Torchbearer 50 Matt Hallat lights the cauldron on stage in Whistler, BC

The second phase of our 2010 Games celebration is about to arrive here in Vancouver, beginning with the Paralympic Torch Relay touching down late Wednesday morning, then moving on later in the day to Maple Ridge. On Thursday, a 24-hour long passing of the Paralympic Torch begins in Downtown Vancouver. If you can be in the vicinity of the Hillcrest/Riley Community Centre on Wednesday, a celebration begins at 11am and lasts until 1pm.

A unique flame creation ceremony by the Tsleil’Waututh Nation will kick off the Paralympic Torch Relay. The Flame will travel in a circular route in Riley Park with exchanges taking place along the route and a street party on Ontario Street.

Continue reading Paralympic Torch Relay touches down in Vancouver Wednesday.

2010 Paralympics Fun? Find it here!

CityCaucus.com's Daniel Fontaine and Mike Klassen have developed this one-of-a-kind page where you can discover and share your views about the 2010 Paralympic Games Free Events & Venues.

Share your 2010 Paralympics photos using our Flickr Group or email us your YouTube links so we can share with our readers. Tell friends through email, your Twitter or Facebook connections and let's have a whole lot of (affordable) fun!

UPDATE for Tuesday, Mar 9th, 2010...Only 1000 tickets or so left for opening ceremony. Only the $175 tickets are available. Let's fill the house and make some noise in support of our athletes! Royal Canadian Mint announces their free pavilion will be located at the Vancouver Public Library main branch during the Games. You have a chance to win one of two pairs of tickets to the opening ceremony. Click here for details. Check back regularly for our 2010 Paralympics page updates!

BC Hydro Power Smart Village   15 comments

OPEN MAR 1-21, 2010: This winter during the 2010 Games, BC Hydro will be opening the doors to the BC Hydro Power Smart Village, another free attraction. Visitors are welcomed to celebrate the spirit of the Games in a theme of conservation and sustainability. Members of your entire family will enjoy a wide range of activities like dancing on a sustainable dance floor, creating an inspirational message on the digital expression wall or even taking a break from cheering on athletes to check out First Nation carvings or our "the future is now" home exhibit. You'll even have a chance to win Olympic tickets by taking part in one of their many events. Click here to read our special Editor's Review of this pavilion.

The venue is about one-block from the LiveCity Downtown site and the Canada Pavilion in Vancouver.  Click here for directions.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, family-friendly venue, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, late evening activities, open during paralympics, open for paralympics, print guide

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BC Pavilion (Vancouver Art Gallery)   17 comments

OPEN MAR 12-21, 2010: The British Columbia Pavilion will be proudly located at the beautiful Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) building next to Robson Square. You can expect to see a number of interactive displays that will highlight the rich cultural fabric of both British Columbia and Canada. You gotta check out BC's fantastic new You Gotta Be Here ad.

Live concert performances are taking place at Robson Square which will feature several BC musical artists (more information below). This downtown hub also features the International Media Centre where several live broadcasts are taking place, the Ziptrek line over Robson Square, and the GE Plaza skating rink.

A series of displays highlighting BC industry & tourism will also be on-site. Visitors will get full access to the VAG for free during the Games and the venue is anticipated to be open between 10:00 am – 5:00 pm daily (no evening hours, private events only). A special Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit is available for public viewing. Located in the heart of downtown across from the huge Canadian flag at Georgia & Howe Street and right next to the GE Plaza outdoor skating rink, this will definitely become a popular gathering place. The north lawn is also home to the official Omega Olympic and Paralympic Countdown Clock. The area is conveniently accessed by the Skytrain or Canada Line Vancouver City Centre stops. You, definitely, gotta be here.

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Tagged: 2010 Venue, aboriginal themed, features live music, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, late evening activities, open for paralympics, print guide, regional canada themed

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Bombardier Streetcar   39 comments

OPERATING UNTIL MAR 21, 2010: Known as the Olympic Line, this will be a demonstration project between Granville Island "French Quarter" and the Olympic Village Canada Line station. A modern and "high-end" European streetcar will shuttle passengers by rail between the Canada Line and the “French Quarter” at Granville Island. It is free to ride, but they are expecting over 500,000 people will take the trip over the two month period when it will be in operation. The train is scheduled to start running on January 21st (open ceremonies take place at 9:30am at Cambie & 2nd Avenue, beside the Olympic Village Canada Line station) through March 21st, and it will run 18 hours per day. CityCaucus.com also took some great photos of the Olympic Line, and has this exclusive first look video. Here's the map to the Granville Island stop, and here is the map to the Olympic Village stop.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, family-friendly venue, kids welcomed, Now Open, on false creek south side, open for paralympics, print guide

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Canada Line (to YVR)   19 comments

While not free, for about the price of a cup of coffee, you can ride the beautiful new Canada Line rapid transit system, and head from the downtown Waterfront station all the way to the Vancouver International Airport. Along the way, you will cross the mighty Fraser River and have the opportunity to stop at trendy Oakridge Mall and Cambie Village.

