Chinese New Year in Vancouver, BC.

bradpowellphotobradpowellphoto Registered Users Posts: 378 Major grins
edited March 14, 2009 in Journeys
Its been a lonnnngggggg dreary winter here on Vancouver Island and I decided to get off the rock and take the ferry to Vancouver to photograph the colorful annual Chinese New Years parade.

Its a colorful vibrant parade with up to 2000 participants and the sidewalks of Chinatown are jammed with spectators every year. I figured that maybe all that color and energy might rub off on me!

466536562_uEisX-L.jpg
The parade starts to get organised under the Millenium Gates on Pender Street

466524345_XcSom-L.jpg
I think most of the homeless people tried to get out of the way of the crowds and headed for someplace quieter .

466530346_vSSpG-L.jpg
This is your view of the parade if you are not willing to fight your way to the front of the crowd.

466531031_5b5bo-L.jpg
The parade started with a symphony of firecrakers and the rumble of the Vancouver Police Harleys.

466488909_YQZwS-L.jpg
Out goes the old year!

466496735_DzYYs-L.jpg
As you can see it was a wet parade! I dragged my lovely old Canon 20D off the shelf because I was not afraid to get it wet!

466534199_BSzsr-L.jpg
A Canadian parade without bagpipes? Not on your life Laddie!

466508812_JhcWV-L.jpg
A moment of reflection amongst all the noise

466514361_Aqepk-L.jpg
Our First Nations communities were well represented.

466523173_NvpCm-L.jpg
This old fellow was really enjoying the parade!

466516218_hHCeh-L.jpg
These Brasilian dancers certainly got a lot of attention from the photographers.

466502596_ku3hH-L.jpg
A dragon goes by.

466505589_ysdoy-L.jpg
These dancers moved beautifully with their fans!

466504404_TBxZq-L.jpg
He was enjoying himself despite the heavy rain!

466518447_4TFkS-L.jpg
The centuries old tradition of the balloon dragon....?

466511651_WADC8-L.jpg
It's hard to capture the essence of a synchronized martial arts routine in a still image.

466544189_cGDHz-L.jpg
What a smile...

466542578_wkQ35-L.jpg
Is there anything cuter than a group of kids having a good time in a parade?

466543766_KPsmC-L.jpg
The crowd was in an awesome mood and happy to pose for the seemingly hundreds of photographers.

466544737_JoydL-L.jpg
I love these standards!

466550395_hLnDf-L.jpg
Damn those pesky photographers getting in MY way!

466549559_x5aMk-L.jpg
The action of the dragon captured!

466540916_hrrAz-L.jpg
Wonderful colors!

466539085_V96zB-L.jpg
More of the same...

466552410_EfSZ2-L.jpg
And more.....

466521752_5B9S6-L.jpg
Lots of media out for this parade.

466516781_pm3Hu-L.jpg
Your never too old to go in a parade...remember that

I hoped you enjoyed this brief glimpse of this wonderful winter parade! I know I certainly enjoyed every minute of it.
“Look, I'm not an intellectual - I just take pictures.” Helmut Newton

My Vancouver Island Photography Website http://bradpowellphoto.com
My Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/bradpowellphoto

Comments

  • angevin1angevin1 Registered Users Posts: 3,403 Major grins
    edited February 25, 2009
    Very vibrant colors!! Thanks for sharing.
    tom wise
  • CuongCuong Registered Users Posts: 1,508 Major grins
    edited February 26, 2009
    Well done. Imagine these vibrant colors with a sunlit day.

    Cuong
    "She Was a Little Taste of Heaven – And a One-Way Ticket to Hell!" - Max Phillips
  • cdonovancdonovan Registered Users Posts: 724 Major grins
    edited March 5, 2009
    Lovely lovely set of pictures, I really loved the colors, they were so vibrant. Congrats to you for making rainy Vancouver a sun shiney looking place! :D
  • captnemocaptnemo Registered Users Posts: 186 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2009
    I love the expressions on peoples faces, so many smiling people in spite of the rain and of course a new years parade always has such wonderful colors. It definetly has a different flavor then the parade here in California (not a single bagpipe to be seen here :) ) though the rain gear reminds me of my pics of Last years New years parade in San Francisco. This year I had a more enjoyable time as it didn't rain but I really liked some of the pics I got in the rain last year.
  • SuweidongSuweidong Registered Users Posts: 52 Big grins
    edited March 14, 2009
    so excellent photos!!!!!!!!
    China Red, China dancing dragon and lion, these are very tipical Chinese Spring Festivalclap.gifclap.gifclap.gif
    :barb Welcome visit my picture website--http://www.webphotos.cn :ivar
Sign In or Register to comment.