No rest for West Coast Cormorants
West Coast Cormorants are having an extremely busy summer, putting the newest CF aircraft to the test and then some. Victoria’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre launched 19 Wing Search and Rescue (SAR) crews several times in July to search for missing people and aircraft, as well as perform emergency MEDEVAVs. More...

The PNE's Ferris Wheel at the Vancouver Art Gallery

PNE Road Show at the Vancouver Art Gallery
The Pacific National Exhibition took its 2003 Fair at the PNE on the road, setting up a mini-carnival event in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery on Wednesday, July 30. The downtown crowd enjoyed cotton candy, classic carnival games and even a ride on the PNE's traditional Ferris Wheel. More...

The CELEBRATE BC team poses with board listing the festival's sponsors

New Celebrate BC festival to offer more than 88 hours of programming in two days
The CELEBRATE BC Foundation is adding new meaning to to the term "full lineup" for its inaugural festival to be staged on August 2 and 3 at the Plaza of Nations and BC Place Stadium. The event is a showcase for the best in B.C. in Food & Cuisine, Talent & Entertainment, Sports & Lifestyles, Industry & Technology and Culture & Diversity. More...

HSBC Celebration of Light at English Bay

350,000 show their Spirit as fireworks open
More than 350,000 people crowded onto the beaches of English Bay and Kitsilano on Wednesday evening to view the first night of the HSBC Celebration of Light. The Czech Republic team's glittery pyrotechnics, titled Woman on Fire, was divided into six acts, each focusing on a specific woman, either from literature or history. More...

 

Dennis Skulsky, chairman of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society - photo by Ming Pao Daily News

Spirit of Vancouver supports HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks festival
The Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society Board of Directors announced today the performance dates and participating countries in the 2003 HSBC Celebration of Light fireworks festival. This year's event kicks off on July 30 with displays from the Czech Republic, followed by Canada on August 2, China on August 6 and a grand finale on August 9. More...

UPDATE:  TransLink adds extra services for the Celebration of Light fireworks festival at Vancouver's English Bay — view media release.

On the Indy track at False Creek

Tracy earns second Canadian win at Vancouver's Indy
Paul Tracy raced to a dramatic finish at this year's Molson Indy Vancouver, making it back-to-back wins in Canada following his overpowering race at Toronto two weeks ago. More...

Gardening challenge: Whysall's newly designed planters at the Pan Pacific Hotel's entranceway

Spirit of Vancouver partner Pan Pacific gets an entrance makeover
The Vancouver Sun's gardening guru Steve Whysall recently criticized some of the city's top hotels for their "tired and uninspired 1950s planting schemes." Vancouver's Pan Pacific agreed that its current entrance was lacklustre and wanted to create something to match the elegance of the interior — and wanted Whysall to handle the redesign. More...

 

HMCS Victoria goes through Panama Canal

HMCS Victoria passes through Panama Canal
HMCS Submarine Victoria headed through the Panama Canal on the weekend en route to her new home at the port of Victoria, B.C. More...

 

Tuvaq at the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre Photo by Margaret Butschler

Baby beluga whale turns one! Aquarium celebrates Tuvaq's birthday
The Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre invited media and visitors to join in the celebration on Sunday, July 20 to mark Tuvaq's first birthday. The festivities also included a performance from the Aquarium's hit band, the Sea Notes, and birthday cake for everyone. More...

 

Disney's "Nemo"

Looking for Nemo? Visit him and his friends at the Vancouver Aquarium
The recent animated Disney Pixar movie "Finding Nemo" has sparked a huge interest in the orange-and-white percula clownfish. While the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre does not recommend clownfish as suitable pets for children, kids can check out the Aquarium's latest on-site promotion featuring Nemo and his friends instead. More...

Nicole Robert as Tanya, Camilla Scott as Donna, Martha Reilly as Rosie in the Toronto production of Mamma Mia! Photo credit: © 2002, Joan Marcus

Mamma Mia! Exclusive Vancouver engagement
The storytelling magic of ABBA's timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter, and friendship, and every night everyone's having the time of their lives. An exclusive Vancouver engagement for six weeks only, July 22 to August 31. More...

 

Board staffer Wendy Li at Spirit of Vancouver booth

The Spirit of Vancouver celebrates Canada Day
The Spirit of Vancouver celebrated Canada Day at Canada Place, greeting revelers with free tattoos, buttons, stickers and prizes. A pancake breakfast kicked off the event, which brought thousands of people to Canada Place to celebrate Canada’s 136th birthday under sunny Vancouver skies. More...

 

Canada Day at Canada Place — July 1, 2003
Bring the whole family to the fun at Canada Day at Canada Place for a Country Fair in the heart of Vancouver. There's lots to see and do — start the day with a pancake breakfast, then wander over to the petting zoo or the carnival games. Learn country line dancing, hip-hop, salsa and more, and swing to the sounds of entertainers like Sound Sensation, Dal Richards Orchestra and Ken McCoy. And don't miss the grand finale — a loud and proud celebration of Canada complete with a Canadian reaffirmation ceremony under the sails. Visit www.canadadayatcanadaplace.com or view flyer (PDF/300kb) for details.