When you arrive at the airport, be sure to visit one of the most beautiful airport observatories found anywhere on the planet. Here is a YouTube video you can watch before you go. We also have a photo of it on our Flickr page.

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Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, family-friendly venue, in downtown vancouver, kids welcomed, Now Open, open for paralympics, print guide

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Canada Pavilion   30 comments

  OPEN MAR 12-21: Centrally located at Vancouver's LiveCity Downtown Celebration Site (corner of Georgia St and Cambie St), the Canada Pavilion will demonstrate Canada's commitment to creative excellence, sustainable development and fostering diversity with informative and innovative content that is sure to make Canadians proud. Inside the pavilion, visitors can use interactive technologies to learn about Canadian sport excellence, including Canada's Olympic and Paralympic history, trivia and visual displays illustrating Canadian innovation in sporting equipment and technology, and virtual snowboard and slapshot games. The Pavilion will provide an opportunity to learn more about Olympic and Paralympic sports and help to choose an activity that's right for you. Hours of operation are March 12-14, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. March 18-21, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

See CityCaucus.com's exclusive "first look" profile of the Canada Pavilion!

Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, canadian themed, features live music, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, late evening activities, open for paralympics, print guide, regional canada themed

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Canada's Northern House   39 comments

OPEN MAR 1-31: Canada’s Northern House, at 602 W. Hastings Street & Seymour in Vancouver, is located in the heart of downtown. You can expect to be captivated with the simulated northern lights shining from the windows. The lights will draw people in to view and get information on Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon art, business, athletes, cultural performers and artists.Visitors to Northern House will be greeted at the entrance by an inuksuk built by former Nunavut Commissioner Peter Irniq, using stone from Nunavut, Northwest Territories and British Columbia. Canada’s Northern House will showcase talented performers such as Artcirq and throat singers, drum dancers, and traditional games athletes during the Olympic Games. Canada’s Northern House will have an art lounge, story telling area and an exhibit called “The North Today” featuring interactive displays on living, visiting and investing in Nunavut. There will also be business information about the three territories. Visitors also have the chance to win an $8,000 diamond or a 3.8 ounce gold nugget valued at $7,000. The House is open through March 31, 2010. Daily hours during the 2010 Olympic Games will be 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Before and after the 2010 Olympic Games, it will be open from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Check out some cool CityCaucus.com exclusive photos and video of the pavilion by clicking here. Check out Daniel's review by clicking here.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, aboriginal themed, activities for children, family-friendly venue, features live music, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, Now Open, open for paralympics, print guide, regional canada themed

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CentrePlace Manitoba   14 comments

OPEN MAR 12-21, 2010: CentrePlace Manitoba is a 2,560 sq ft, pre-fabricated, sustainable building featuring Manitoba products and technology. Multimedia exhibits, developed in Manitoba, will showcase tourism, business, immigration and sport and highlight our province’s prosperity, opportunity and potential. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights will be a partner and have a feature exhibit in the pavilion.

Thirty Manitoba artists and arts groups will perform, supported by the Manitoba Arts Council, as part of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad. Many of our province’s Aboriginal artists will also perform at the Four Host First Nations pavilion. CentrePlace Manitoba will be located at the LiveCity Vancouver – Downtown site (on Georgia Street at Cambie).CentrePlace Manitoba will be open during both the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games. See a short video here with more info.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, family-friendly venue, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, late evening activities, open for paralympics, print guide, regional canada themed

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GE Plaza (Robson Square)   24 comments

OPEN MARCH 12-21, 2010 GE Plaza at Robson Square features a popular outdoor skating rink, and is the location for the International Media Centre and BC Pavilion during the Games and centrally located at Robson & Howe Streets. Thanks to the generous contribution from General Electric in partnership with the Province of BC, the skating is free and skate rentals are only $3. The rink is open daily from noon to 9 pm.

The revitalization of the ice rink at GE Plaza has brought over 115,000 visitors to Robson Square to enjoy ice skating, concerts, and other special events since it re-opened in late November. Robson Square is the BC’s signature celebration site during the 2010 Winter Games. Live music performances are taking place day and night at this lively centre of activity. The nightly fireworks display are a must see. Check out this video. Just look for the big glass bubbles from street level.

