DTES Community Programs

The Powell Street Festival Society’s Advocacy and Outreach Committee host a series of year round events which incorporate capacity building opportunities for peers, distribution of food and useful resources for DTES residents, and cultural activities and prompts which share Japanese Canadian history and culture. 

Asahi Tribute Game

Fall DTES Programming

The Vancouver Asahi was a Japanese Canadian baseball team that played in the Powell Street area from 1914 to 1941 until internment forcibly removed all Japanese Canadians from the coastline. The success and achievements of the team have since been recognised with the induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2003 and the BC Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

In 2005, the Annual Vancouver Asahi Tribute Game was founded to celebrate the Vancouver Asahi’s contribution to the sport of baseball and to recognise their impact on the history of Canada, human and citizenship rights, and community-building. The Asahi Tribute Game is a free, inclusive, and family-friendly place to play ball, eat hot dogs, and come together for some end-of-summer fun!

In 2020 and 2021, the Annual Asahi Tribute Game was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In lieu,  PSFS screened the feature film The Vancouver Asahi at the DTES Heart of the City Festival and partnered with VJLSJH/Atira’s Respite Space in the Japanese HallTo add to the festivities, PSFS distributed popcorn and origami baseball cap art prompts! A heartfelt thank you to Grace Eiko Thomson for providing access to the film. Click to enjoy our Asahi Tribute- Origami Baseball Cap Prompt

13th Annual Asahi Tribute Game

August 18, 2018 10 am to 2 pm at Oppenheimer Park (400 block Powell Street) on the unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), and mi ce:p kwətxwiləm (Tsleil-Waututh)

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12th Annual Asahi Tribute Game

12th Annual Asahi Tribute Game August  19, 2017 10 am to 4 pm at Oppenheimer Park (400 block Powell Street) on the unceded territories of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam),

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Hanami Cherry Blossom Picnic

Spring DTES Programming

Hanami is our annual spring event to celebrate the cherry blossom season. Each year we present a different cultural offering in addition to a free community Japanese curry lunch. 

Minori Harvest

Winter DTES Programming

Minori (実り) Harvest is an annual event to celebrate the harvest season and honour the history of Japanese Canadian farmers in BC. We partner with local farmers to source fresh produce to cook and distribute a free miso butternut squash soup. There will also be thematic cultural programming activities throughout the day, in which we celebrate the delicious abundance of autumn with our DTES community! Click to enjoy our Minori Harvest Pumpkin Origami Prompt!

Minori Harvest Event 2021

Minori (実り) Harvest at Oppenheimer Park An annual PSFS event to celebrate the harvest season and honour the history of Japanese Canadian farmers in BC On November 28, we held

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– Festival Archives

– Thank you for a successful Festival 2023!