My high school band came down from Whitehorse and played at the Yukon pavilion. We stayed at the brand new Fairview Crescent on the UBC campus. I'll never forget hearing the theme song playing over the loudspeakers every morning just before the fair opened for the day. What great memories and what a great time to be a teenager!
I was 16, my mom and I were from Santa Cruz, and took a cruise ship from SF to the Expo...it's so weird to look at this film, it seems so...OLD haha. Do you remember going to the Russian's? What a trip, it was right in the middle of the cold war, and they were walking around with machine guns?
Expo 86 is the event that really put the city on the world map, for better or for worse. As a young teenager working at Expo, it was exciting to meet all these nice tourists from around the world. I remember these american seniors remarking at how clean our sidewalks were and how everyone queued in single file for the buses...LOL. There was a certainly a lot of positive energy in the city and civic pride during those six months. Jimmy Pattison was a very exceptional organizer and he did it for the salary of a dollar.
I worked at Canada Pavilion (on the team that changed the big Cdn flag beside the hockey stick at the "main Expo site", amongst other things)...it really was the best of times. The impact on Vancouver (and really all BC) hasn't been matched since. Fantastic memories, thanks!!
That is a massive flag. I used to live near Flag Chevrolet and a tiny piece of the flag tore off in a wind storm. It ended up landing on and completely covering my car.
@@HistoryOfBritishColumbia Best flagpole memory ... Expo closing celebration ... CBC wanted a long shot of a bagpiper playing from the crow's nest of the flagpole. We "escorted" him up the centre climb-up, harnesses and all...when we got to the top he was too short for CBC's purposes (the railing got in the way). We "secured" him (read: tied) to the flagpole while he stood on a milk-crate (or something equivalently stable). Never will forget that experience!
I relive Expo 86 on my morning commute especially when riding in a vintage Mark1 Skytrain car while admiring the repurposed Expo building at the Kruger Products/Scott Paper plant in New Westminster.
EXPO changed my life for the better. My first job out of college was for EXPO’86 back in 1984-85 as an Jr. Architectural Technician in Site Planning & Design. It really boosted my career - I ended up working in London 🇬🇧 after the fair was finished, and actually never used my staff pass to see the fair because I was so busy working overseas.
The videos of the grounds and pavillions at the end brought back great memories. It is hard to believe that this was 38+ years ago. In May and June, I was one of the musicians who played in various locations both outside and inside. The narrator is correct, we expected a lot of rain but it was exceptionally nice and sunny most of the time. I was a small-city girl and this was my first experience living anywhere bigger than a few hundred thousand people. I stayed at a hostel at what I think is called Jericho Beach. That was a completely new experience for me. As I understand it, the hostel has been cleaned up and modernized since then but back in the 80s, it was definitely a bohemian experience. Given my age, I loved it. Nowadays, I would like more privacy and cleanliness, lol. Even so, all of it was so much fun.
I still remember every word to the theme song. I was only 8 years old that year. Up until recently there were still a couple of the old building frames in Kelowna out past Scandia. The big hockey stick was made in a building on Government St in Penticton. Almost wished it had come back when this was over.
I lived in the Kitsilano neighbourhood during Expo 86, and was there several times a week. It was incredible! The cultural events, the restaurants, the onsite music and the wonderful pavilions. I have very fond memories.
lol same, I was only two and a half to three, but I still get reminded that I couldn’t hold it any longer and evacuated my bladder all over my dad neck and back lol
When the Expo development seriously lagged and was in danger of not being finished in time, Jim Pattison shifted from CEO to also take on the role of President. Without drawing a salary, he cleared out the bureaucracy and presided over a miracle. He put aside his business interests and poured himself into the project. Before the opening, I had the opportunity to tour the executive offices. His office was visible through glass and had a plaque on his desk that said something to the effect of "There is no limit to what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit". He modeled it. And, I never forgot it. For him, this was no vanity project. He pulled off the damn near impossible.
Expo Ernie!!!! I would have been only 2 and a half to three years old, but my earliest memories, (or at least ones I can confidently date within 6 months) are Expo Ernie zooming around, sitting on a concrete motorcycle on that that concert highway or bridge thing, and watching the fireworks from what must have been either the Granville St. bridge or more likely the Cambie St Bridge, as it would have been open for under a year. …I also still get reminded to this day that while we were walking around my dad had me sitting on his neck and…well, when u gotta go u gotta go. 😏
We quite often sit on those yellow seats in white rock promenade on our dog walks. Was saying to my wife the other day how surprisingly well they’ve held up! Considering the constant weather and salt. Another great video!
My father started a business called " artcraft advertising " and landed the contract for all the signage at expo 86. He stayed at work for close to a month straight to make it happen and made a fortune which gave me an amazing childhood. He had a heart attack shortly after and lived. Thanks dad, you are the hardest working guy I've ever known. 👊❤️
Really great film, well done! Expo 86 was a highlight for my entire family as my dad managed the graphics department for Expo 86, and at that time, I remember it was a much needed boost to our economy. Brings back some really amazing memories.
This is brining back a lot of memories. I live in Victoria and went to the Expo four times as a kid. We were at the opening, a couple more times with my parents, and once as a school trip.
