[SpongeG]

well seems they finally announced something for a while it looked like the city was going to do nothing even though a couple other cities had parties planned - richmond had announced plans a while back...

cool to see the Illumintae Yaletown back :banana: thats the festival many of you missed the first time around in 2009... hopefully its bigger and better the first one was very cool though

City to recapture Olympic magic at anniversary party

BY KRISTEN THOMPSON
METRO


Oh how time flies.

It’s been almost a year since Vancouver was transformed into a two-week long Olympic street party, and to recapture some of that energy the city is staging a massive anniversary celebration.

“The 2010 Winter Games filled our city with energy and excitement and changed the way the world looks at Vancouver,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said.

- Granville Street will be closed between Smithe and Dunsmuir streets for buskers, street hockey and the Lunar Festival parade from noon and 9 p.m.

- Robson Street will be closed between Howe and Seymour streets and there will be free skating, music and entertainment all day at Robson Square.

- The second annual illuminate Yaletown festival – a free, two-night street party – will feature light installations from local artists.

- LunarFest will take place at the Vancouver Art Gallery from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Displays include illuminated lanterns and art.

- Creekside gymnasium will host a free family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It includes Olympic- and Paralympic-themed activities, winter sports on Wii, pin trading, 2010 memorabilia and a big-screen TV showing Games highlights.

- Sure to be a show-stopper will be the lighting of the Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza at 4 p.m.


...

http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/local/article/751571--city-to-recapture-olympic-magic-at-anniversary-party

[xd_1771]

Saw this on the news just lately. Seems exciting :tup:

[Metro-One]

Excellent. Waiting for the homeless need money protestors in 3...2...1....

[dleung]

This is so sad... "recapture olympic magic" who drinks this koolaid? The hangover is always bigger than the party itself. All I can think of is how unmagical the other 364 days of the year is. Why can't every other day be decently animated in Vancouver as opposed to throwing a big party every once in a while?

[mr.x]

Why can't Yaletown be always "Illuminated" at night? Imagine the attraction it would be.

[SpongeG]

it would be a bit much with live bands and street performers and building projections and light installations all the time haha
ooh i can;t wait to go

[Conrad Yablonski]

This is so sad... "recapture olympic magic" who drinks this koolaid?
Not me!

Maybe I'll head to the Tet Celebrations instead (http://www.vancouveryouth.ca/node/356) or the Steveston Market (http://www.sfam.ca/)

[invisibleairwaves]

This is so sad... "recapture olympic magic" who drinks this koolaid? The hangover is always bigger than the party itself. All I can think of is how unmagical the other 364 days of the year is. Why can't every other day be decently animated in Vancouver as opposed to throwing a big party every once in a while?

Because the city is populated by a whiny, entitled upper class that throws a snit every time someone tries to do something that intrudes on their utterly bizzare concept of Vancouver as a quiet little village, especially if it involves the unwashed masses from the suburbs? These few-and-far-between big parties provide excuses for the city to overcome this stagnant mentality once in a while, and that's the best we can really hope for in No-Fun City.

[SpongeG]

who is going to go check out the cauldron lighting?

anyone checked out the lunar fest? passed it once it ends on sunday...

[SpikePhanta]

I'm going to most dt events tmmr, gonna have some very nostalgic flashbacks!

[whatnext]

Event sounds like it was a big Fail:

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/182714--marking-one-year-anniversary-of-2010-games

[GeeCee]

I think that the massive downpour of rain played a pretty significant factor in today's low turnout.

Nice try, though.

[jlousa]

Don't know I was down during the downpour and there were quite a bit of people on Granville. I went back at 5pm after the downpour to see the torch and it was pretty crowded, there was a long line at the lunarfest display,Granville was pretty packed and yaletown was getting quite crowded as well with the light display even though half of them weren't up and running yet.
Definitely wouldn't call it a bust though.

[Yume-sama]

Yeah there was nobody there!~

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5439967031_c46b3713b4_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncle_buddha/5439967031/

I don't understand the obsessive need for people in the city to purposely try and hate on any public event. Usually the same ones who complain that nothing happens.

[dreambrother808]

I was really surprised by how many people were out and about considering the weather. :)

Some people have a boring and repetitive tendency to see the negative in everything.

[Yume-sama]

Revising reality to fit your political beliefs / agenda is even worse lol

[DKaz]

The weather cleared up by the evening. It was nice.

