What’s happening?
RiverFest returns to New Westminster’s waterfront in celebration of B.C. and World River’s Day. Now in its 16th year, RiverFest is Metro Vancouver’s biggest celebration of the environmental, economic and socio-cultural importance of the Fraser River.
Details, please:
Presented by the Port of Vancouver, RiverFest’s main festival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Westminster Quay from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We always look forward to RiverFest, which is our biggest event of the year that attracts close to 10,000 visitors down to the Westminster Quay,” said Stephen Bruyneel, executive director of Fraser River Discovery Centre. “The combination of first-class family entertainment, local artisans, and the latest edition to our Journey Through the Working River exhibit means there is something for the whole family to enjoy.”
What will I see?
Bobs and LoLo, a four-time Juno award-nominated act that combines art, education and love of nature to connect children with their communities and natural environment, is headlining this year’s entertainment lineup. Ginalina, a Western Canadian Music Awards winner and Juno-nominee known for her fast, fun, interactive, and joyful songs, is also performing at this year’s event.
“The FRDC has really strengthened its relationship with families through events and education programs that highlight the social, economic and environmental importance of the Fraser and its impact on our communities,” Bruyneel said. “Having both Bobs and LoLo and Ginalina at RiverFest underscores the issues the FRDC cares about most, in a way that is fun and engaging for guests of all ages.”
What else will I see at RiverFest?
The festival features a family fun zone inside Fraser River Discovery Centre, an exhibitor expo, Artisans on the River with New West Craft and the Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade. Visitors can also visit the Samson V Maritime Museum, pick up food at the River Market and check out Fraser River Discovery Centre’s latest edition to the Journey Through the Working River Exhibit – Within the Hidden River, which is supported by the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Community Salmon Program.
“We are really excited to launch this latest edition to the Journey Through the Working River exhibit,” Bruyneel said. “Within the Hidden River is an interactive computer game that will be located in our Canyon Theatre. Players will get a chance to search for the different kinds of salmon species that use the Fraser River and learn about some of the challenges they face.”
Is there anything else?
In the lead-up to the big event on Sept. 22, RiverFest presents a special RiverFest edition of Discovery Centre’s curriculum-based RiverSchool for three elementary school classes on Sept. 19. It also features Discovery Centre’s *click* photos of the fraser exhibit, which has a theme of “movement” this year. You’re welcome to attend the exhibit’s opening on Thursday, Sept. 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the festival.
More info, please:
Visit the Fraser River Discovery Centre’s website at www.fraserriverdiscovery.org/riverfest for more information about RiverFest. Fraser River Discovery Centre is at 788 Quayside Dr.