My family was there for the Expo '86 and later to Science World! As a kid I also went to Expo '67 in Montreal! As a toddler I attended the Seattle World's Fair in 1962! Look at me...a history maker! 😂 Thanks for this walk down memory lane. 😊
as a kid of 15 at the time, Expo 86 was awesome. had to ditch the slowpoke family in order to see 1/2 the exhibits there over the two days we were there. the GM pavilion was worth the 1 1/2 hour wait to see a holographic story about travel. to see the different cultures from all over the world it was a beautiful sight to behold and made me feel optimistic. i'm 54 now. the last World Expo was i Dubai i believe. thanks for the memories ! who remembers the Peri-Scopes where you could video chat to other stations around the Expo site ?
What a trip down memory lane! I was only at Expo 86 for 3 days, but have fond memories of it, and eating way more McDonalds burgers than I'm was healthy! I still have some Expo memorabilia. Thanks for posting this video!
Thanks for posting this very interesting video. I had an incredible experience working on the Expo site as a part-time tour guide. Our clients were primarily cruise ship passengers. Expo 86 was a turning point for Vancouver that ultimately led to skyrocketing real estate prices.
The ads leading up to said: 'Expect the World!". But frankly, we didn't think that they'd stay! That's when everything turned around in Vancouver, a city I used to love......it was the beginning of the end...............a well done video - great upload....................
Two great friends of mine staged the live entertainment at Expo 86. IE: 86th Street plus the many many stages and external events. These two have staged everyone from KISS to Celine Dion to Johnny Cash. Just before one of them passed away I asked him what event in his lifetime of staging starting in the 70s with Janis Joplin & Blondie etc did he enjoy the most?... TG "Expo 86 of course!"
I'm sure there are some great aspects of Vancouver, but almost all my friends who live there say they can barely afford it anymore, especially their property taxes.............sounds like a comment from someone who never actually lived in Vancouver back in the 70's or early 80s
@@willswitchcraft I've had more than 30 homes in a great many cities including 34 years in Vancouver. In the 80's musicians lived in a metropolis to exploit a city's potential. Having run a variety of businesses requiring constant circumnavigation of Vancouver it's traffic congestion made my life unmaneageable. I realized I wasn't exploiting Vancouver. It was exploiting me. Thank God for the internet and work from home technology. It allowed me to move everything out to a small center. I didn't just leave Vancouver. I ran. Never looked back. Life became managable, cheaper and the air is clean. I threw away that pesky umbrella! For myself leaving was a positive "escape". Woo Woo! ;>}
So envious of everyone who got to go, especially as young people. This looks like peak fun times in Vancouver. I wish they kept some of the art installations around False Creek.
I was 10 years old and sold cold drinks/water in a milk crate on my bike to the workers building the SkyTrain route near my home. Had the pass card and went almost everyday on the new SkyTrain with my cousins. Vancouver was such a sleepy city up until then. Has exploded ever since. Still insane to think Vancouver had its own “Disneyland” for almost one year. Fireworks every single night for 100+ nights too, just unheard of.
Thanks for the memories. My mom was able to purchase discount season passes. We spend many days and nights and had many experiences. Our kids still have their Expo Ernie name tags.
That was a fun video. Brought back memories. I was 11 during Expo 86 and unfortunately only got to go once and to make it worse. As 1 of 6 children we couldn't afford to do much while there.
I went to Expo 86 one day and saw everything. A friend had an extra day pass he kindly gave to me. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gone. I had a good view of the fireworks every night from the dining room window of my Point Gray condo. Sometimes I would shine a laser down that way. As world fairs go, it was small. Twenty years earlier I worked in a bank in Expo 67, in Montréal. It took me all summer to see all the pavilions; and I attended outdoor concerts almost every day. I had also bought a season pass, which was like a passport. At every pavilion or exhibit I had a page stamped. Jimmy Pattison, who managed Expo 86, did an excellent job; keeping it small and saving BC taxpayer's a lot of money.
I have been a resident of Vancouver during my post-secondary years and the legacy of Expo '86 was apparent. As an infant I attended the event (as my parents remind me on occasion). My kids and I enjoy your videos and we've recently worked our way through your back-catalogue. As a Vancouver Islander and Captain with BC Ferries I'm looking forward to your inevitable piece on the history of the fleet (or some component thereof).
Expo 86 was Vancouvers undoing. Up to then it was a hidden jewel on the Pacific. It was clean, un crowded, and affordable. After Vancouver was discovered, it’s overcrowded, expensive and it’s lost it’s charm. To top it off, BC politicians sold the Expo site for $100M then had to spend $50M to clean it up. Li Ka Shing got the best real estate deal in history.
My mom and I went so often while Expo was running 😊 I was 5 and still have vague memories of some exhibits and shows ❤ That bridge with grey vehicles is etched in my brain forever 😂
There should be some mention of the Coquihalla Highway. That was finished just before Expo86. It really helped to improve the connection between Vancouver and the rest of the country.
Its amazing how many years have gone by since Expo 86. I still have memorabilia from that fair. It really put Vancouver on the map as before it was another ho-hum city ready to be born. I was able to attend the last 3 days and it was so crowded that at times you could hardly move through the crowd. Vancouver just hasn't been the same since for exhibits.
