Looking back at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Photo: Tourism Vancouver.

Today marks the 10th anniversary of the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and Whistler.

For 16 days, from Feb. 12-28 2010, the city welcomed visitors and celebrated with street parties, pavilions, cultural activities and of course the Games themselves.

The event brought a then-unprecedented number of people and media attention to the city. The opening and closing ceremonies introduced the world to a wealth of Canadian talent. Canadian athletes won a total of 26 medals, including 14 gold medals, seven silver medals, and five bronze medals. The gold medal haul set a historic record, as it was the most any nation had ever received at the Winter Olympics. The 2010 Games also marked the first time Canada won an Olympic gold medal on home soil thanks to freestyle skier Alex Bilodeau at Cypress Mountain.

Here’s a look at the legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and how they changed the city forever. You can also scroll down to find out where and how to celebrate the anniversary of the Games on Feb. 22.

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Looking back at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Look who’s coming to Fan Expo Vancouver 2020

Stars of the big screen and small are the big draw at Fan Expo Vancouver, a yearly three-day pop-culture event of photo ops, autographs, games, exhibitors, and cosplayers.

This year, the big names at Fan Expo Vancouver (Feb. 15-17 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 999 Canada Place) include Christina Ricci (Addams Family), Tom Welling (Smallville), and Brendan Fraser (Doom Patrol, Encino Man). Other guests include two guys from The Office (Brian Baumgartner and Oscar Nuñez), William B. Davis (X-Files), and Levar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation).

Of course, Fan Expos aren’t just celebrity gawkathons; there’s also a comic-book component, harking back to fan conventions’ roots. They might be strangers to the general public, but several guests will have comics fans rooting through their long-boxes to pull out copies of back issues to be signed. Here’s a look at some of the ink-stained wretches coming to Fan Expo Vancouver 2020.

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Look who’s coming to Fan Expo Vancouver 2020

Vancouver Neighbourhoods: Coal Harbour

Coal Harbour is the perfect neighbourhood to explore on two wheels (Tourism Vancouver/Hubert Kang).

Although Coal Harbour is situated in central downtown, the neighbourhood is surprisingly quiet. Starting at Canada Place and stretching towards Stanley Park, Coal Harbour is bordered by Burrard Inlet to the north and West Georgia Street to the south. The district encompasses a fairly even mix of business and residential buildings, and is marked by residents and visitors strolling the seawall, lounging at cozy cafes and restaurants, snapping selfies against a scenic marina backdrop and waving hello to cute-as-buttons harbour seals.

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Vancouver Neighbourhoods: Coal Harbour

The original Hulk and Buffy are coming to the Fan Expo Vancouver. What more do you want?

Hellboy’s Ron Perlman (right) is coming to Fan Expo Vancouver. But don’t ask him about Hellboy.

Each year, Halloween comes a little early for Vancouver geeks and freaks. Fan Expo Vancouver (Oct. 12-14 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, 1055 Canada Place) is a three-day wonderland of comics, animation, sci-fi, horror, gaming and more.

This year, featured guests include the original Hulk, the original Buffy, and the new Aquaman. See below for more.

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The original Hulk and Buffy are coming to the Fan Expo Vancouver. What more do you want?

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! No, it’s the inaugural Vancouver International Bird Festival…

The rare Philippine Eagle is the subject of the documentary Bird of Prey, screening at Science World as part of the first Vancouver International Bird Festival.

The birds are coming. And they’re bigger, badder and beakier than ever.

Besides being a popular pastime in North America, Japan and Europe, birdwatching has spawned over 200 festivals in the U.S. and Canada. This year, to coincide with the 27th International Ornithological Congress at the Vancouver Convention Centre, the inaugural Vancouver International Bird Festival takes place (Aug. 19 to 26).

It will be the biggest bird festival ever held in Canada. The Congress expects to attract 3,000, while the festival is expected to bring 30,000 birdwatchers, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts to events in and around the city. (According to Wiki, as of July of this year, 576 species have been documented in B.C.) Events include Return of the Hipster Birdwatcher, bird-themed improv comedy, and a talk by Jennifer Ackerman, author of the bestselling The Genius of Birds.

Here are some highlights of the festival.

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Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! No, it’s the inaugural Vancouver International Bird Festival…

On Belay! – 2018 Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show

Dream big! Ignite your passion for the outdoors at the 2018 Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show. BC’s largest showcase of outdoor gear and adventure travel experiences comes to the Vancouver Convention Centre, March 3rd and 4th. Whether you are a paddling enthusiast, a scuba diver, a nature photographer, a hardy road cyclist or someone seeking an adventure travel destination, the Outdoor Show is guaranteed to capture your imagination.

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On Belay! – 2018 Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show

Last chance tickets (and hotel deals!) for 2018 Vancouver International Wine Festival

Vancouver International Wine Festival 2018 tasting room and available events

Spain and Portugal are the featured countries at this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival.

The International Tasting Festival is the heart of the Vancouver International Wine Festival (Feb. 24-March 4).

Held in a cavernous ballroom at the Vancouver Convention Centre (1055 Canada Place), the tasting brings together all of the festival’s participating wineries gather to pour their select wines over three evenings and one afternoon. It’s a chance to discover new wines, or return to your favourites. And it’s a great social occasion; Sunday sippers and veteran tipplers, and everyone in between, can not only share tasting notes and finds with fellow enthusiasts but chat up winery reps, grape growers and more industry experts.

While many VIWF events, including the March 3 Saturday night Tasting Festival, are sold-out, tickets are still available for three other Tastings (Thursday evening March 1, Friday evening March 2, and Saturday afternoon March 3). Book a room before Feb. 15 through StayVancouverHotels.com at a participating downtown hotel and get a free Tasting Room ticket (promo code: VIWF).

Still hesitating? Here’s what you need to know about the Tasting Festival, along with some intel on the last remaining events with available tickets.

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Last chance tickets (and hotel deals!) for 2018 Vancouver International Wine Festival