[SpongeG]

i went to yaletown around 9 pm - it was quite dead and nothing like the event they held in 2009 - it was really boring this time around, maybe i was too late?? but it was just boring, no live bands, some annoying music playing here or there, all the ice sculptures were melted, nothing too exciting in the way of lighting, i would expect more for the second go round but it felt like a step backward

anyway than i walked down granville and most of it was open to traffic by 1o pm except for three blocks around georgia, the crowd was loud and drunk mostly not so patriotic like it felt during the games

it was okay but by that time it seemed like a lot of teenagers gawking and being douchebags

i have some pics coming not so great hard without a tripod

[Yume-sama]

it was okay but by that time it seemed like a lot of teenagers gawking and being douchebags

I don't believe it! :uhh:

[SpongeG]

some pics - all by me

http://img535.imageshack.us/img535/7489/dsc01734ds.jpg

this was the only real cool thing i thought
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/9462/dsc01738gn.jpg

http://img121.imageshack.us/img121/748/dsc01739sg.jpg

the things fell down the wall but avoided where the windows were - nice programming
http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/5541/dsc01745ki.jpg

this was kinda neat but was some really slow quiet music when i saw it so it didn't do very much
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8812/dsc01746z.jpg

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/5585/dsc01748lx.jpg

this was an interesting one
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/7329/dsc01765e.jpg

hmm
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1478/dsc01769am.jpg

[raggedy13]

I was on my way back home around 10-10:30pm from Kits and downtown was really busy. I only went down Seymour and then Georgia but that stretch was totally crowded with all sorts of people - Olympic celebrators, Canucks fans, the usual Saturday night crowd (long lineup outside Library Square), and a lot of well-dressed people (I think a show had just got out at the Queen E, and possibly the Orpheum too). Ton of car traffic down Seymour. Had to step off my bus early since it was going nowhere fast.

[whatnext]

I was really surprised by how many people were out and about considering the weather. :)

Some people have a boring and repetitive tendency to see the negative in everything.

Uh, that's called downtown on a Saturday night, with a Canucks game, the Opera and the VSO on. Would be nice to know how much the city spent to attract the "crowds" SpongeG captured in Yaletown (good pics though).

[Pinion]

Yeah there was nobody there!~

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5439967031_c46b3713b4_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncle_buddha/5439967031/

I don't understand the obsessive need for people in the city to purposely try and hate on any public event. Usually the same ones who complain that nothing happens.

Heh, that's a lot more people than when I strolled down during the start of the paralympics (my crappy phone photo):

http://i.imgur.com/Uk9EO.jpg

I hate crowds so that was the only time I was going to see the flame up close.

[dreambrother808]

Uh, that's called downtown on a Saturday night, with a Canucks game, the Opera and the VSO on. Would be nice to know how much the city spent to attract the "crowds" SpongeG captured in Yaletown (good pics though).

I live downtown, so I know very well what things are usually like, thank you very much.

In addition, I was speaking about during the day. Yes, it was quite busy, much more so than normal.

I'm sorry that my firsthand view of reality doesn't fit your need to bash Gregor and the city.

[nova9]

Uh, that's called downtown on a Saturday night, with a Canucks game, the Opera and the VSO on. Would be nice to know how much the city spent to attract the "crowds" SpongeG captured in Yaletown (good pics though).

Did you even leave your little cave to check things out before spewing your nonsense? Even during the heaviest rain yesterday, Robson and Granville were packed. Considerably more so than on a normal rainy day.

There were at least a thousand people watching the Cauldron re-lighting.

[CPE]

How long is the cauldron going to stay lit for?

[jlousa]

It was lit for only a ~5hrs on the 12th. Not sure if the next lighting has been announced yet.

[ckkelley]

Revising reality to fit your political beliefs / agenda is even worse lol

Haha, no kidding. It's sooooo hilariously lame.

[nobase2010]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/5444135623_ac31bc73fe_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5444135623/sizes/z/in/photostream/

[nobase2010]

TdDisM5mh5w

[nobase2010]

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5444857918_c709d0581f_z.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34206763@N07/5444857918/sizes/z/in/photostream/

[nobase2010]

Robson Square

yYd7jXDLq-c

[ckkelley]

Thanks nobase2010. I enjoyed the videos!

Our waterfront cauldron kicks ass.

[whatnext]

Did you even leave your little cave to check things out before spewing your nonsense? Even during the heaviest rain yesterday, Robson and Granville were packed. Considerably more so than on a normal rainy day.

There were at least a thousand people watching the Cauldron re-lighting.