Memories. Worked at Boston pizza next to the Expo outdoor theatre. Listened to so many bands play there. Every night was like a festival night. This was the start of Vancouver being a well known city.
@@HistoryOfBritishColumbia I was 7, what a great year to be alive. Though I also understand if you were 19+ some of the nightlife at Expo was pretty epic, too!
I lived in the west end, worked at the flying comedy club, changed Vancouver for ever . We invited the world and they came. The food from other countries was amazing, we would go on site for dinner and then go home .still have my staff pass, on my pin board
I was heavily pregnant when we came down for the summer, and unable to attend the fair as the weather was quite warm. The Abbotsford airshow that year was amazing!
Great video… a couple of other points… 1- (Somebody correct me if I’m wrong), but I believe Jim Pattison took on the role of CEO of expo’86 for $1 2- I recall people saying at the time, it’s the first time since the start of the Cold War that USA and USSR were at the same international event at the same time. 3- and most importantly, despite the theme of this expo being transportation and communication, Vancouver still has the worst road/freeway infrastructure in the developed world. There’s an irony for you! But all in all, I loved expo 86. Great memories. I had a full season pass, and went at least 20 times.
It’s ironic if you interpreted transportation with private automobile travel only. Cities that prioritize cars are not nice places. The USA destroyed almost every city by prioritizing “freeways.” Open Google Maps, type Kansas City (or any other medium size/big city), zoom in on the downtown area and all you will see are parking lots. Go to street view in any area of downtown and you will not see human beings anywhere. All you will see is cars, parking lots, concrete and asphalt and/or massive roads. It’s ugly and depressing.
I have such fond memories of Expo 86. We performed several times a day for over a week in the Kodak pavilion and in parades throughout the whole site as part of my HS marching band over that summer. I still have my Expo 86 shirt, but sadly it must have shrunk sitting in the drawer as it doesn't fit anymore. 😝
What a great history lesson - thank you! Our family had season passes and I went numerous times. So many great memories. I enjoyed 86 Street and the Unicorn too! I do remember the theme song! I was at Expo 1967 in Montreal too, but I was only 2. My parents went to the Spokane one in 1974 too.
I've been looking for photos of the spaceship-themed McDonalds whose spaceship structure now marks the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt. No footage of it here but it was interesting to see the illustration of it in the McDonalds ad, thanks for including that!
My Parents worked at Expo 86 and even got married during it. I remember them telling me about it and i wish i could go back in time to experience it too. My mom worked on the merry-go-round and my dad worked on a hovercraft if i recall correctly. Great video
I drove out from Onterrible with a HS friend. He took advantage of a funny quirk: Molson export beer was advertised everywhere but was not for sale on site. He made a point of ordering it everywhere he could for fun 😂
What a blast. My first full time job after moving out of small town BC. Worked at a chicken place that had Live music at night. Kitchen helper by day and security at night.
That was a fun expo. I still remember the China pavilion that claimed to have an “authentic section of the Great Wall” on display there. Neat! Except when I rapped my knuckles on it, the big stone blocks echoed and were clearly hollow fiberglass. I learned at a young age to take Chinese claims with a grain of salt. Not sure why they were trying to fool everyone, because even a re-creation of the Great Wall was impressive.
I bumped into this video looking for something else, snicker, but what a fun ride this film has been. Yes, crummy video from the period left a lot of this as fuzzy and every bit of it's almost forty years of age. But so goes our memories of those times, and for this old coot, I remember those times the same way. Yes, I remember most of the 1960s as B&W memories ;) We went with a Demon Child so we had a very abbreviated view of all of this, and clearly I missed more than buying a Cuban cigar legally. I go to Van, BC for pleasure now, and I have been itching for an excuse to head up for fun, so I'll thank you for locating my itch~!
Now for some further history. The expo site was also where most of the sawmills back in the day were situated. When they were excavating the expo site they came across interesting stuff. Some of the excavated soil was deposited in Pitt meadows north of lougheed hwy in a soil dump. My father was one of multiple electricians who worked there. His job was to wire the exterior lights on the expo ball (now science world). I was also 8 when my granny took me on the sky train into expo 86 that summer. Little did I realize back then how much of a big deal this event was.
This was before my time but so cool to learn about, especially since I still get to see the remnants today. Like Science World was from this expo? Amazing.
…worked the entire duration of the fair as a guest assistant, i forget our actual title, we’d walk a designated area in sky-blue jackets and light gray slacks and help visitors with directions to exhibits facilities etc as well as manning the gates at opening time to give a little orientation talk and take any questions, that was always fun…and then after it closed joined the house band at The Unicorn, onsite tavern of The Irish Rovers…also worked the Federal Census that year…left in 2007…recent video from the East End and Downtown don’t look inviting…and don’t fool yourself, the mindset and standards are largely still those of 19th century lumber and fisher men…
There were also so many fantastic performances and entertainment there. Michael Lemieux and the Manhattan Transfer were standouts in my mind. I unfortunately missed B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.😢
Sent this video to my mom who worked there and this is what she had to say. "That brought back alot of memories. Recognized alot of stuff and the " Somethings happening here" song was played when they did the laser show and fireworks every night. If I rightly remember, I was paid a whopping $5/ hr because I was in ride Ops. Had a really awful uniform with cullotes with a pale blue Michael Jackson style jacket. I had it for a while before it disappeared."
