12:00 AM

Five Olympic Observations from Torino

February 22, 2006 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Festivals & Events

Mika Ryan, Tourism British Columbia's Manager of Travel Media Relations, is currently in Torino promoting BC and Canada, home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.

1. Who knew that the BC House pavillion (a log cabin) would be such a huge hit. Thousands of people have been through, they line up down the block, they stare in the windows at night when it is closed, a few are moved to tears and many ask about immigrating. Do they think we all live in log cabins?
2. Leave your cash at home as the real currency here is olympic pins. There is a whole subculture of people who travel to games and trade pins. Several times I've been tempted to jump in, but I'm afraid the next step will be a Star Trek convention.
3. Italy is the fashion capitol of the world, it seems that anything with a maple leaf is considered the height of fashion. Everyone is buying Canadian Olympic wear, you even see it on the beautiful people in clubs. Did anyone think that Canada would ever be this cool?
4. If you want entertainment, go to a reception for the Canadian Hockey team and notice how many people are trying not to stare at Wayne Gretzky. At the olympics the atheletes are celebraties, with the hockey players at the top of the heap. It is interest considering that so many aspiring olympians live below the poverty line.
5. Everyone wants to get into the private evening functions, another big surprise is that the Whistler pub nights are the hottest ticket in town. So many people have tried to crash the parties that it is now invite only. I don't think any of the staff ever expected to work as bouncers.

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Posted by Mika, Vancouver at 12:00 AM

Free Olympic Celebration Events

February 14, 2006 | Tips from Us > Vancouver, Festivals & Events

I was on the bus yesterday and read a poster about Celebration Week in Vancouver. If you are a fan of the Olympics, you might want to check out these free events promoted as the “countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”

On Sunday February 26 there is a Street Party at Library Square from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, complete with a live broadcast of the closing ceremonies in Turin / Turino, live music, Italian food, cake, and sports demos you can try.

On Wednesday March 1 from 5:30 to 6:30 there is a sunset procession of fire twirlers, stilt walkers and drummers to the official lighting of the Inukshuk stone sculpture that stands over English Bay. This sculpture inspired Vancouver's 2010 Olympic emblem. The event starts at Sunset Beach.

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Posted by Susan, Vancouver at 12:00 AM