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January 19, 2023 (Vancouver, BC) – A free two-day, all-ages festival celebrating the ocean featuring Alan Doyle, The Beaches, Steven Page, Shad, Delhi 2 Dublin, Ruby Waters, The Boom Booms with Ta’Kaiya Blaney, Yves Lambert Quartet, the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy, Chinook SongCatchers and more is coming to Jack Poole Plaza February 3-4. The Ocean Festival, presented by the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), will feature live music, art, films, storytelling, interactive displays and activities to connect people in Canada to the vibrant marine wildlife and ecosystems of the Arctic, Atlantic, and Pacific coasts, and raise awareness about the importance of strongly protecting the global ocean for generations to come.

The Ocean Festival is a free public celebration presented alongside IMPAC5, a gathering of marine protected areas professionals from around the world who will chart the course for future ocean protection running February 3-9 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. In addition to performances by a diverse roster of top artists, the Ocean Festival will feature programming to educate and inspire all ages about the global ocean, with plenty of family-friendly activities designed to strengthen connections to the sea. Head to the Festival stage to enjoy live entertainment, learn about the importance of strong ocean conservation via interactive exhibits and installations, and grab a bite from one of several on-site food trucks. Inclement weather won’t put a damper on activities: nearly all installations will be covered and heated, including a 40×80 foot viewing tent directly in front of the main stage. 

WHAT TO EXPERIENCE AT THE OCEAN FESTIVAL

LIVE MUSIC – Enjoy free entertainment from a wide range of diverse talent on the main stage.

• Dates: February 3-4, 2023 
• Location: Jack Poole Plaza 
• Cost: Free
• Daily entertainment schedule:
  • Friday, February 3 Lineup:
    • 5:30pm – Old Soul Rebel
    • 7:15pm – Delhi to Dublin
    • 8:20pm – Alan Doyle
    • Special performances by the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy
  • Saturday, February 4 Lineup:
    • Afternoon performances by the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy 
    • 1:15pm – Storytelling of the Orca Chief by Roy Henry Vickers, musical performance by the Chinook SongCatchers
    • 2:00pm – The Wilds
    • 2:40pm – Danny Michel
    • 3:25pm – Yves Lambert Quartet
    • 4:15pm – The Boom Booms with Ta’Kaiya Blaney
    • 5:10pm – Ruby Waters
    • 6:05pm – Shad
    • 7:10pm – Steven Page
    • 8:15pm – The Beaches 

ON-SITE PLAZA ACTIVITIES – Ocean Education brought to you by the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Parks Canada, and more. 

• Dates: February 3, 2023 3pm – 8pm, February 4, 2023 12pm – 8pm.
• Location: Jack Poole Plaza
• ​​​​​​​Cost: Free
• Highlights:
  • Sacred Journey Traveling Exhibit: In this mini pop-up exhibit teaser (full exhibit at Science World), discover how the Tribal Canoe Journeys have catalyzed the revitalization of Indigenous culture, community healing, and youth empowerment on the Pacific Northwest Coast. Immerse yourself into this amazing journey – told through metaphoric art, immersive audio, projections, and interactive displays featuring Indigenous Water Guardians videos. Presented by Heiltsuk Tribal Council, Green Coast Media, Science World, and the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition.
  • Water Rangers: When it comes to protecting water, we need all hands on deck. Come visit the Water Rangers tent to learn how you can help collect much-needed water quality data! With easy-to-use scientific equipment and fun experiments for all ages, you’ll learn how to help scientists gather critical information about water health. 
  • Storytelling of the Orca Chief by Roy Henry Vickers, musical performance by the Chinook SongCatchers: For more than 20 years The Chinook SongCatchers represented the rich cultures of the Squamish and Nisga’a people through song, dance and public speaking to audiences in Canada, Japan, Taiwan and across Europe. Order of Canada recipient Roy Henry Vickers is an award-winning Indigenous artist, author and storyteller whose artworks are celebrated around the world.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES – Children of all ages will be entertained and delighted by several interactive activity tents and photo ops. 

• Dates: February 3, 2023 3pm – 8pm, February 4, 2023 12pm – 8pm.
• Locations: Jack Poole Plaza
• Cost: Free
• ​​​​​​​Highlights: 
  • Giant Pacific Octopus art installation: an interactive and collaborative art project for all ages! Come take part in an onsite art installation of the Giant Pacific Octopus. We are asking YOU to express your hopes and dreams for the ocean by participating in the build and design of this amazing art installation. Presented by the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition.
  • Interactive Ocean Floor Map: This giant floor map (8m x 11m) is made for walking on, allowing you to understand the ocean and waterways by physically experiencing them! Augmented Reality, 360° video, and other interactive activities will help bring this giant map to life. Presented by the Canadian Ocean Literacy Coalition, Ocean School, and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
  • Join the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Ocean Wise, and conservation organizations from all three coasts in the CPAWS Dive into Ocean Conservation Tent for family-friendly, ocean-themed activities and to find out how Canada is protecting our majestic wildlife and ecosystems to ensure a bright, blue future for generations to come.
  • Photo moments: Come and take your photo with the Parks Canada Giant Inflatable Beaver featured at the Vancouver Olympic Opening Ceremonies and Baleen, the humpback whale. Presented by Parks Canada and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.
  • Kids Art Zone: Enjoy children’s face painting from 12pm – 6pm and ocean themed colouring pages inspired by Vancouver Mural Festival artists on February 4. 
  • Build-A-Whale: The hands-on, all-ages activity allows participants to assist in constructing the skeleton of an offshore killer whale while learning about the biology, ecology, anatomy, evolution, and conservation of killer whales and other marine mammals. 
  • Royal Canadian Navy: Come enjoy ocean-inspired music from the Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy along with a special appearance of the Navy Bus featuring interactive computer systems showcasing the Navy’s many roles.
  • Food Trucks: Grab a bite, a hot chocolate, or some mini donuts! Featuring Green Coast Coffee, Cravings Kettle Corn, Little oOties Mini Doughnuts, Shameless Buns, Urban Wood Fire Pizza, Taco ‘N Todo, B&B Burgers, and Teriyaki Express.

Visit www.IMPAC5.ca/ocean-festival and follow IMPAC5 on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) for the latest updates and details. 

About IMPAC5 
From 3-9 February 2023, the world’s leading ocean conservation professionals will meet in Vancouver, Canada to chart a course towards protecting 30 percent of the global ocean by 2030. The Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) will bring together ocean conservation professionals and high-level officials to inform, inspire, and act on marine protected areas. IMPAC5 will be jointly hosted by the Host First Nations—xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-waututh Nation)—together with the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Alongside the Congress, IMPAC5 will feature a number of exciting components, including the Ocean Festival. 

Media Assets:
Link to Ocean Festival media photos 

Media Contact: 
Ruby Gillett I Milk Creative Communications I E: [email protected] I T: 647-704-6786