The Philippines pavilion was pretty much the worst pavilion at Expo 86. I remember an old TV playing black and white Filipino shows and a whole bunch of bamboo. Then you go to the Canada pavilion where they have a flying saucer and moving walls 😂
I was 5 years old which was either too young or too old for some of the attractions so my parents kept telling me to say I was a different age at different times. At one point I had a little bit of a meltdown because I didnt understand that my age wasn't actually changing so my most vivid memory of Expo 86' is standing on the promenade just bawling "how old am I now?" I also remember being super stoked about getting my Expo passport stamped at all of the different pavilions.
I was ~3.5 yrs old, some of my first memories are from Expo - all the grey cars, colour wars movie (pretty scary when you are 3!) and those laminar water jets that jump around
My strange memory of my day at the site are of endless lineups for McBarge and the major pavilions, so we tried a few of the smaller ones instead. One African country (sadly, nearly 40 years later I do not remember which) had a pavilion with a large screen on the floor of footage of the country taken from a balloon (no drones back then) and visitors would climb stairs to view this footage from seats on all four sides. It was clear that despite having a small fraction of the riches of other countries this one had done its very best to present itself as well as it could. The other memory I have was the endless free entertainment one could get by sitting on an Expo bench and watching the interaction of toddlers with H20 UFO, a collection of alien sculptures that attracted little kids on a hot day and made sure to squirt them with water when they were looking elsewhere.
Great video but you failed to mention the BIGGEST impact Expo had on our city; it became unaffordable for locals and within 20 years it had been completely re-populated.
This is by far the best Expo 86 film. Thank you for playing the iconic theme song. Such a great tune!
Such a great compliment! Thank you!
My high school band came down from Whitehorse and played at the Yukon pavilion. We stayed at the brand new Fairview Crescent on the UBC campus. I'll never forget hearing the theme song playing over the loudspeakers every morning just before the fair opened for the day. What great memories and what a great time to be a teenager!
As a 17 year old, the funnest summer a teenager could have asked for. Thanks for sharing and bringing back so many great memories!
I was 16, my mom and I were from Santa Cruz, and took a cruise ship from SF to the Expo...it's so weird to look at this film, it seems so...OLD haha. Do you remember going to the Russian's? What a trip, it was right in the middle of the cold war, and they were walking around with machine guns?
Expo 86 is the event that really put the city on the world map, for better or for worse. As a young teenager working at Expo, it was exciting to meet all these nice tourists from around the world. I remember these american seniors remarking at how clean our sidewalks were and how everyone queued in single file for the buses...LOL. There was a certainly a lot of positive energy in the city and civic pride during those six months. Jimmy Pattison was a very exceptional organizer and he did it for the salary of a dollar.
There was a deficit of 311 million dollars after the Expo. No wonder Expo never returned to North American since 1986.
I had a similar experience with American seniors when I worked at Expo. All sorts of interesting and surprising questions too.
I worked at Canada Pavilion (on the team that changed the big Cdn flag beside the hockey stick at the "main Expo site", amongst other things)...it really was the best of times. The impact on Vancouver (and really all BC) hasn't been matched since. Fantastic memories, thanks!!
That is a massive flag. I used to live near Flag Chevrolet and a tiny piece of the flag tore off in a wind storm. It ended up landing on and completely covering my car.
@@HistoryOfBritishColumbia Best flagpole memory ... Expo closing celebration ... CBC wanted a long shot of a bagpiper playing from the crow's nest of the flagpole. We "escorted" him up the centre climb-up, harnesses and all...when we got to the top he was too short for CBC's purposes (the railing got in the way). We "secured" him (read: tied) to the flagpole while he stood on a milk-crate (or something equivalently stable). Never will forget that experience!
I relive Expo 86 on my morning commute especially when riding in a vintage Mark1 Skytrain car while admiring the repurposed Expo building at the Kruger Products/Scott Paper plant in New Westminster.
Thank you so much for posting this. I was at Expo 86 with my mom. I have so many great memories from that experience.
Me too, I was 16, we were from Santa Cruz and took a ship from SF...it was amazing.
EXPO changed my life for the better. My first job out of college was for EXPO’86 back in 1984-85 as an Jr. Architectural Technician in Site Planning & Design. It really boosted my career - I ended up working in London 🇬🇧 after the fair was finished, and actually never used my staff pass to see the fair because I was so busy working overseas.
The videos of the grounds and pavillions at the end brought back great memories. It is hard to believe that this was 38+ years ago.
In May and June, I was one of the musicians who played in various locations both outside and inside. The narrator is correct, we expected a lot of rain but it was exceptionally nice and sunny most of the time. I was a small-city girl and this was my first experience living anywhere bigger than a few hundred thousand people. I stayed at a hostel at what I think is called Jericho Beach. That was a completely new experience for me. As I understand it, the hostel has been cleaned up and modernized since then but back in the 80s, it was definitely a bohemian experience. Given my age, I loved it. Nowadays, I would like more privacy and cleanliness, lol. Even so, all of it was so much fun.