I guess there's a lot more people who are like that sad high school football jock who has to relive their teenage moment of glory than I thought. Though I'd hardly call those images of the cauldron as "packed" with people. There were probably more shoppers in the local Costco.

[Zassk]

The local paper says the Oval had 12,000 visitors for the weekend Olympics festivities. No idea how that compares to expectations.

[nova9]

I guess there's a lot more people who are like that sad high school football jock who has to relive their teenage moment of glory than I thought. Though I'd hardly call those images of the cauldron as "packed" with people. There were probably more shoppers in the local Costco.

A lot of the images were taken once the cauldron lighting was over and people were allowed close to take a picture. But you weren't there so you really can't say anything. So just be quiet about whether it was packed or not and move on.

Just like what we said about anti-olympics people, go away and don't participate in them if you hate them. same can be said about your disgust at people celebrating an anniversary - our celebrating doesn't harm you so why do you want to poo on it all so publicly.

good god.

[ckkelley]

I guess there's a lot more people who are like that sad high school football jock who has to relive their teenage moment of glory than I thought. Though I'd hardly call those images of the cauldron as "packed" with people. There were probably more shoppers in the local Costco.

At what point during the 2010 Olympics did you realize that your dreams of a disaster were not going to materialize? Was it after the first gold medal or the fourteenth or somewhere in between? Was it during that ten day stretch of glorious weather? Was it the legions of celebrants that jammed downtown every day? Was it the record tv ratings being reported day after day?

How terrible that must have been for you.

[BCPhil]

I guess there's a lot more people who are like that sad high school football jock who has to relive their teenage moment of glory than I thought. Though I'd hardly call those images of the cauldron as "packed" with people. There were probably more shoppers in the local Costco.

To be fair, there would probably be more people out shopping during game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals if it was Canucks vs the Leafs or Canadiens. It's getting to the point where more people visit the mall on election day than visit a voting booth. So if you feel that people should be out indulging in consumerism than coming together to celebrate an anniversary of a job well done, well, to each their own, I guess.

But by your own reasoning we should stop celebrating any anniversary? No more Canada Day? Spend November 11th at the mall? Stop celebrating New Years? I don't really get what you're trying to say? Are you just grumpy that people want to have fun about something you were against? Or is there an actual point to what you said?

[WarrenC12]

I sure hear a lot more about the great memories of Vancouver in Feb of 2010 than I do about all of those people who left the city because it would be a "terrible disaster" to live here during the games... where are they now? :haha:

[whatnext]

To be fair, there would probably be more people out shopping during game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals if it was Canucks vs the Leafs or Canadiens. It's getting to the point where more people visit the mall on election day than visit a voting booth. So if you feel that people should be out indulging in consumerism than coming together to celebrate an anniversary of a job well done, well, to each their own, I guess.

But by your own reasoning we should stop celebrating any anniversary? No more Canada Day? Spend November 11th at the mall? Stop celebrating New Years? I don't really get what you're trying to say? Are you just grumpy that people want to have fun about something you were against? Or is there an actual point to what you said?

Gimme a break. Unlike Canada Day or Remembrance Day this was a totally manufactured anniversary. Even sadder was the people breathlessly saying "join us next year for a 2nd anniversary!". Expo 86 arguably had a bigger impact on the city, and you didn't have people pathetically trying to cling to some memory. Furlong & Co did a good job delivering the goods, but its time to move on. At least Richmond had the good sense to hold their celebration in the Oval. If there was ever a time to realize why we needed the Plaza of Nations in Vancouver, this damp squib was it.

The clips were almost worth it to see Furlong at the far opposite end of the podium from Gregor - maybe there were some hard feelings over his slam of the mayor in his book. Too bad some his friends from his Arbutus Club days can't convince him to run against Robertson, I have no doubt he'd win in a heartbeat.

And nova9, given that I'm paying out of my taxes for this sad little celebration, certainly more than those who crawled out of their parents' basements, I have every right to comment on it.

[ckkelley]

I just can't fathom how anyone could think that celebrating the anniversaries of what happened here last February is a waste of time and/or money. As time goes on it will become evident how huge it was for Canada and Vancouver. It was an awesome time, historic and not to mention the infrastructure improvements that were expedited with federal dollars that most likely we would have had to do without otherwise.

I feel sad for people that can't see the light.

[GeeCee]

Please stop feeding the troll, folks.

Here's one of the better videos from the VANOC Workforce DVD that I received last year that I found on YouTube:

tSKgWqrlzw4

[nova9]

And nova9, given that I'm paying out of my taxes for this sad little celebration, certainly more than those who crawled out of their parents' basements, I have every right to comment on it.

