On the day

Sunshine Coast dancers arrived en masse at ICE GATE about 3 pm. We rounded opposite corners at the same time.


All dispersed, wandering the OZone before the final rehearsal.



The press arrived on site: Discovery Network, French-language CBC-TV; Coast Cable, Coast Reporter,


photographers from The Vancouver Sun and Province, a contingent from the network that feeds footage to the international press.




Crowds gathered. The painting began to glow against the dusk. You could hear exclamations from people as they first had a glance at the colors.






As darkenss fell, Ted Townsend gave the signal that everything was ready.






Gerardo turned the music on, and . . .




As the dance ended, Gord was held up by the dancers and carried aloft the crowd amidst cheering & applause.


When things settled down, Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie made the introductions.


Gord was clearly moved by the outburst, and thanked his friends on the Sunshine Coast, the dancers especially.


After the ribbon cutting, the crowd mingled - we saw lots of familiar faces; friends & family who had come to celebrate.






Inniskillin hosted wine tasting across the laneway.



Photographers contributing today: Les Bazo, Bill Forst, Caitlin Hicks, Lennea, David Phillips, Traci Stefanucci - thank you!

Check out The Vancouver Sun, February 12th, page A-17 for a large photo of Performance for Ice Gate!