Wow what a great video!! Brings back memories of the old Vancouver. How times have changed so much when life was so simple and pure back then
I'm glad you enjoyed the video!
I still remember every word to the theme song. I was only 8 years old that year. Up until recently there were still a couple of the old building frames in Kelowna out past Scandia. The big hockey stick was made in a building on Government St in Penticton. Almost wished it had come back when this was over.
It is a great song. I love it as well
I lived in the Kitsilano neighbourhood during Expo 86, and was there several times a week. It was incredible! The cultural events, the restaurants, the onsite music and the wonderful pavilions. I have very fond memories.
Thanks for posting this. I was six years old and i remember being on my dad’s shoulders during the fireworks. This brings me back.
Hey, I was also 6 years old during Expo and remember the closing ceremony fireworks 😄
lol same, I was only two and a half to three, but I still get reminded that I couldn’t hold it any longer and evacuated my bladder all over my dad neck and back lol
Ahhh 16 year old me from 1986 appreciates this, thanks!
I was 16, too!
When the Expo development seriously lagged and was in danger of not being finished in time, Jim Pattison shifted from CEO to also take on the role of President. Without drawing a salary, he cleared out the bureaucracy and presided over a miracle. He put aside his business interests and poured himself into the project. Before the opening, I had the opportunity to tour the executive offices. His office was visible through glass and had a plaque on his desk that said something to the effect of "There is no limit to what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit". He modeled it. And, I never forgot it. For him, this was no vanity project. He pulled off the damn near impossible.
I can’t believe I vividly remember the 86 spaceman.
Expo Ernie!!!! I would have been only 2 and a half to three years old, but my earliest memories, (or at least ones I can confidently date within 6 months) are Expo Ernie zooming around, sitting on a concrete motorcycle on that that concert highway or bridge thing, and watching the fireworks from what must have been either the Granville St. bridge or more likely the Cambie St Bridge, as it would have been open for under a year.
…I also still get reminded to this day that while we were walking around my dad had me sitting on his neck and…well, when u gotta go u gotta go. 😏
Another banger. All the historical footage, proposal scans, research and event photos are flush. Love it.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
@@HistoryOfBritishColumbiaI’ve been looking for a channel like this on UA-cam for a long time.
We quite often sit on those yellow seats in white rock promenade on our dog walks.
Was saying to my wife the other day how surprisingly well they’ve held up! Considering the constant weather and salt.
Another great video!
I sat on them the other day when I did the polar bear swim at the pier! Brings back memories!
Thank you for including the current day price estimates! Love the videos, keep them coming!
I remembered your comment from before and made sure to put that in there :)
@HistoryOfBritishColumbia That's awesome. Thank you! It really does help put things in perspective.
My father started a business called " artcraft advertising " and landed the contract for all the signage at expo 86. He stayed at work for close to a month straight to make it happen and made a fortune which gave me an amazing childhood. He had a heart attack shortly after and lived. Thanks dad, you are the hardest working guy I've ever known. 👊❤️
Did he die?
Really great film, well done! Expo 86 was a highlight for my entire family as my dad managed the graphics department for Expo 86, and at that time, I remember it was a much needed boost to our economy. Brings back some really amazing memories.
This is brining back a lot of memories. I live in Victoria and went to the Expo four times as a kid. We were at the opening, a couple more times with my parents, and once as a school trip.
Also noteworthy is that both America and the Soviet Union participated. Both nations had previously boycotted the other's Olympics.
I remember the Soviet space station, but more importantly remember the huge Watch at the Swiss pavilion and getting chocolate 🍫
The Soviet's were a trip, remember they were all in black with black weapons, but you could tell they were so stoked to be there...
I went there playing in a school band in '86 and I got to see my first concert RUSH !!
Ahhhh I wish I saw Rush during Expo! Power Windows tour!!
That's AWESOME!
My family was there for the Expo '86 and later to Science World! As a kid I also went to Expo '67 in Montreal! As a toddler I attended the Seattle World's Fair in 1962! Look at me...a history maker! 😂 Thanks for this walk down memory lane. 😊
My family also went to expo 86 from Sask, I went too but was still unborn
You didn't do anything
@@joshuataylor3550they attended those expo's. More than you can say.
I was there with you
@@joshuataylor3550 We spent a lot of money!
as a kid of 15 at the time, Expo 86 was awesome. had to ditch the slowpoke family in order to see 1/2 the exhibits there over the two days we were there. the GM pavilion was worth the 1 1/2 hour wait to see a holographic story about travel. to see the different cultures from all over the world it was a beautiful sight to behold and made me feel optimistic.
i'm 54 now. the last World Expo was i Dubai i believe. thanks for the memories ! who remembers the Peri-Scopes where you could video chat to other stations around the Expo site ?
I was also 15. I bought a seasons pass for $90.00. I went 32 times. I loved it. I visited every Pavillion, some several times.
I just turned 16, went from Santa Cruz and took a ship from SF with my mom...it was awesome.
I was there when I was kid.i was so amazed at all countries pavilions.of course the rides were awesome.
I was seven. Thanks for rekindling those memories.
