Powell Street Festival Society
Categories: Local Flavour Arts & Entertainment Festivals Local Flavour, Festivals [Edit]
Suite 410-111West Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1H4
(604) 739-9388
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
3 reviews for Powell Street Festival Society
3 reviews in English
-
Review from Annie W.
8/1/2011 4 photos
I really enjoyed my time at the Powell Street Festival!
My friends and I visited all the stands. The stands were selling hand made items using Japanese style fabrics and there were stands selling Japanese pottery hand made by locals and antiques. There were also yummy food stands that sold Japanese food and other festival foods. It was definitely a relaxing day. Especially when we were sitting under the shade of a tree while listening to the performers sing. There were also performances that were a mix of modern and traditional Japanese dance and music.
I also love how the festival organizers were eco-conscious. There were recycling bins for paper, plastic, and aluminum items and bins for compostable items right beside all the garbage bins. They also arranged for all napkins, food utensils and food containers to be compostable or recyclable. And they arranged a designated free and secured parking for bicycles and carts. Good job!
This is a really good family activity. I think we need more of these cultural festivals! It definitely livens up the community!
Note: if you guys are driving to the festival then be warned about parking. Parking can be free but make sure to follow all the signs. There were a lot of tow trucks this year. There were meter parking too and luckily its cheaper than most places for that option. It does get pretty busy so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to find parking or just go early to avoid the parking issues. -
Review from Crystal H.
Vancouver, BC
8/1/2009 1 photo
What is the Powell Street Festival one might ask?
It's dragons, and ice cream trucks, and kimono onesies for kiddies and street food with lineup after lineup, and of course Japanese Hip Hop.
Held this year in Woodland Park, the festival is itself not huge. The Hip hop music was the soundtrack to my couple hours in the park. A row of merchant stalls, selling everything from stuffed sushi toys and children's clothing, to jewelry and pottery, and tents specifically designated for seniors and children, kept me occupied amongst the shady trees, while the hoards of people lining up for food under the hot, hot afternoon heat kept me away from gorging myself!
There was lots of parking around and walking with an "Xtreme Sour" Popsicle from the ice cream man who spoke to me in 3 different languages may have been confusing, but it was a great way to stay cool! -
Review from samuel a.
Vancouver, BC
8/3/2009
Yes I do love PSF - but I have a little more of a vested interest b/c I'm Japanese-Canadian myself.
The food isn't the greatest - I can make better at home - better yet, my mom can make better at home. The lines are waaaayyy too long for food (you'd think after all these years the food stands would come up with increased efficiency).
I never really look at the stands, and don't really visit around the other booths either.
But it's really for what it stands. It's been going for over 30 years, you see recognizable faces at the festival every year from friends to past acquaintances, it's great for the kids to dress up in their Yukatas and be running around. It's a must to bring a blanket and find a good patch of grass to camp out on for a few hours while people watching, listening to the musical acts (what the hell was up with the Alien music show on Saturaday anyway?!? I still can't get the chorus "Aliens eat what humans do" out of my head), napping, talking, visiting, eating ... It's what it's all about.
And it wasn't held ON Powell Street this year but when it is, it's nice to have the Buddist Temple there along with the Vancouver Japanese Language school - both 100 year old institutions as well as going on the Powell Street tours (of which I've been a guide the past number of years).
So for others it may just be a place to spend a few minutes in, but there is sentimental significance that runs much deeper than what you can see.
History
Established in 1977
In 1977, the Japanese Canadian centennial year, the first Powell Street Festival was initiated by a member of the Japanese Canadian Volunteers Association (Tonari Gumi) in an effort to celebrate the area that was once known as Japantown and produce an event similar to the summer festivals in Japan. Since then, the festival has grown to become a much-loved annual event that presents performances and displays which have encouraged and inspired many Asian Canadians to pursue careers in the arts. The Festival marks its 35th year in 2011 with its longest and largest festival to date.
