[LotusLand]

I don't know how many forumers have gone to the parade of lost souls in years past. I had the luxury of going last year and this year me and my buddies were totally psyched, then I read this!

http://vancitybuzz.blogspot.com/2009/10/2009-parade-lost-souls-commercial-drive.html

Canceled, apparently due to funding cuts from the Libs. Argh, why can't they just get a sponsor a $100,000 should not break the budget. Is this a case of poor planning or government cuts to the arts? Either way i hate this.

Did anyone else attend last year? If so how was the experience. I loved it!

[LeftCoaster]

What are you talking about with the Libs?? the organizer explicitly states why it will not be occurring this year:

Last year was the 5th edition of what is probably Vancouver's best parade. Sadly, this year I've been told by Public Dreams Society that it will be taking a year off. Fear not the parade will definitely be back next year, its just that the Public Dreams Society had this year marked for planning the parade to see what it can do better.

[SpongeG]

their lantern thing at trout lake was a washout this year - it rained and the event was really cut short and they lost money on it i think

I volunteered for it and was selling lanterns and t-shirts bt the rain was just torrential and so many of the lamps etc were ruined and people left and it was just not a great success for them unfortunately

[LotusLand]

What are you talking about with the Libs?? the organizer explicitly states why it will not be occurring this year:

I'm just quoting the author. I also heard that they used to get funding grants from the government but they didn't get one this year so they called it a planning year. I hope it is back next year! Hey I voted for the Libs and still would so don't take it as a swipe towards them.

[mezzanine]

^^ Public Dreams has been having funding problems independently of the lib's funding cuts (that being said, the cuts don't help.) They eschew corporate sponsorship, are hesitant to charge admission fees and their programming, by its inherent nature (outdoor festivals) tend to be big.

http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=be197ecb-73ec-46af-98be-b1aa7bfcf26b

The parade of lost souls was also canceled in 2006.

http://archive.vancourier.com/issues06/102206/news/102206nn7.html

[LotusLand]

^^ Public Dreams has been having funding problems independently of the lib's funding cuts (that being said, the cuts don't help.) They eschew corporate sponsorship, are hesitant to charge admission fees and their programming, by its inherent nature (outdoor festivals) tend to be big.

http://www2.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=be197ecb-73ec-46af-98be-b1aa7bfcf26b

The parade of lost souls was also canceled in 2006.

http://archive.vancourier.com/issues06/102206/news/102206nn7.html

Thanks for the clarification, I guess they call it a planning year but it really is a funding shortfall year :( regardless it's sad this parade is cancelled.

[SpongeG]

they usually do it on saturday too and this year Halloween falls on a saturday maybe thats also part of teh decision

[LotusLand]

they usually do it on saturday too and this year Halloween falls on a saturday maybe thats also part of teh decision

They usually do it on the saturday before Halloween so that shouldn't be the problem. THere is more to it than we know.

[SpongeG]

i think they are reeling still form their money loser in the summer - the thing barely got started when it started to rain and most of it had to get cancelled - even before it started peopel were showing up and finding out there were no fireworks and decided not to stay at all - before the rain hit

[entheosfog]

That's too bad it's a no-go this year, last year was my first time and it was a lot of fun. Oh well, looking forward to next year!

[LotusLand]

That's too bad it's a no-go this year, last year was my first time and it was a lot of fun. Oh well, looking forward to next year!

I think Vancouver needs a Halloween Parade every year! and it should be down Commercial drive where the roots of it all started. I think the city can definitely be more festive and this could go a long way to shed the no fun reputation, which we are slowly started to chip away at.

I just don't want it to be watered down sponsorfests either though :S

[nova9]

I would agree, it would give people a place to go aside from skankfest at granville.

as well, perhaps if it was geared towards clawing back families away from trick or treating in metrotown. that's just not halloween.

[SpongeG]

loads of cities shut down their "gay" street and have parades - gays love the halloween its part of the gay culture

went to castro a couple years ago for halloween it was insane and apparently the last one due to a shooting that happenned at it

but they shut down big portion of market street and castro and set up stages and dance areas and people parade around in costumes all night - good times

I've heard West Hollywood, Phoenix, New York, Miami, Honolulu all have similiar events/parades for Halloween

[LotusLand]

loads of cities shut down their "gay" street and have parades - gays love the halloween its part of the gay culture

went to castro a couple years ago for halloween it was insane and apparently the last one due to a shooting that happenned at it

but they shut down big portion of market street and castro and set up stages and dance areas and people parade around in costumes all night - good times

I've heard West Hollywood, Phoenix, New York, Miami, Honolulu all have similiar events/parades for Halloween

I think it's time we get an annual parade that has some credible funding behind it. Vancouver and Halloween go hand in hand. I'm mean people out here love it, from the firecracker crazies to the sexy women who like to slut it up a notch higher than ur typical friday and saturday night.

Time to tell Gregor I think!

[entheosfog]

I think Vancouver needs a Halloween Parade every year! and it should be down Commercial drive where the roots of it all started. I think the city can definitely be more festive and this could go a long way to shed the no fun reputation, which we are slowly started to chip away at.

I just don't want it to be watered down sponsorfests either though :S

There's definitely a demand for this sort of thing in Grandview, especially judging by the crowds from last year's event.

[LotusLand]

http://www.straight.com/article-264777/arts-funding-cuts-lead-cancellation-parade-lost-souls

here is the link that indicates its a victim of funding cuts :(