What a trip down memory lane! I was only at Expo 86 for 3 days, but have fond memories of it, and eating way more McDonalds burgers than I'm was healthy! I still have some Expo memorabilia. Thanks for posting this video!
SO much McDonalds haha!
Thanks for posting this very interesting video. I had an incredible experience working on the Expo site as a part-time tour guide. Our clients were primarily cruise ship passengers. Expo 86 was a turning point for Vancouver that ultimately led to skyrocketing real estate prices.
The ads leading up to said: 'Expect the World!". But frankly, we didn't think that they'd stay! That's when everything turned around in Vancouver, a city I used to love......it was the beginning of the end...............a well done video - great upload....................
Two great friends of mine staged the live entertainment at Expo 86. IE: 86th Street plus the many many stages and external events. These two have staged everyone from KISS to Celine Dion to Johnny Cash. Just before one of them passed away I asked him what event in his lifetime of staging starting in the 70s with Janis Joplin & Blondie etc did he enjoy the most?... TG "Expo 86 of course!"
Ah, the great and beloved T.G. R.I.P. (rock in peace)
Don’t be so dramatic. Vancouver is still a great city without negative people like you
I'm sure there are some great aspects of Vancouver, but almost all my friends who live there say they can barely afford it anymore, especially their property taxes.............sounds like a comment from someone who never actually lived in Vancouver back in the 70's or early 80s
@@willswitchcraft I've had more than 30 homes in a great many cities including 34 years in Vancouver. In the 80's musicians lived in a metropolis to exploit a city's potential. Having run a variety of businesses requiring constant circumnavigation of Vancouver it's traffic congestion made my life unmaneageable. I realized I wasn't exploiting Vancouver. It was exploiting me.
Thank God for the internet and work from home technology. It allowed me to move everything out to a small center. I didn't just leave Vancouver. I ran. Never looked back. Life became managable, cheaper and the air is clean. I threw away that pesky umbrella! For myself leaving was a positive "escape". Woo Woo! ;>}
So envious of everyone who got to go, especially as young people. This looks like peak fun times in Vancouver. I wish they kept some of the art installations around False Creek.
Love your videos! Easily the best channel highlighting BC's history.
Thank you for the compliment!
I was 10 years old and sold cold drinks/water in a milk crate on my bike to the workers building the SkyTrain route near my home. Had the pass card and went almost everyday on the new SkyTrain with my cousins. Vancouver was such a sleepy city up until then. Has exploded ever since. Still insane to think Vancouver had its own “Disneyland” for almost one year. Fireworks every single night for 100+ nights too, just unheard of.
I was 10 years old at Expo 86. It was a great time.
Thanks for the memories. My mom was able to purchase discount season passes. We spend many days and nights and had many experiences. Our kids still have their Expo Ernie name tags.
Wow... one of the best videos on Expo 86 I've seen. Digging up this footage couldn't have been that easy!
Thank you!
That was a fun video. Brought back memories.
I was 11 during Expo 86 and unfortunately only got to go once and to make it worse. As 1 of 6 children we couldn't afford to do much while there.
Great video man. Vancouver is my weekend getaway destination. Such a beautiful city today. I learned a lot... thanks man!
I went to Expo 86 one day and saw everything. A friend had an extra day pass he kindly gave to me. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have gone. I had a good view of the fireworks every night from the dining room window of my Point Gray condo. Sometimes I would shine a laser down that way. As world fairs go, it was small. Twenty years earlier I worked in a bank in Expo 67, in Montréal. It took me all summer to see all the pavilions; and I attended outdoor concerts almost every day. I had also bought a season pass, which was like a passport. At every pavilion or exhibit I had a page stamped. Jimmy Pattison, who managed Expo 86, did an excellent job; keeping it small and saving BC taxpayer's a lot of money.
Yeah, I almost forgot about the fireworks. Those were amazing!
0:11 The monorail looks familiar to a MAJOR transit system which opens 1 year before expo 86.... 0:48 2:27 8:31 The *SKYTRAIN* (AKA EXPO LINE)
So many good memories from attending this fair!
I have been a resident of Vancouver during my post-secondary years and the legacy of Expo '86 was apparent. As an infant I attended the event (as my parents remind me on occasion).
My kids and I enjoy your videos and we've recently worked our way through your back-catalogue.
As a Vancouver Islander and Captain with BC Ferries I'm looking forward to your inevitable piece on the history of the fleet (or some component thereof).
Thank you for sharing. I do have plans for a BC Ferry video in the near future. Stay tuned
I worked on the Expo 86 marketing and advance ticket sales team. I started in 1985 and worked until closing day of the Expo…. The best job ever !!!
Expo 86 was Vancouvers undoing. Up to then it was a hidden jewel on the Pacific. It was clean, un crowded, and affordable. After Vancouver was discovered, it’s overcrowded, expensive and it’s lost it’s charm. To top it off, BC politicians sold the Expo site for $100M then had to spend $50M to clean it up. Li Ka Shing got the best real estate deal in history.
My mom and I went so often while Expo was running 😊 I was 5 and still have vague memories of some exhibits and shows ❤ That bridge with grey vehicles is etched in my brain forever 😂
It was named highway 86 and all the vehicles were coated in a grey industrial epoxy type paint.
