Powell Street Festival

1977 marked the one hundredth anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese Canadian immigrant - Manzo Nagano. It was also the start of the Powell Street Festival.

As we all know the Japanese - both immigrants and Canadian born - have had to deal with many hardships yet have stuck it out and thankfully flourished. And the first Powell Street Festival was honouring the fact that after a hundred years they are still here.

The festival is a celebration of history and place. Held at what is now known as Oppenheimer Park, this was originally Powell Grounds and was in the center of Japantown. It was a thriving community of shops, services and of family. People gathered in this park to cheer on the Asahi baseball team and to experience a sport that was denied to them elsewhere because of their heritage.

This festival is a Canadian version of the Japanese matsuri.

Matsuri is the Japanese word for festival and these festivals are usually sponsored by a local temple or shrine although they can be secular as well.

Last year when I attended the festival I ate tofu from Sunrise Soya. This year I tried the Spam Sushi. It was different I will say that. Who knows what I will taste if I go next year!

I am not sure what the Osaka Ball was but, as you can see, the line up shows it must be popular.

Sunrise Soya was there again and this time showing some of the clothing they sell. Once I get my weight down - hopefully around Christmas - I want to get one of the black hoodies. They look comfortable and warm!

If you've remembered to bring some money with you, you won't starve. And food is not that expensive. I like to walk around the park and see what is being sold and then chose the one I want to try. One thing and that way I won't end up being too full and not able to walk home.

There was also unique, fun displays.

A yo-yo water balloon. A different idea I would say and looked like fun. A person had to fish them out of the bin of water with a hook on a string - much like a fishing rod.

I have more photos to show you and more to talk about concerning the festival. But that is for another day.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill,Japanese, Vancouver,Powell Street Festival,matsuri,Spam Sushi,History,Sunrise Soya

Car Free Days II

Here's some more information on the Car Free Day on June 19 on the Drive. First I am going to show you  photos of the main reason I don't bring money with me to these events.

Doesn't the sight of that luscious fruit just make your mouth water? It sure did mine as I was walking by.

The Portuguese Club pulled out their old style barbecues and were serving smoked fish.

An Indian restaurant on the Drive had tempting looking cuisine as well.

And there were some healthy snacks as well for those who like something salty.

And there was good old gelato too of course.

Rooted, a cafe on the Drive that is part of Commerical Drive's Only All Organic Grocer - Eternal Abundance - had samples of their vegan, organice cookies.

Just down the block, Drive Organics, also had samples outside. So a person doesn't need money to munch out at these things.

I also find some of the people that attend events such as this to be interesting.

And one thing I have discovered over the years is that the more unique a person looks, the friendlier they are.

I also had the opportunity to meet fellow writer Jak King. Mr. King has published a book entitled The Drive which tells some of the history of Commercial Drive.

I intend on ordering it in the next month and I hope that you might take a look at it as well. If you are interested but can't purchase it right now, then check the library.

I hope you find the beauty around you.

Karen Magill, Car Free Days, Vancouver,The Drive,Jak+King,History,music,food

Japan, Canada, Paris

Today's stroll took me to the Oppenheimer Park on Powell Street. Yesterday and today the park was host to the 34th Annual Powell Street Festival. This festival is the longest ongoing community event in Vancouver and a very large Japanese Canadian event.

I first heard the strong beat and sounds of the band, Paris in Tokyo so I wandered over to the band shell. The music was enjoyable and added a element of excitement to the festival. People of all ages were tapping along to the tunes. I usually walk around with my iPod on but not today. Instead I let the sounds of the band entertain me.

This is another culture within our own. Everywhere I went I heard and saw things that were different from what I am usually exposed to. Like when I glanced at the trees. A trio of birds that won't make a mess!

As soon as I saw these young ladies I immediately thought how graceful they looked. How elegant.

This next duo were on their way to an archery exhibition at the Japanese school. I was invited but I didn't make it.

People were everywhere...

and they just kept mulitplying it seemed!

Some were interesting people enjoying a meal and the atmosphere.

And others like Native Artist Richard Shorty came to show a bit of their work.

But one of the best things about these festivals are the food. Sunrise-Soya had a booth and I found their menu to be very appealing.

This was delicious! For six dollars I got an order of Tofuyaki, Asian slaw and Matcha Frappe to drink. In addition, because I bought the combo, a free cloth shopping bag was included with my order. Can't beat that - hours later I am still full! And if you are interested in the meal, the recipes are on the website. (there is also a great cookbook)

While I was walking to the park I passed Sunrise Soya foods.

This is a real rags to riches story. In 1956 a Chinese immigrant realized that there was a demand for tofu in Vancouver's chinatown. So he and his wife began making tofu in the back of their grocery store, Sunrise Market which is still there over fifty years later. Sunrise began making it's first packaged tofu to market to other stores in 1985 in a factory space of 5,000 square feet. Now their soy products are manufactured in a factory and warehouse space of about 35,000 square feet and the company employs over 200 people. (Ten years ago Sunrise opened a factory in Toronto to help meet the demand or their product.)

And to think it all started with a man making a product in the back of a little grocery store then carting buckets of tofu to sell. Really shows what a person can do if they put try hard enough.

I hope you enjoyed your trip to the Powell Street Festival. I know I did. The only negative was that I was supposed to see my friend and dentist there but I couldn't find Ken. Sorry about that.

Until next time I hope you find the beauty around you.

TAGS:Vancouver, Karen Magill, Powell Street Festival,
Paris in Tokyo,Sunrise Soya Foods,Tofuyaki,Walk