Every Place Has a Story

The PNE in the ’70s: A photo essay by Bruce Stewart

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The PNE kicks off today (Saturday August 17) and runs until September 2.

In 1992, I worked at the Vancouver Sun and that year I spent most of my August shifts at the PNE.

One day I’d write about the rodeo clown who had broken every bone in his body at least once.

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Italian Days 1977: a photo essay by Bruce Stewart

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June is Italian heritage month, and this year Italian Days was held on Sunday June 9, 2024

I hate crowds, so I can’t give you a first-hand account of Italian Days this year. Having watched a couple of YouTube videos though, I can tell you that it was a gorgeous day that drew thousands of people to eat, drink and be entertained on Commercial Drive in what the Italians (or possibly City Hall) are billing as the largest cultural street festival in Vancouver.

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The Westwood Racing Circuit (1959-1990)

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Before it was a housing development and golf course, Westwood Plateau was a 1,400 acre-odd parcel of land that included a racetrack.

All photos by Bruce Stewart in 1970.

Two of the streets in the development – Deer’s Leap Place and Carousel Court – were named for the track’s most challenging sections.

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The Mission Pleasure Faire of 1971

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The Dewdney Trunk Road Pleasure Faire was held over three days in September 1971, on land that was designated to become a federal penitentiary in Mission, BC.

All photos by Bruce Stewart

The Deluxe group—Alan Clapp, Dan Clemens, Ian Ridgway and Ray Clark—applied for the permit, and Clemens and Ridgway spent the summer deconstructing barns and designing and building a 60-acre village.

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The 1972 Dollarton Pleasure Faire

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The Dollarton Pleasure Faire was held in the summer of ’72 at the Maplewood Mudflats in North Vancouver. It was a celebration of alternative living, an acknowledgement that its days were numbered, and it was timed to clash with the annual PNE.

At least as far back as the 1940s, squatters were part of a long tradition of settlements such as Crabtown in North Burnaby and Finn Slough in Steveston.

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More Photos of Kitsilano in the 1970s and ’80s

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Last week’s blog on Kitsilano featuring Bruce Stewart’s photos, brought back memories and a healthy does of nostalgia from those of you who were lucky to have known Kits in the ‘70s.

In this week’s blog I’m delighted to bring you photos from Angus McIntyre, Gord McCaw, Peter Dobo and a couple more from Bruce, interspersed with your comments.

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Kitsilano in the ’70s: a photo essay

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I lived at three different addresses along West 3rd in Kitsilano between 1984 and 1995. And, while I loved the beach, the restaurants, West 4th Avenue, and Granville Island, I would have liked to have known Kits in the 1970s.

An essay in photos by Bruce Stewart

Kits Pool:

Fortunately, Bruce Stewart spent half of that decade living in a $280 a month (heat and hot water included) apartment at 2340 Cornwall Avenue, just across from Kits pool.

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