The 8th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival promises to be bigger and better very big in fact.
Its quadrupled, said Dolly Hopkins, the creative director for the Richmond Maritime Festival. There will be so much going on, its difficult to name it all.
There will be 17 different entertainment zones, each one interactive and featuring roving performers from pirates to Crabette the Crab to a juggler and all sorts of ocean critters and activities in and around the Britannia Heritage Shipyard it will be a visual spectacle.
In fact, the festival has expanded the range of music, dance, theatre and art.
There will also be many free family activities including knot tying, rope making, model boat building and net mending, said Hopkins.
This whole weekend will be an ode to Stevestons rich Maritime connection and history.
People are fascinated with the maritime lore and this is an opportunity to engage and learn about it, added Hopkins. It is also a time to recognize the historical significance of this amazing site, the Britannia Heritage Shipyard.
Everyone from the youngest child to the pensioner will find something that interest him or her.
For example, Hopkins added, in Zone 1, which is dubbed Octopuss Garden, there will be two ships and the Black Fleet Pirates, who will engage the crowds with all sorts of games.
This zone is off the boardwalk as you pass through the gateway, she said. We really invite families to take part in the all day theatre games in this zone.
In Zone 2, Under the Deep Blue Sea, attendees can learn about water safety, visit the Vancouver Aquariums AquaVan and many nautical exhibitors as well.
There will be a show involving deep sea divers in the AquaVan, said Hopkins. In Zone 3, All Hands on Deck, there will be artist-led workshops, with Mortal Coil, Phoenix Art Workshop and the Vancouver Wooden Boat Society, where everyone can create prints, mosaics, lanterns and more.
The history of the early 20th century Chinese labourer will be on display in Zone 14, Chinese Bunkhouse.
Not to be missed is the exhibit How We Lived, which explores the way Richmondites lived and worked at the shipyards between 1910 and 1930.
There are five restored buildings/houses that depict different ways of life at Britannia, said Hopkins.
When it comes to the performers, roving entertainers and circle shows, David Jones, owner of Comedy Events, is responsible for putting together many of the acts.
We have the Rum Runner, he said. During prohibition, Richmond had a healthy rum running trade and one of them is still running around on the site trying to elude the police.
Then, he added, two storytellers will weave together author Jan Derbyshires fictitious story about the Murakami Boat Works.
Jones is also bringing circle shows to the festival.
Circle Shows are like stage shows - they gather a crowd around them (in a circle) and either sing or act or juggle, he added.
Meanwhile, Hopkins wants people to know that the Richmond Maritime Festival is not the PNE nor a craft fair, what it is is a spectator/participant based event.
This festival is based on engaging the crowds so the community feels connected to our nautical past and present, Hopkins said. Its really about capturing the maritime component and the historical significance of this marvelous site, the Britannia Heritage Shipyard.
Sandi Swanigan, manager of major events for the City of Richmond, added: Its like going to Disneyland without having to leave home.
Parks Canada will be there and they are putting on a theatre piece called Beaver Tales (in zone 1), said Swanigan, adding last year the three-day festival attracted more than 16,000 people. The performances are based on exhibits this will be a robust and diverse festival.
Feel free to being your blanket and a picnic lunch, added Swanigan.
People are encouraged to take transit or walk or cycle to the site as parking will be at a premium.
There is limited parking at Homma elementary school off of Westwater Drive and by the London Heritage Farm on Dyke Road, Swanigan said.
The 8th Annual Richmond Maritime Festival is on all weekend long, now to Sunday, Aug. 7. The Britannia Heritage Shipyard is located at 5180 Westwater Dr. in Steveston. You can download a festival map and brochure at http://www.richmondmaritimefestival.ca/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/RMF-brochure-web.pdf.
For a full listing of events throughout the weekend, log onto www.richmondmaritimefestival.com.
