British Columbia is the sum of its
regions, and the B.C. Pavilion would
not be complete without a tribute to
each.

So the exhibit designers decided
to devote an entire area of
Discovery B.C. to the nine tourism
areas of the province. This is the
Marketplace of the Regions — a

:, 150 square metre showcase of B.C.
history, culture and tourist attrac-
tions on the main floor of the
building.

Visitors to the Marketplace will
foam through a cleverly con-
structed web of mock-ups of
regional landmarks while a troupe
of actors performs historical
vignettes.

Each regional ‘set’ is a
simulated construction of a typical
landmark. The Cariboo set, for ex-
ample, is the front porch of a
general store with life-size
sculptures of a dude and a cowboy
in front.

To determine what shouid be i in

{he sets, exhibits designers carried
out extensive research i in the actual
tegions.

“We went through local
newspapers to identify i issues, and
concerns in the regions,” says Bob
Mckay, Director of Exhibit Design.

26 - Wednesday, January 29, 1986 - North Shore News

.C. PAVILION: SHOWCASE FOR THE REGIONS

“We interviewed community
leaders, groups and M.L.A.s
everywhere. Then we tested that in-
formation against regional tourism
directors and other people that we
knew.”

That represented three months

of research, after which staff
travelled through every region to
find specific details.
“For instance, one of the major
‘eatures of the Peace River set
came from our interest in the
Alaska Highway truck stops and
some of the crazy characters who
travel the highway,"’ says McKay.
“We made contact with these peo-
ple and the exhibit came from those
conversations.'' The Peace
River/Alaska region is characteriz-
ed'by..‘May's Kitchen" a typical
truck stop in the area.

The Kootenay region afso re-

_ quired considerable research. ‘‘We

call it the Home of the Champions
and the theme has to do with ski-
ing prowess of that area. The set is
the starting gate for the downhill
course at Red Mountain and it
shows the gate a split second after
the racer comes oul."

Wail murals will form backdrops
for these sets. ‘The murals are
teally roadmaps," explains Susan
Baker, an architect with the firm of

A roadside motif will colour the Marketplace of the Regions — an
exhibit area dedicated to the nine tourism areas of the province.

Several stage areas will be
available at the B.C. Pavilion for
special events and performances
by performers from communities
throughout the province.

This is the Regional Weeks Pro-
gram — achance for communities
within the nine tourist regions 10
stage their acts at the Plaza of Na-
tions and a 200-seat bandshell near
the main pavilion.

Over 1,100 community groups
and performers responded to the
B.C. Pavilion's invitation to share its
world stage. Because only 300 of

these can be accommodated, the
best are presently being selected
by audition. Up to 30 of the best
acts from each area will finally be
chosen.

Professional entertainment will
also be featured at the B.C.
Pavilion. During the peak summer
months of Expo the finest B.C. per-
formers will entertain nightly at the
Plaza of Nations. Fashion shows,
special kids’ shows and high-tech
“theme” presentations will also be
staged regularly.

Baker McGarva. “If we're showing
Highway No. 1, for example, we
have to show it so a person who
has never been to British Columbia
can get a feeling of the landscape
and geography.”

Some of the murals will feature
animated models depicting the
myths or wildlife of each region.

Among the more interesting ot
these animatronics is an Ogopogo
whose coils appear in Okanagan
Lake. Mountain goats, cows and
killer whales also appear.
Vancouver playwright John Gray
will stage musical shows in the
Marketplace area. Titled Legends,
Rhymes, Peculiar Times, these will

be a series of tall tales from writ-
ten and oral history of B 7. A total
of 18 will be mounted a: different
times on or near the stage sets.
These sketches featuring B.C.'s:
well-known characters and

fascinating history are sure to
delight visitors to the Regional
Marketplace.

ETOSHOWCASE

BRITISH

he B.C. Pavilion’s Regional
Events Program is an exciting
awd Opportunity for each region to
showcase its unique character through
special events and performances
on site at Expo 86.

Theatre groups, musicians,
dancers, community per-
formers, athletes — hundreds
of British Columbians will be
prometing their regions while
entertaining audiences from
around the world.

OLUMBIA.

B.C. Pavilion staff are working with
communities throughout the Province to
create regional themes and audition
performers. More than 3,500 British
Columbians are expected to
be involved in this exciting
program. The B.C. Pavilion
is proud to be the showcase
for these events. It will be
our time to share with the
world the special character
of British Columbia.

Our time to shine.

The Honourible Don Phillips, Minister Responsible,