Thanks for the amazing memories. Hugs from Esquimalt
I was in White Rock admiring the Expo 86 benches just 3 weeks ago!
Some of those Expo 86 benches are in a park beside a playground on Mayne Island, one of our Gulf Islands.
photos! :)
Some of my earliest memories as a child were from Expo 86. It was such an amazing experience that I wish I could relive.
There should be some mention of the Coquihalla Highway. That was finished just before Expo86. It really helped to improve the connection between Vancouver and the rest of the country.
Its amazing how many years have gone by since Expo 86. I still have memorabilia from that fair. It really put Vancouver on the map as before it was another ho-hum city ready to be born. I was able to attend the last 3 days and it was so crowded that at times you could hardly move through the crowd. Vancouver just hasn't been the same since for exhibits.
Memories. Worked at Boston pizza next to the Expo outdoor theatre. Listened to so many bands play there. Every night was like a festival night. This was the start of Vancouver being a well known city.
Great video. Most of my first memories growing up were from the summer of '86 and this was a big reason why.
Same for me. Before 86 my memories are jumbled. I was 10 during Expo
@@HistoryOfBritishColumbia I was 7, what a great year to be alive.
Though I also understand if you were 19+ some of the nightlife at Expo was pretty epic, too!
another great video !! I have such great memories from living here during that time, spent many days at the fair that year. Thanks for sharing !!!
Thank you! I’m looking forward to your videos coming back.
I lived in the west end, worked at the flying comedy club, changed Vancouver for ever . We invited the world and they came. The food from other countries was amazing, we would go on site for dinner and then go home .still have my staff pass, on my pin board
I was 17 and came over from Victoria to attend the fair a couple times. I stayed in my brother's apartment since he was there to be an expo guide.
I was heavily pregnant when we came down for the summer, and unable to attend the fair as the weather was quite warm. The Abbotsford airshow that year was amazing!
Great video… a couple of other points…
1- (Somebody correct me if I’m wrong), but I believe Jim Pattison took on the role of CEO of expo’86 for $1
2- I recall people saying at the time, it’s the first time since the start of the Cold War that USA and USSR were at the same international event at the same time.
3- and most importantly, despite the theme of this expo being transportation and communication, Vancouver still has the worst road/freeway infrastructure in the developed world. There’s an irony for you!
But all in all, I loved expo 86. Great memories. I had a full season pass, and went at least 20 times.
Thanks for adding some bonus content :)
No problem! Thanks for your tireless research on these historical themes. “Tire”-less. Sorry. Inside joke. No tires here.
It’s ironic if you interpreted transportation with private automobile travel only. Cities that prioritize cars are not nice places. The USA destroyed almost every city by prioritizing “freeways.” Open Google Maps, type Kansas City (or any other medium size/big city), zoom in on the downtown area and all you will see are parking lots. Go to street view in any area of downtown and you will not see human beings anywhere. All you will see is cars, parking lots, concrete and asphalt and/or massive roads. It’s ugly and depressing.
no idea that flag pole was from expo 86 wow
I have such fond memories of Expo 86. We performed several times a day for over a week in the Kodak pavilion and in parades throughout the whole site as part of my HS marching band over that summer. I still have my Expo 86 shirt, but sadly it must have shrunk sitting in the drawer as it doesn't fit anymore. 😝
What a great history lesson - thank you! Our family had season passes and I went numerous times. So many great memories. I enjoyed 86 Street and the Unicorn too! I do remember the theme song! I was at Expo 1967 in Montreal too, but I was only 2. My parents went to the Spokane one in 1974 too.
I've been looking for photos of the spaceship-themed McDonalds whose spaceship structure now marks the Lighthouse Pub in Sechelt. No footage of it here but it was interesting to see the illustration of it in the McDonalds ad, thanks for including that!
My Parents worked at Expo 86 and even got married during it. I remember them telling me about it and i wish i could go back in time to experience it too. My mom worked on the merry-go-round and my dad worked on a hovercraft if i recall correctly. Great video
Any truth to the rumor you were conceived on Highway 86?
@trickolas78 Ha nope wasn't born till the 90's and was conceived on a ferry ride from Duke point
Best summer ever!
Another great video, I love the work you do.
Thank you!
I was there on the last day. Stood on the False Creek bridge to watch the last fireworks show.
I still remember standing on the Granville bridge, 6 year old face pressed up against the railing bars, watching the closing ceremony fireworks.
I drove out from Onterrible with a HS friend. He took advantage of a funny quirk: Molson export beer was advertised everywhere but was not for sale on site. He made a point of ordering it everywhere he could for fun 😂
Nice skytrain map!
What a blast. My first full time job after moving out of small town BC. Worked at a chicken place that had Live music at night. Kitchen helper by day and security at night.
That was a fun expo. I still remember the China pavilion that claimed to have an “authentic section of the Great Wall” on display there. Neat! Except when I rapped my knuckles on it, the big stone blocks echoed and were clearly hollow fiberglass. I learned at a young age to take Chinese claims with a grain of salt. Not sure why they were trying to fool everyone, because even a re-creation of the Great Wall was impressive.
Ouch!
