| Vancouver Discovery Walk Festival |
| Event Review 1998 |
Vancouver, Washington was the destination
for hundreds of walkers from around the world this weekend for the second annual
International Two-Day Vancouver Discovery Walk Festival. Walkers earned International
Marching League and IVV volkssport credit for the event while enjoying great trails and
meeting new friends.
The festival began on Friday afternoon with the
Vancouver Mayor's 5K/10K walk. Mayor Royce Pollard donned the red festival volunteer
T-shirt to join the walkers. Walkers enjoyed the Renaissance Trail along the Columbia
River, then toured through the wooden stockade of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
Vancouver was explored by Lewis and Clark and became the center of the fur trade in the
Northwest. Walkers continued on to Pearson Air Museum, where the first trans-polar flight
two Russian aviators came to a successful end. Then on to Officers Row with elegant
military housing and lemonade served on the porch of the gracious Grant House.
Boy Scouts awaited the walkers as they passed
through Esther Short Park. Falling in behind the Mayor, AVA President Ted Ballman and
Mayor's Walk chairman Margie Bickford, the Scouts carried flags of the International
Marching League nations, the city of Vancouver, and the IML.
The vanguard
walked to the DoubleTree Hotel at the Quay, the headquarters of the Discovery Walk, and
entered to fanfare. The Scouts posted the flags and presented a historic flag display of
the flags of the United States of America. Mayor Pollard and Discovery Walk Chairman Bill
Byrd welcomed the guests, sponsors and walkers, and especially thanked the Soroptomists
who sponsored the Opening Ceremonies.
Visiting walkers
included Dr. Shinshiro Ebashi, President of the Pan-Pacific Marching League and the
Japanese Walking Association. Walkers arrived from Japan, Germany, Holland, Belgium,
Australia, Great Britain, Canada, and over 20 different states. The unit of German
military officer candidates from Munich marched in full gear while singing their marching
songs.
Celtic Pride
entertained the finishing walkers with music from Scotland and Ireland, as well as old
favorites "Rose of San Antone," "Ain't Misbehavin'," and "Red,
Red Wine." Tom and Marie Tevin, the duo who are Celtic Pride, are longtime favorites
of walkers in Oregon. Walkers settled in to the entertainment and could purchase a light
dinner and drinks.
Over 400 walkers participated in the Mayor's Walk. While
the day was showery, their were only a few light sprinkles during the walk and everyone
was ready for the main events on Saturday and Sunday.
Next >> Saturday: Lewis and Clark Walk
Next >> Sunday: Lt. Broughton Walk and Closing Ceremonies
Back >> 1997 Vancouver Discovery Walk Report
