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Party with a purpose at Victory Square

The young, the old, the rich, the poor, the hipsters and the rockers mingled at Victory Square for an afternoon of music, food, art, and information

Downtown Eastside Fair in the Square 2015
Even the youngest volunteers offered free cupcakes. Photo: Valentina Ruiz Leotaud.

They came from all over the Downtown Eastside for the free 2,500 hamburgers and cupcakes on Sunday May 31 at Victory Square.

People who work and live in the area gathered for an afternoon of free food, music, art and information at the Fair in the Square 2015, an annual event organized by VCC and Central City Foundation.

Chef Colin Gill, head of the Department of Culinary Arts at Vancouver Community College, was running from one corner of Victory Square to the other, making sure that every attendee was properly served. And they were; some three dozens of volunteers -- many of them Gill's students -- made sure that nobody was left without lunch, sweets, fruits, or drinks. 

Neighbours were encouraged to share their ideas for improving the area not only in terms of infrastructure, but also when it comes to fostering better relations among themselves.

About 20 organizations that work in the area set up stands to help inform people about available low-cost or free services. From the Women's Centre and its access to health care and STI prevention programs, to the Kinbrace initiative that offers refugees housing and support, many NGOs were actively reaching out to the most needed.

Cupckes prepared by students from the Culinary Arts Program at VCC

Chef Colin Gill, head of the Department of Culinary Arts at VCC

Students from VCC prepared 1,500 hamburgers with ingredients donated by Gordon Food Services (GFS).

  

Neighbours sharing food.

Rossi Gang, a grease band from Vancouver's Eastside.

Children made art.

M'Girl presented their percussive based Aboriginal hand drum songs.

Academie Duello gave some swordplay lessons.

Children from Project Limelight danced the "Uptown Funk."

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