I bumped into this video looking for something else, snicker, but what a fun ride this film has been. Yes, crummy video from the period left a lot of this as fuzzy and every bit of it's almost forty years of age. But so goes our memories of those times, and for this old coot, I remember those times the same way. Yes, I remember most of the 1960s as B&W memories ;) We went with a Demon Child so we had a very abbreviated view of all of this, and clearly I missed more than buying a Cuban cigar legally. I go to Van, BC for pleasure now, and I have been itching for an excuse to head up for fun, so I'll thank you for locating my itch~!
I'm glad the video helped locate your itch lol. Thanks for watching!
RIP Vancouver😥
Now for some further history. The expo site was also where most of the sawmills back in the day were situated. When they were excavating the expo site they came across interesting stuff. Some of the excavated soil was deposited in Pitt meadows north of lougheed hwy in a soil dump.
My father was one of multiple electricians who worked there. His job was to wire the exterior lights on the expo ball (now science world). I was also 8 when my granny took me on the sky train into expo 86 that summer. Little did I realize back then how much of a big deal this event was.
I was 14 yrs old at the time. It was so fun going there with my friends.
Just a little too young. Thanks for this!
Remember the BCTV building. That was me pushing buttons behind the glass.
This was before my time but so cool to learn about, especially since I still get to see the remnants today. Like Science World was from this expo? Amazing.
Thank you! Great information!
I worked on building the east gate entrance and first aid station .there was a tunnel we also build under the east entrance
Thanks! I was less than a year old when my folks took me and now I finally know!
Sigh, looks like a world and Vancouver that was so much better, so much hope.
…worked the entire duration of the fair as a guest assistant, i forget our actual title, we’d walk a designated area in sky-blue jackets and light gray slacks and help visitors with directions to exhibits facilities etc as well as manning the gates at opening time to give a little orientation talk and take any questions, that was always fun…and then after it closed joined the house band at The Unicorn, onsite tavern of The Irish Rovers…also worked the Federal Census that year…left in 2007…recent video from the East End and Downtown don’t look inviting…and don’t fool yourself, the mindset and standards are largely still those of 19th century lumber and fisher men…
Such a beautiful time in my life I was 24 Years old.
I was there! I was pretty young so I don’t remember much. I do remember dancing with a robot tho 😊
I love your videos
Thank you!
@@HistoryOfBritishColumbia My grampa worked for GM Motors and got a box in bc place to watch the closing ceremony
I remember the song “Take My Breath Away” from Top Gun was playing non stop that summer.
What does that have to do with Expo 86? Please keep on topic
@ yes boss 🫡
Had my Expo 86 "passport" in my hand just a couple days ago, had the seasons pass and went there many times, mostly by Skytrain.
There were also so many fantastic performances and entertainment there. Michael Lemieux and the Manhattan Transfer were standouts in my mind. I unfortunately missed B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan.😢
I enjoyed the Switzerland pavilion the most.
Sent this video to my mom who worked there and this is what she had to say.
"That brought back alot of memories. Recognized alot of stuff and the " Somethings happening here" song was played when they did the laser show and fireworks every night.
If I rightly remember, I was paid a whopping $5/ hr because I was in ride Ops. Had a really awful uniform with cullotes with a pale blue Michael Jackson style jacket. I had it for a while before it disappeared."
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing
Folklife Village on Gabriola Island and the giant hockey stick that used to be in Duncan were exhibits during this
The Philippines pavilion was pretty much the worst pavilion at Expo 86. I remember an old TV playing black and white Filipino shows and a whole bunch of bamboo. Then you go to the Canada pavilion where they have a flying saucer and moving walls 😂
I was 5 years old which was either too young or too old for some of the attractions so my parents kept telling me to say I was a different age at different times. At one point I had a little bit of a meltdown because I didnt understand that my age wasn't actually changing so my most vivid memory of Expo 86' is standing on the promenade just bawling "how old am I now?" I also remember being super stoked about getting my Expo passport stamped at all of the different pavilions.
Would love if you could talk about the history of port kells and how it wound up as an industrial wasteland
Funnest summer of my life. Was a cocktail waitress in the comedy night club, called the flying club
I was ~3.5 yrs old, some of my first memories are from Expo - all the grey cars, colour wars movie (pretty scary when you are 3!) and those laminar water jets that jump around
The Colour Wars movie at the CP pavilion was one of my favourites at Expo
“Rainbow War” is the name if you’re trying to find it on UA-cam. Totally awesome at the time, with long lines, worth the wait.
we have jim patison 2 thank 4 this smart man
My strange memory of my day at the site are of endless lineups for McBarge and the major pavilions, so we tried a few of the smaller ones instead. One African country (sadly, nearly 40 years later I do not remember which) had a pavilion with a large screen on the floor of footage of the country taken from a balloon (no drones back then) and visitors would climb stairs to view this footage from seats on all four sides. It was clear that despite having a small fraction of the riches of other countries this one had done its very best to present itself as well as it could. The other memory I have was the endless free entertainment one could get by sitting on an Expo bench and watching the interaction of toddlers with H20 UFO, a collection of alien sculptures that attracted little kids on a hot day and made sure to squirt them with water when they were looking elsewhere.
Great video but you failed to mention the BIGGEST impact Expo had on our city; it became unaffordable for locals and within 20 years it had been completely re-populated.