The Fraser River is the star of the show at this weekend’s RiverFest.
RiverFest, a weeklong festival that celebrates B.C. and World River’s Day, kicks off with a shoreline cleanup in Queensborough on Sunday, Sept. 18 and concludes with a daylong festival at Westminster Quay on Saturday, Sept. 24.
“This is about the river. Everything we are trying to do is to bring that focus about the environment, the cultural and the economic part of the river so people can really appreciate this incredible thing we have in our backyard,” said Stephen Bruyneel, interim executive director of Fraser River Discovery Centre. People go down there, they walk, but you can’t take it for granted. It’s a really, really important asset for all of us.”
Along with the annual favourites, Fraser River Discovery Centre has added two new events to this year’s festivities.
On Thursday, Sept. 22, Fraser River Discovery Centre will be hosting the Canadian premiere of Yakona, a film directed by Paul Collins and Anlo Sepulveda that tells the story of Texas’s San Marcos River and its relationship to the world around it. The screening gets underway at 7 p.m.
“The film is about a river – it’s obviously not about our river but it’s a metaphor for all rivers,” Bruyneel said. “It’s a way for us to expand our audience for RiverFest. We are excited to see who turns out and what the discussion is about.”
Fraser River Discovery Centre is partnering with the New Westminster Arts Council for this year’s *click* photos of the fraser exhibit and the Living, Working River art exhibit. The *click* and the Living, Working River exhibit will be unveiled at Discovery Centre on Friday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m.
Both events are free, but space is limited so people must pre-register at Eventbrite.ca (search for Canadian premiere of Yakona or *click* photos of the fraser and Living, Working River art exhibition opening.)
The 14th annual RiverFest returns to the Quay on Sept. 24 and features art, historical, environmental and conservation projects, children’s activities in the Family Fun Zone and live music. Tugboats will take to the Fraser River at 1 p.m. for the Lucille Johnstone workboat parade.
“For the most part, it’s what people have seen in the past. We do that because that’s what they really enjoy. It’s all free, it’s all family focused. Lots of music, lots of opportunities for exhibitors and booths,” Bruyneel said. “One of the big highlights is the Lucille Johnstone tugboat parade. Little kids, when they see the tugboats they get really excited. It really is incredible. I think it drives home for people that the river is important for a whole bunch of reasons, but don’t lose sight of all the work that goes on on the river and those tugboats play a big part in that.”
