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INTERNATIONAL,
PROVINCIAL
& STATE
PAVILIONS
British
Columbia
PLAZAS, PUBS
& ENTERTAINMENT
Labatt's
Expo Theatre
Pacific
Station
Plaza
of Nations
Unicorn
Pub
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BRITISH
COLUMBIA
PAVILION
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British
Columbia's exhibits
consisted of three buildings and several outdoor venues.
West of the
Plaza of Nations,
the Challenge B.C. building was dedicated to B.C. industry. To
the
East, Discovery B.C. paid tribute to the spirit of innovation and high
technology. Showcase B.C. was an entertainment complex. Two
waterfront areas exhibited British Columbia's unique maritime heritage.
The main
pavilion, built
primarily of steel and glass, was designed as a post-modern tribute to
the Crystal Palace built in London's Hyde Park for the first World's
Fair
in 1851.
The
entrance to Discovery BC was accessed through a transplanted temperate
rain forest. The tall Hemlock, Fir and Spruce trees were a shady
retreat
during the hot summer queues. The first exhibit inside mirrored
the
forest. As the visitor entered, it was clear that the
cathedral-like
glass structure made a perfect greenhouse for the indigenous plants.
Native
wood carvings welcomed visitors to the natural wonders of British
Columbia
exhibit. This area was not simply a visual experience but an
attempt
to show visitors the mystical beauty of British Columbia and how the
landscape
spawned wondrous Native legends. Next were the Trees of
Discovery.
These exhibit towers took visitors (via elevated floor) on a vertical
ride.
Each of the four towers showcased innovations of the past and possible
inventions of the future. The fourth "Tree of Discovery" housed a
simulated rescue operation as if the visitor was inside a submersible.
After a walk through an array of stationary exhibits and art works, the
visitor to this pavilion was then treated to a film.
On
the other side of the Plaza of Nations in Challenge B.C.'s pre show, a
seemingly typical and quiet warehouse exploded into action as
electronic
wizardry and live performances combined to create a humorous tribute to
British Columbia's workers. The main show consisted of a
panoramic
tripple-screen theatre portrayed the lifestyle and dreams of British
Columbians
working in the Natural Resource sector.
Showcase B.C.
housed several
cabarets.
Outside,
lumberjacks from
across Canada and the U.S. showed off their skills in a highly amusing
competition. The timber show is a traditional Canadian favourite.
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