The site is just a 2-minute walk from the Vancouver City Centre Skytrain and Canada Line stations. Click here for directions on how to get there. Check out Daniel's review of this venue by clicking here.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, family-friendly venue, features live music, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, Now Open, open for paralympics, print guide

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LiveCity Downtown   12 comments

OPEN MARCH 12-21, 2010: This site located at Georgia and Beatty will open during both the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will be Vancouver’s version of a downtown “piazza” with a large outdoor screen, daytime interactive school programming, engaging street entertainment, and late-night entertainment. Additional partners and governmental agencies will bring programs and pavilions to complement the site. The site will re-open during the Paralympic period (March 12 through March 21) with a mix of on-screen programming, demonstration sport events and entertainment. Both the Canada and Manitoba pavilions will be on-site. See this link for a full schedule of events and live performances at the LiveCity Vancouver sites! Check out Daniel's review of this venue by clicking here.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, city-oriented, family-friendly venue, features live music, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, late evening activities, open for paralympics, print guide

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Olympic Cauldron   62 comments

LIT FOR THE PARALYMPICS, MAR 12-21, 2010 At the end of the opening ceremonies of Vancouver's Olympic Games, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky jumped in the back of a pickup truck and made his way to Vancouver's waterfront to light up the cauldron. It now shines brightly just east of the new convention centre and has become an instant attraction. Unfortunately, you are only able to see the flame from behind a secure chain link fence. According to VANOC officials, it is a security risk to allow people too close to the flame. If you want a nice photo of the Olympic cauldron (without the chain link fence), VANOC says they will post a few photos you can download off their website vancouver2010.com. If you want directions on how to get there, click here. Check out Daniel's review of this venue by clicking here.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, open for paralympics, print guide

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Royal Canadian Mint Pavilion   51 comments

OPEN MAR 12-21, 2010: Are you curious about how all those Olympic and Paralympic medals are made? Are you collecting all of those special edition 2010 Olympic quarters that are now in circulation? If you answered yes to either of those questions, chances are you may want to drop by the official 2010 Royal Canadian Mint pavilion, which will be located at its NEW location: 350 West Georgia Street in Vancouver, the Vancouver Public Library Central Branch. The Mint is the official supplier of medals for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and will have some of them on display for the public to view. You can also see the Mint's world-famous dollar gold coin and other gold products.

Hours of operation will follow the Library’s schedule of Monday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Continue reading the release from the Mint:

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Tagged: 2010 Venue, activities for children, canadian themed, family-friendly venue, in downtown vancouver, interactive games & fun, kids welcomed, Now Open, open for paralympics, print guide

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Ziptrek Vancouver (Robson Square)   72 comments

OPEN MAR 12-21, 2010: Come and be dazzled at Ziptrek’s latest venture. Perched above the law courts at Robson Square, you will be provided the opportunity to zip over 170 metres (550') across Robson Street. Guests will zip high above the crowds an exhilarating six stories over Vancouver’s iconic downtown core! See photos of the site posted on Ziptrek's website, or click the photo for a larger view.

Check out our video taken Feb. 1st showing the Ziptrek crew testing out the line.

This unique endeavor will provide visitors the opportunity to experience the thrill and exhilaration of ziplining – brought to prominence in North America by Ziptrek’s flagship operation in Whistler. Switching the traditional backdrop of old growth forest, to cityscape, should prove to be an amazing and rare experience. Not to mention the fact it will be taking place at one of the key hubs of Olympic activity! This once-in-a-lifetime experience happens during the Olympics, and best of all it's free! The hours of operation are 10:00 am - 9:00 pm daily. Bring your camera and expect the line-ups to be around the corner! There are no age restrictions, but riders must weigh more than 65 pounds (29.5 kilograms). Organizers say they can accommodate about 1000 people per day. The lineups have been very long since this venue opened up...so be prepared to wait.

Tagged: 2010 Venue, in downtown vancouver, open for paralympics, print guide

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For complete visitor information in Vancouver, visit www.tourismvancouver.com, or yougottabehere.com for BC Tourism information.

If you are aware of a free or low-cost Olympic community related event happening somewhere in Metro Vancouver, please drop us a line at CityCaucus@gmail.com and we'll consider adding it to our growing list. Please include as much information about the event as possible. We hope you enjoy everything the Games has to offer Metro Vancouver and please consider sending a send a link of this page to your friends, family and colleagues. Help us to spread the word!!