Arts & Culture

The walk of the Dragon 2026

Published 4:58 PDT, Mon July 20, 2026

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The walk of the Dragon 2026

Hundreds of participants gathered at Stanley Park on July 19th for the SUCESS Foundation’s 41st Walk of the Dragon an event that aimed to raise $425,000 to support underfunded community services that help support children, youth families, women, seniors and people in crisis. Participants walked alongside the events signature 100-foot dragon while enjoying a day of entertainment and community activities.

The SUCESS Foundation was first founded in 1973 and is one of the largest social services that promote the belonging, wellness and independence of people at all stages of their Canadian language journey. The first ever Walk of the Dragon event took place in 1986 at Stanley Park and now plays a big part in raising funds needed to support community services every year.

This year’s theme was “stride for every generation”, the theme emphasized supporting individuals regardless of their generation, as SUCCESS CEO Queenie Choo stated “The theme reflects our commitment to standing beside individuals and families at every stage of life.” The fundraising goal of $425,000 will allow SUCCESS to help many families and individuals. As Foundation Board Chair Brandon Hui explained “Our goal of raising $425,000 is not simply about a number...It is about stewarding support into programs that create lasting impact for individuals and families across generations” His remarks reinforced this year’s theme and highlighted the importance of the event.

The event took place outdoors at Lumberman’s Arch and featured a scenic 7km walk (along the seawall) or 3km walk (along the lost lagoon) alongside the infamous 100-foot dragon. Participants also enjoyed cultural performances and family-friendly activities. Activities before the walk included: Live entertainment, music, giveaways, and even a kid’s zone. Festivities continued after the walk, giving participants and their families more opportunities to celebrate together.

To help registered participants travel to the event, the SUCCESS Foundation partnered with Translink to provide complimentary compass tickets on a first come, first serve basis. Participants used these tickets to travel to Waterfront Station, where free shuttle busses between Waterfront Station and Stanley Park, transported them to the venue. The shuttle bus that went from Waterfront station to Stanley Park was running from 7:10am to 9:10am while the bus from Stanley Park to Waterfront Station was operating from 11:55am to 2pm. These services made it easier for participants to attend the event while reducing the need to drive and find parking.

To encourage fundraising, participants who reached eligible donation milestones by 9am on July 19th were entered into prize draws as part of the event’s fundraising incentive program. Those who were unable to attend the walk could still support the campaign through local restaurant partnerships. At Kokoro Mazesoba from July 17-21st, customers who said “SUCCESS” when ordering a meal had a portion of their purchase donated to support SUCCESS community programs. On July 14, 16 and 19 customers at Nine Dumplings Robson Public Market also contributed to the campaign as a portion of the proceeds from participating sales was donated. These initiatives gave individuals multiple ways to support the cause, whether they participated in the walk or simply visited one of the restaurant partners.

As the Walk of the Dragon concluded for its 41st year, organizers hoped that the event would continue brining the community together in support of the programs that benefit people of all ages. CEO Queenie Choo described the event as “a collective act of care and a powerful expression of what we can achieve together” whether participants walked in the event or supported one of the fundraising initiatives, every contribution helped strengthen the services that families and individuals rely on.

If you are looking for more info about the SUCCESS Foundation and it’s programs, visit: https://successfoundation.ca/