| 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.
Full Disclosure: At the time this article was written, Wendy Bumgardner served as volkssport advisor and volunteer for the event. Since 1999, she has served as president of the non-profit organization that hosts the event.
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
