The Fraser River Discovery Centre is pleased to announce the return of its annual RiverFest, Metro Vancouver’s biggest celebration of the environmental, economic and socio-cultural importance of the Fraser River. Riverfest will run from September 22 – 24th at the New Westminster Quay.
Presented this year by Port of Vancouver, RiverFest 2016 will open with the Canadian premiere of YAKONA, BC Director Paul Collins’ multi-award winning film about Texas’s San Marcos River and its relationship with the world around it.
“We are really looking forward to this year’s festival, which attracts over 10,000 visitors to the Westminster Quay,” said Fraser River Discovery Centre (FRDC) Interim-Executive Director Stephen Bruyneel. “Adding to the excitement is our opening night event – the Canadian premier of BC Director Paul Collins’ stunning film YAKONA.”
YAKONA follows the San Marcos River from source to sea, through the changing seasons, interpreting the river’s time and memory and documenting this relationship between the natural world and man. The film has won five major international awards since its release, including the coveted SXSW Visions Audience Award at its World Premiere in Austin TX.
“While YAKONA focuses on the San Marcos River, it can be seen as a metaphor for rivers all around the world,” added Bruyneel. “It serves as a reminder that rivers must be shared and cared for by all users as a tribute to those who came before, and those who have yet to experience their glory.
RiverFest 2016 will continue on Friday night with the annual *click* photos of the fraser exhibit, which brings together an assortment of perspectives of the Fraser River from the Rocky Mountains to the Salish Sea. Each year a new selection of photographs is unveiled on a different theme, which this year is “Time”.
“RiverFest is always one of the region’s premier events, both because of its family-focus and due to the fact it is held in conjunction with BC and World Rivers Day,” concluded Bruyneel. “The Fraser River is an economic, environmental and social icon for the Lower Mainland, British Columbia and all of Canada and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating our mighty river!”
RiverFest 2016 concludes on Saturday with its signature outdoor festival, which includes music, food, activities and the famous Lucille Johnstone Work Boat Parade.