So how much did you personally pay?

So then those of us that make more money than you, then we should have an even greater right to comment then, right?

[whatnext]

So how much did you personally pay?

So then those of us that make more money than you, then we should have an even greater right to comment then, right?

That would depend on how much property tax you paid the city. And if you're in Jenny Kwan's riding....

[nova9]

That would depend on how much property tax you paid the city. And if you're in Jenny Kwan's riding....

Wow. I'm so hurt by your implications of my life in the Eastside. Thanks for putting me in my place you d--che.

[whatnext]

Wow. I'm so hurt by your implications of my life in the Eastside. Thanks for putting me in my place you d--che.

I'm sorry if that came across as overly douchey. There are a lot of great neighbourhoods on the Eastside, many with a better sense of community than their Westside counterparts. Rather, the response arose out of your original thesis that only those who were in favour of the anniversary celebrations should be allowed to comment on them. That is like me saying only those who like the Jameson should be allowed to comment on that thread.

[nobase2010]

3iXlJLXgV-s

[SpongeG]

apparently there is some grassroots party being organized for the weekend to celebrate the anniversary of the gold medal game...

i think its on facebook i haven't looked but they are hoping for 1000's to show up according to a news report on global

[Conrad]

Yeah there was nobody there!~

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5296/5439967031_c46b3713b4_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uncle_buddha/5439967031/

I don't understand the obsessive need for people in the city to purposely try and hate on any public event. Usually the same ones who complain that nothing happens.

Wow. Now there's a non-event if I ever saw one. A bunch of lemmings with nothing better to do. Is this what's supposed to counteract Vancouver's no-fun reputation? If anything it reinforces it.

[GeeCee]

Funny, it seems like you're the one that isn't having any fun.

:jester:

[Yume-sama]

Funny, it seems like you're the one that isn't having any fun.

:jester:

Life is what you make of it, and certain negative Nancy's seem to go out of there way to be miserable. :frog:

[zivan56]

Wow. Now there's a non-event if I ever saw one. A bunch of lemmings with nothing better to do. Is this what's supposed to counteract Vancouver's no-fun reputation? If anything it reinforces it.

I would have to agree with you.
What exactly is fun in this picture? Was there a band playing somewhere or some other form of entertainment?
Everyone seems gloomy and depressed...I certainly wouldn't look at that picture and think people are having a good time.

[SpongeG]

its about being with people not what you do

how many boring dinners or christmas parties do you suffer through? its about the memories and the people you are with not what you do

I went down there a lot of times during the games, it wasn't that exciting but it was fun with friends and watching people and seeing the goings on - didn't need music or anything to entertain us we enjoyed the crowds and talking crap while we waited in line or whatever

[nobase2010]

:banana: Celebration of the 1st anniversary of team Canada for winning the 2010 Olympic gold. This was all organized through Facebook.

mYsgDKXa4hE

[mr.x]

^ loll, that actually looks a little sad...i don't know why though.....

[Nutterbug]

^ loll, that actually looks a little sad...i don't know why though.....

Now, you're getting the gist of what I've been getting at all along.

Over the top celebrations of something that happened so long ago as though it happened today is a little embarrassing. A gathering watching the highlights on a big screen in a public square should have been the extent of it.

[mr.x]

^ loll, well if there were a big concert stage with a DJ i suppose it would make more sense...but here you just have people randomly jumping and cheering for...?

Oh well, if that's what they like to do lol go ahead with it...I suppose it's more of a testament to how deprived the youth of the city are from proper fun and entertainment that suits heir age - not watered down "family-friendly" events.

[idunno]

Well there was actually music everywhere, a bunch of banana costumed people with boomboxes synced. Awesome!

[SpongeG]

it was not "organized" its a flashmob kinda organizing - you often see em show up at places and start dancing to their ipods

its an odd sight to see but they do it a lot on the skytrain, at the vag, the beach wherever

[whatnext]

The news anchor on 1130 today said she went down to check it out, but was scared off by the amount off liquored-up young people.

[SpongeG]

yah they have nowhere else to go and do it - its a regular weekend thing down there drunk teens drooling to get into a club, drinking in alley, giggling like idiots

[WarrenC12]

So what ended up happening on Saturday night? I didn't see anything on Granville at 9pm so it must have started later on.

Was it a big mess? Do the naive organizers have egg on their face?

Or was it no big deal? Another media-hyped disaster that never happened?

Somewhere in the middle?