Richmond Cranberries Create Unique Tribute to 2010 Games

RICHMOND, British Columbia, Feb. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- A spectacular tribute to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games from Richmond's agricultural community has been unveiled in Brighouse Park, immediately adjacent to the Richmond O Zone, the City's official site of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Thirteen million floating cranberries, weighing about 13,600 kilograms (30,000 pounds), have been formed into an image of the Canadian Olympic Committee's iconic logo which features a maple leaf, torch and the Olympic rings.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/richmondrevealed/42126/

(Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100212/MM53220 )

"Richmond was determined to make a bold and spectacular contribution to the challenge from the Canadian Olympic Committee to 'Paint The Town Red' in support of our Canadian athletes," said Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "At the same time, we've been able to proudly showcase to the world one of the many things that make Richmond unique -- in this case our agricultural heritage, proudly represented by our cranberry growers."

The innovative tribute to the Games is 73 metres long by 58 metres wide (240 by 190 feet) or more than 4,200 square metres (46,000 square feet) in total area. It will remain on display throughout the 2010 Games.

"This installation conveys our passion as farmers, and shows our excitement in having Richmond serve as a Venue City for the Winter Games," said Dan Keefer, representing Richmond's cranberry growers, who collectively worked with the City to create the innovative display. "It's also a great opportunity to spot light the cranberry to visitors from all over the world as more people worldwide are discovering the taste, versatility and health promoting properties of the wonder berry."

"When we launched Paint the Town Red last fall we knew we had something great but we never envisioned this," said Michael Chambers, president of the Canadian Olympic Committee. "The City of Richmond has embraced our campaign and this cranberry logo is an incredible manifestation of the support of Canadians for our Canadian Olympic Team.  I would like to thank the City of Richmond and the cranberry growers for their creativity, I know the athletes will gain inspiration from this throughout the Games."

Originally planned for the display in front of the Richmond Olympic Oval, extreme river currents and a concern for crew safety prompted the relocation.  In the spirit of the Olympic Games, often defined by the refusal to give up, the new location puts the display right in the heart of 2010 activities.

"As farmers we know that Mother Nature has a mind of her own, so we're always adjusting to the forces of nature," added Keefer.  "We are excited to share this creation with Richmond and visitors from around the world interested in learning more about our city and the industry my family has spent more than 40 years supporting."

Richmond is the heart of Canada's cranberry country. Cranberries represent the largest agricultural crop in Richmond, and Richmond is the largest producer of cranberries among all cities in Canada with more than 60 family-owned farms.

"We have a unique opportunity as an Olympic Venue City to showcase Richmond's culture, resources and ingenuity, said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. "The combination of the installation at Brighouse Park and the harvest display in City Hall's channel gardens is an amazing opportunity to celebrate our leading agricultural crop."

In addition to the large cranberry installation at Brighouse Park, the water feature at Richmond City Hall will also be filled with thousands of ruby cranberries. Visitors will have an opportunity to meet some of Richmond's third and fourth generation Richmond cranberry growers who will offer their time and don waders -- outside of the traditional harvest season -- to share stories of the harvest from the City Hall bog, February 13-21.

The cranberry installation is part of Richmond Revealed, a series of visual spectacles that are celebrating the diverse commerce, culture and heritage of Richmond and showcasing it to the world during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. For more information on Richmond Revealed visit www.richmond.ca/richmondrevealed.

SOURCE City of Richmond