U.S. election night parties in Vancouver to capitalize on presidential frenzy

Quite possibly the most buzzed-about election of the decade is just a few short weeks away.

When Americans head to the polling stations on Nov. 8, they won’t be the only ones watching with bated breath to see the results. U.S. election fever has swept through Canada and on election night, political junkies won’t be left without a place to watch the drama go down.

Several establishments in Vancouver will be hosting election night parties, ranging from ticketed events to news coverage screenings. It’s a trend that started with the first three presidential debates which were played at several local pubs.

And Vancouverites are excited.

UBC International Relations alumna Shannen Eikerman is looking forward to the election for several reasons.

“Both of the candidates personify the political, social and cultural polarization that has been bubbling deep within the United States for the past 10 years,” said Eikerman. “I feel like with this election, it’s all started to come to a head. Discourses on gender equality, racial equality and class equality have been pushed more and more to the forefront.”

She added that the impact of social media has made citizens even more aware of the candidate’s personal scandals, which many observers have noted are unprecedented in modern election history.

“It’s like if Fox News turned into Jerry Springer or something.”

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And for many, the historic aspect of having the first woman on the presidential ticket only adds to the excitement.

“There’s a woman running for POTUS in the U.S. for the first time ever, which is dope sheerly from a – not very intersectional – gender equality standpoint,” Eikerman said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's a woman running for POTUS in the U.S. for the first time ever, which is dope sheerly from a - not very intersectional - gender equality standpoint," Eikerman said.

Data from Google Trends shows just how abnormally interested Canadians are in the 2016 election.

The number of search results in October for ‘US election’ has already doubled from October 2012 and 2008 and almost tripled the number of searches from 2004.

If you’re hoping to celebrate the first woman possibly becoming president of the United States, or maybe the first reality TV star, there’s several events to check out.

Where to watch the 2016 U.S. election results in Vancouver

One of the biggest election parties will be the Race for the White House Party at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. Organized by the Pacific Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce in Canada, the event will feature live on-site news coverage, commentary from the Chamber of Commerce panelists, American-themed food, and a Dixieland jazz band.

The ticketed event will also be attended by the U.S. consul general Lynn Platt and unidentified government officials.

For a more relaxed atmosphere, Doolin’s Pub on Granville Street will also be hosting an event with Equal Voice BC. Attendees can expect Ruth Ginsberg colouring sheets, bingo, and election coverage on a large TV screen.

Democrats Abroad, the same organizer who put on three debate night events throughout Vancouver, will also be hosting a pub night at Rogue Wet Bar at Waterfront Station. While the partisan event is targeted toward those leaning left on the spectrum, don’t be surprised if you see a few Trump supporters mulling around.

Politically-engaged university students will likely be checking out Koerner’s Pub at UBC where the Graduate Student Union will be putting on a Craft Untapped Election Night event, mixing craft beer with election coverage.

And last but not least, the Rio Theatre in East Vancouver wants audiences to drown their sorrows while watching live CNN coverage beginning at 9 p.m. (they have another film screening earlier in the evening).

To the naysayers who question why Canadians care so much about this election? Eikerman says it’s only prudent to care about a country we share a border, language, and – to a large degree – values with.

“America, whether we like it or not, has tremendous power and influence economically, politically, culturally across the globe. Their domestic policies have the ability to create global precedent, and they have their fingers in so many pies that their global policies affect almost every country, directly or indirectly.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "America, whether we like it or not, has tremendous power and influence economically, politically, culturally across the globe. Their domestic policies have the ability to create global precedent, and they have their fingers in so many pies that their global policies affect almost every country, directly or indirectly."

Watch below: Will it be Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump for president? The BC Lottery Corporation is now accepting bets on the U.S. Presidential election  Doug Cheng has the details.

5:39 BCLC accepting bets on U.S. election Trump vs. