Richmond, BC Blossoming with Adventure this Spring

NEWS RELEASE

05.10.2012 

From lively Asian night markets to whale watching excursions, 
there’s no shortage of fun

Richmond, BC, CANADA – Spring has officially sprung in Richmond, British Columbia and there’s no better time than now to explore the unique offerings of this culturally diverse West Coast city.  Here are some of the top experiences on offer over the coming weeks:

Celebrate Asian Heritage Month at Two Authentic Asian Night Markets
For the first time, Richmond will boast two Asian-influenced night market extravaganzas – both of which open for the summer season this month and operate weekends and holidays through September. Nightly crowds of tens of thousands of people will navigate through vendor stalls laden with quirky trinkets (haggling permitted!), live entertainment and most importantly, dozens upon dozens of food carts. Tasty Asian street foods like Hong Kong-style bubble waffles, stinky tofu, beef skewers, BBQ squid and dragon’s beard candy (a Chinese version of cotton candy) are all prepared right before your eyes. Recently declared by Travel and Leisure Magazine as one of the best night markets in the world, Richmond’s Summer Night Market re-opens for its 2012 seasonal run along Vulcan Way on May 11. Meanwhile, the Richmond Night Market sets up shop on Duck Island across from the River Rock Casino Resort starting May 18.

BC Spot Prawn Season – Now Open!
Another of the Lower Mainland’s most anticipated outdoor markets, theSteveston Farmers and Artisans Market, returns to the Historic Fishing Village of Steveston on May 20 with booths full of organic, locally-grown eats. In addition to produce, homemade jams and jellies and pickled veggies, visitors can choose from freshly-baked goods, plants, flowers, health products, jewelry and unique West Coast crafts and artwork. The market runs bi-weekly until September 30, rain or shine. Be sure to take the time to explore the surrounding waterfront neighbourhood, which includes unique boutiques and two National Historic Sites that celebrate BC’s salmon history. Over at nearby Fisherman’s Wharf, you can purchase fresh fish and – for a limited time – wild BC Spot Prawns. The fishing season for these famously sweet and subtly flavoured crustaceans (a local favourite!) officially began in early May and runs for about eight weeks.  Or, leave the cooking to the professionals as you sit back and sip wine at one of the many waterfront restaurants along Steveston’s scenic boardwalk. You’ll find tasty dishes featuring BC Spot Prawns and other locally-sourced ingredients at eateries throughout Steveston – but hurry, they’ll disappear off the restaurant fresh sheets as soon as the season ends in June.

A Whale of a Time
Grab your camera! Richmond’s two whale-watching companies,Steveston Seabreeze Adventures and Vancouver Whale Watch, invite you aboard their low emission vessels to enjoy a whale watching excursion that boasts sighting success rates as high as 95 per cent. Last year around this time, travelling Orcas flocked to the Georgia Straight in unprecedented droves, feeding on seals and sea lions as they passed through – in August 2011, a selected number of passengers were lucky enough to observe a superpod of 88 whales in action. Whale watching operators are hoping 2012’s numbers will prove just as sizeable and anticipate that BC’s resident Orcas will return to the area from mid-May until October. Based out of Steveston, both of Richmond’s whale watching companies are active members of thePacific Whale Watch Association and offer eco-friendly tours that maintain a respectful distance in the animal’s best interest.

Spring Cleaning Your Health
Spring is often a time for renewal – this year, take your spring cleaning one step further by giving your health a spring cleaning of its own. Richmond has been named "The Healthiest City in Canada" according to a study published by Canadian Living. You can follow in the footsteps of fitness-conscious locals by hopping on a bike at Garry Point Park in Steveston and riding along the scenic dyke trails or the city’s 50 kilometres of designated on-street bike routes. Or pack a picnic and walk or jog the four kilometer (2.5 mile) Iona Jetty at Iona Beach Regional Park. If the forecast is for spring showers, hop indoors at the Richmond Olympic Oval to try the impressive 40 foot high new climbing wall, which boasts 31 unique routes suited to all skill levels. After working up a sweat, cool down at one of Richmond’s three Asian malls – Yaohan Centre, Parker Place or [Back to Press Releases Main]