A British Invasion in White Rock
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
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STEVE McVITTIE
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SURREY - On September 8, the White Rock Business Improvement Association (BIA), promoted for the first time a British Invasion celebration in the city. The BIA organized the celebration to recognize the contribution and influence that the Irish, English, Scottish and Welsh have made to the history of British Columbia, and in particular to the City of White Rock.
September 8 was a brilliant, sunny, autumn day and British flags and bunting were on display all over the main street. The celebration included British food and entertainment with a ferris wheel for rides. The event was more of a giant block party and took place in the Central Plaza along Johnston Road and North Bluff Road.
Unfortunately, when we arrived at 3:30 PM many of the booths had already been dismantled.
We did drop in to The Celtic Treasure Chest and spoke with owner Steve McVittie who is a director of the BIA and one of the main organizers for the British Invasion celebration.
Steve said that he was pleased with the overall crowd that turned out to celebrate the day, but as with many first year adventures, there are always improvements that can be made for the next year. So, watch for more information about the British Invasion in White Rock in 2008.
Steve McVittie is indeed a busy man with two locations of The Celtic Treasure Chest, one on Dunbar Street in Vancouver and the other on Foster Street in White Rock.
The Celtic Treasure Chest carry a full line of English, Irish and Scottish groceries, imported directly from the U.K. At the White Rock location they have their own bakery which also supplies the Dunbar location with all the specialty Celtic breads.
For the past four years, Steve has also been the parade marshal at the St. Patrick's Day parade in downtown Vancouver. The parade is in conjunction with the week-long annual CelticFest celebrations.
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