Latest news with #VancouverChinatownFestival
Hamilton Spectator
12-07-2025
- Hamilton Spectator
Event organizers of Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority
VANCOUVER - Organizers of the Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority in the wake of the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy that killed 11 and injured dozens more in April. Joey Kwan, executive director of the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, says enhanced safety measures have been in place as the 23rd festival is underway, drawing hundreds of people to enjoy the musical performances, marching band and children's theatre. She says festival goers can expect to see heavy police presence throughout Vancouver's Chinatown and officers will station six security checkpoints. Blue fences have also been set up at the scene to block vehicles from entering. Kwan says something unexpected may always arise, but event organizers and volunteers are ready to 'deal with the unexpected.' The tragedies of the Lapu Lapu festival are still haunting people, and Vancouver resident Darcy Shoults says seeing tons of police presence at the event scene makes him feel 'quite safe.' Shoults says two years ago he attended the Light Up Chinatown Festival, where a triple stabbing look place and left him devastated. Blair Donnelly was on a day pass from a psychiatric hospital when he stabbed three people in Vancouver's Chinatown in September 2023. Shoults says these attacks do happen, but we can't let them keep getting in the way of stopping us from coming together to show support and celebrate. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
Toronto Star
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Event organizers of Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority
VANCOUVER - Organizers of the Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority in the wake of the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy that killed 11 and injured dozens more in April. Joey Kwan, executive director of the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, says enhanced safety measures have been in place as the 23rd festival is underway, drawing hundreds of people to enjoy the musical performances, marching band and children's theatre.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-07-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Event organizers of Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority
VANCOUVER – Organizers of the Vancouver Chinatown Festival say security is their top priority in the wake of the Lapu Lapu festival tragedy that killed 11 and injured dozens more in April. Joey Kwan, executive director of the Vancouver Chinatown BIA, says enhanced safety measures have been in place as the 23rd festival is underway, drawing hundreds of people to enjoy the musical performances, marching band and children's theatre. She says festival goers can expect to see heavy police presence throughout Vancouver's Chinatown and officers will station six security checkpoints. Blue fences have also been set up at the scene to block vehicles from entering. Kwan says something unexpected may always arise, but event organizers and volunteers are ready to 'deal with the unexpected.' The tragedies of the Lapu Lapu festival are still haunting people, and Vancouver resident Darcy Shoults says seeing tons of police presence at the event scene makes him feel 'quite safe.' Shoults says two years ago he attended the Light Up Chinatown Festival, where a triple stabbing look place and left him devastated. Blair Donnelly was on a day pass from a psychiatric hospital when he stabbed three people in Vancouver's Chinatown in September 2023. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. Shoults says these attacks do happen, but we can't let them keep getting in the way of stopping us from coming together to show support and celebrate. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
The Province
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Province
The Vancouver Chinatown Festival takes place in July: Here's what you should know
All the dates and details of the upcoming Chinatown event The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a free, family friendly event. VCBIA Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. The 23rd-annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival will take place this July. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors This family friendly festival, put on by the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society (VCBIA), is free to attend and features events and flavours for all-ages from the varied shops and restaurants in the historic area. 'The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a celebration of culture, community and connection, and we are thrilled to have BMO's support for our 23rd year,' said Joey Kwan, executive director of VCBIA, in a news release. 'We're proud to see the festival continue to grow with new and returning experiences for all ages. It's a reflection of the energy and resilience that define Chinatown, and we can't wait to share this year's festivities with everyone.' Here's what you should know about the upcoming event. Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Vancouver Chinatown Festival takes place on Saturday, July 12, and Sunday, July 13, along Keefer and Columbia streets. The festival is schedule to run from noon to 6 p.m. each day. What is happening at the festival? This year's festival includes a variety of entertainment highlighting cultural and culinary traditions. Entertainment includes Cindy Yang Dance Academy of Canada, Boogaloo Dance Academy and Colours of Dance Academy, music from marimba ensemble Muevete, the B.C. Chinese Music Association and the rock/pop sextet Rain City 6. There will also be cultural showcases of Japanese Yosakoi dance by Appare, Brazilian rhythms by Samba Fusion, and more. What other activities will take place? The Children's Theatre area is expanded to feature family-oriented activities and shows with performers such as magician Blake Aleong. New additions range from roving giant bubble stilt walkers, the Story on Wheels and Science World On the Road. Face painting, balloon twisting, t-shirt painting, MiniMakers crafts, and games for kids of all ages take place throughout the day. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Vancouver Chinatown Festival includes a variety of crafts. VCBIA The Cultural Zone features Vancouver Chinatown walking tours hosted by Bob Sung of A Wok Around, Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstrations, mini massages, paper lantern and fan-making, as well as a giant Mahjong board. The VCBIA is promoting an interactive 'Where's Van Van the Panda?' contest. Track the festival's mascot around the area using the Vancouver Chinatown Festival app or following @visitchinatown on Instagram for a chance to win tickets to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Chinese Canadian Museum, and Chinatown Storytelling Centre. Will there be food onsite? The Artisans Market will offer products from local makers and food vendors. Festival goers can also take advantage of the wide-selection of nearby neighbourhood favourites ranging from New Town Bakery to Fat Mao noodles and more. Do you need tickets? The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a free, family friendly event. VCBIA The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is free to attend. For updated participants and event information, visit sderdeyn@ Read More Vancouver Whitecaps Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks Sports Crime
Calgary Herald
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Calgary Herald
The Vancouver Chinatown Festival takes place in July: Here's what you should know
Article content The 23rd-annual Vancouver Chinatown Festival will take place this July. Article content This family friendly festival, put on by the Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society (VCBIA), is free to attend and features events and flavours for all-ages from the varied shops and restaurants in the historic area. Article content Article content 'The Vancouver Chinatown Festival is a celebration of culture, community and connection, and we are thrilled to have BMO's support for our 23rd year,' said Joey Kwan, executive director of VCBIA, in a news release. 'We're proud to see the festival continue to grow with new and returning experiences for all ages. It's a reflection of the energy and resilience that define Chinatown, and we can't wait to share this year's festivities with everyone.' Article content Article content Article content Entertainment includes Cindy Yang Dance Academy of Canada, Boogaloo Dance Academy and Colours of Dance Academy, music from marimba ensemble Muevete, the B.C. Chinese Music Association and the rock/pop sextet Rain City 6. There will also be cultural showcases of Japanese Yosakoi dance by Appare, Brazilian rhythms by Samba Fusion, and more. Article content What other activities will take place? Article content The Children's Theatre area is expanded to feature family-oriented activities and shows with performers such as magician Blake Aleong. New additions range from roving giant bubble stilt walkers, the Story on Wheels and Science World On the Road. Face painting, balloon twisting, t-shirt painting, MiniMakers crafts, and games for kids of all ages take place throughout the day. Article content Article content Article content The Cultural Zone features Vancouver Chinatown walking tours hosted by Bob Sung of A Wok Around, Chinese painting and calligraphy demonstrations, mini massages, paper lantern and fan-making, as well as a giant Mahjong board. Article content Article content The VCBIA is promoting an interactive 'Where's Van Van the Panda?' contest. Track the festival's mascot around the area using the Vancouver Chinatown Festival app or following @visitchinatown on Instagram for a chance to win tickets to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, Chinese Canadian Museum, and Chinatown Storytelling Centre. Article content Do you need tickets? Article content Article content
