February 24, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Aside from hosting the speed skating competition, Richmond has a variety of events and attractions throughout town to celebrate the Olympic Winter Games, including a demonstration of water bombing by the Martin Mars planes based at Sproat Lake on Vancouver Island.
On Feb. 22 and 23, the Hawaii Mars demonstrated its water scooping and dumping ability off the shore of Garry Point Park. Usually reserved for fighting forest fires, these planes are a real spectacle to see in person as part of a fun demonstration.
The massive flying tankers have four propeller engines that can carry the plane fully loaded with 7200 gallons of water. It's no wonder you can feel your rib cage rattle when they fly low and close. Be advised: if you get a chance to see a demonstration, be careful where you stand. The 7200 gallons tend to drift once they have been released from the plane.
Getting to Richmond is a simple 20-minute train ride on the Canada Line from downtown Vancouver to Richmond's city center. If you exit the train at the last stop (Brighouse), you can cross the street and catch the 410 bus to Garry Point Park. The park is on the waterfront near where the Fraser River meets the Pacific.
February 14, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Richmond, Festivals & Events
View a larger image on flickr.com
Catching the sleek new Canada Line Skytrain to Richmond’s OZone for more Olympic fun, I got through the gates just in time to see crowds massing around the Main Stage for the Chinese New Year celebrations: the Double Dragon Dance.
Everything about today seemed to be super or super-size; from the sunshine, the sheer size of the OZone complex – to the 100-metre long Chinese dragon, held up by hundreds of volunteers. Along with its partner dragon and a couple of lions, the fiery creature swirled, ducked and circled spectators, sending whoops of delight among us all, before bowing in respect to Richmond’s mayor and councilors on the stage.
A mass Tai Chi performance followed, creating a flowing red sea of bodies around the dragons – truly graceful.
Aside from bands and shows, the Ozone is packed with activities. I got a chance to try the outdoor skating rink (perfect on a sunny Sunday afternoon), learn about the Richmond Oval legacy which promotes sports for youth, and take a virtual bobsleigh ride in the 2010 Games Dome.
On the way out I took in the Ice Gate - a colourful, jagged ice sculpture by BC artist Gordon Halloran. It reminded me of Vancouver’s mountainous skyline at sunset – something I had a great view of on the way back to the Skytrain.