Light Up Chinatown festival returns to Vancouver this weekend
Posted August 22, 2024 9:04 pm.
Last Updated August 23, 2024 6:29 am.
The streets of Vancouver’s Chinatown will be buzzing with entertainment and food this weekend in the 4th Light Up Chinatown festival.
But as organizers and local businesses gear up for the event, public safety remains at the top of their minds in light of a tragedy at last year’s event.
“Safety is a top priority for us,” said Carrie Leung, director of events for the Chinatown Foundation.
“We’ve worked very closely with VPD this year to increase security.”
Last year’s festivities ended abruptly when three people were stabbed in a random attack as the festival wrapped up. Police quickly arrested Blair Evan Donnelly, who was charged with three counts of aggravated assault.
“So much work has been put into this community, especially this festival, to have that happen,” said Const. Tania Visintin, VPD media liaison.
“It affected so many people and it was very disheartening. Thankfully, we had a big police presence, and we were able to arrest the suspect immediately. So this year, we will have a large police presence, in uniform and in plainclothes.”
The Chinatown Foundation says the community is grateful for the support it has received since the incident and that people should not be discouraged from attending.
“We don’t want this to define us, and our neighbourhood is resilient,” Leung said.
“Light up Chinatown is a celebration of the community that we built together. Chinatown is one of the last remaining cultural and historical neighbourhoods in the country, and we want to share how special this neighbourhood is to not only Vancouver but the country.”
New to the celebrations this year is the Hawkers Lane Street Food Special, where 10 chefs from the community have designed dishes exclusive to the event.
Light Up Chinatown will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
