They say that after a certain age you don't want presents for your birthday, so it's understandable that all Stanley Park wants for its 125th birthday is one heck of a party.
It's been one-and-a-quarter centuries since Stanley Park was formally opened in the name of Lord Stanley of Preston, the then-Governor General of Canada. The City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Park Board are celebrating this impressive milestone with Celebrate! Stanley Park, a two-day festival featuring free family entertainment, performing and visual arts, interactive sports, heritage experiences and First Nations cultural presentations.
The festivities will take place on August 24 and 25 at three Stanley Park hotspots: Second Beach, Lumbermen's Arch, and Brockton Point.
On Second Beach, partygoers will feast on a community picnic and a jam-packed line-up of performances by local musical talent; Lumbermen's Arch will play host to family-oriented entertainment and Coast Salish artisans and performances; and Brockton Point will be the place to find sporting demos and drop-in games (under the name Brockton Sportsapalooza), as well as an evening theatre performance by Boca del Lupo.
Happy birthday, Stanley Park; you dont look a day over 120.
- Sabrina Furminger
Discover Stanley Park's rich history during a series of walking tours; see hummingbirds up close; visit the Mounted police horse stable; meet the gardeners; and admire vintage cars at the celebration the parks 125th anniversary.
More than 200 free activities and performances are scheduled to take place at five festival zones throughout the park during Celebrate! Stanley Park August 24 and 25.
Afternoon performances and activities can be found at StanleyPark125.ca, and an event app, featuring the full program schedule, festival map and trivia quiz, is available at SP125.ca.
At the Memory Lane at the Gardens festival zone:
A bird expert will band hummingbirds to track their migration routes. See the birds up close and discover what makes them so special.
With a historical interpreter, explore how Vancouver's active women found freedom in the park on Brockton Point's grass hockey field, on the archery range, boating in the harbour or trotting on horseback along Bridle Path.
Learn about giant Douglas Fir trees and red cedars.
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride around the park and learn about the natural and political storms that shaped our favourite park.
Hear the fascinating story of families and communities that have called Stanley Park home.
The Indigenous Plant Diva will lead you through the trails in Stanley Park, sharing stories about the historical and current use of traditional food and medicine plants by Coast Salish peoples.
Theatre Under The Stars looks back at the 67-year history of this iconic summer tradition in Stanley Park with its museum and backstage tours of Malkin Bowl.
Meet the gardeners who created the floral displays around Stanley Parks stunning Rose Garden. Ask questions, get tips from Park Board staff.
The Vancouver Police Department Mounted Unit, which patrols and responds to calls in the park, is offering stable tours on a first-come-first-served basis.
Mingle with more than 20 of Vancouvers top historians for questions and answers about the parks (and Vancouvers) remarkable past.
Activities at the Brockton Sportsapalooza festival zone include rugby, speedminton and cricket games and demos, Coast Salish canoe races, tours of HMCS Discovery and a licensed area.
The Live at Second Beach festival zone features an all-Canadian line up of musical performances, food trucks, outdoor sports, and a licensed area.
At the Family Fun at the Arch festival zone, childrens entertainers Bobs & LoLo, Coast Salish performances and artisans, and SPES organized wildlife safari walk and forest walk are just a few of the highlights.
Large crowds are expected, so public transit, biking and walking are highly recommended. TransLinks #19 bus stops within Stanley Park and there will bikevalet/parkingareasat Live at Second Beach, Family Fun at the Arch and Brockton Sportsapalooza.
It's all about Stanley Park this weekend. Want to know more?
Fun facts and history: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220731271.html
Lost art of Stanley Park: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220733111.html
Counting critters with BioBlitz: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220733751.html
Tourism Vancouver's Top 5: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220734001.html
Inventing Stanley Park: http://www.wevancouver.com/news/220734291.html
