City of Vancouver News Release: City presents Car Free Day in Gastown

City of Vancouver News Release

September 12, 2005

City presents Car Free Day in Gastown

The City of Vancouver joins 1,500 cities and 100 million people worldwide to celebrate International Car Free Day (carfreedayvancouver.ca) with a fun, free street festival:

Car Free Day Street Festival, Thursday, September 22, 2005
12 noon to 8 p.m.
Water Street from Richards to Carrall

Car Free Day focuses awareness on the social, economic and environmental benefits of reduced car use. It is one of the sustainability initiatives undertaken by the City of Vancouver, presented in partnership with Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST) and the Gastown Business Improvement Society.

Mayor Larry Campbell will proclaim the day as Car Free Day in Vancouver, and will be on the main stage at 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 22.

Highlights include:

live music on the main stage music (Maple Tree Square, Carrall & Water)
BMX bike tricks (on Cambie)
Pedalling Zoo ride-able sculptures
a fuel-efficient vehicle display (near the steam clock, Water & Cambie)
sustainability information fair - exhibits, demos and displays on Water Street
Philosopher's Cafe at Gaoler's Mews (entrances on Water & Carrall Streets)
Car Part Art sculpture exhibit in Storyeum (142 Water Street).

The event is free and everyone is welcome. For a full list of scheduled activities, visit carfreedayvancouver.ca.

Water Street from Main Street to Richards Street will be closed to all traffic -- except emergency vehicles and local residents -- from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, September 22. Motorists are asked to find an alternate route.

For more information:
Barbara Constantine, City of Vancouver Sustainability Office
604-873-7981

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - Thursday, September 22, 2005

MAIN STAGE

12:00 Car-free Foot Parade led by the Carnival Band from the steam clock, Water Street at Cambie, to the main stage.
12:15 Carnival Band and Joey Keithley (aka Joey "Shithead")
12:30 Car Free Day opening ceremonies
1:00 Alpha Yaya Diallo
2:00 Take it Easy: A Fashion Show for You and the Planet
2:30 Swank
3:00 Sparrow
4:00 Catlow
5:00 Tony & Tina's Bicycle Wedding
5:30 Consider the Journey - A Blessing for Car Free Day
6:00 Soulstream
7:00 The Parallels
8:00 Event closes.

GAOLER'S MEWS

12:30, 2:00, 3:30 and 5:00 Simon Fraser University Philosopher's Cafe: vibrant street level discussions on sustainability topics. Everyone is welcome, but seating is limited.

ALL DAY STREET ACTIVITIES

Car Part Art exhibit in Storyeum
BMX free-style bike tricks
Vancouver's first ever "Car Park Garden" parked in front of Storyeum
Pedalling Zoo ride-able bike sculptures
Climate-friendly Car Park -- a fuel efficient vehicles display

All events are free and suitable for the entire family.

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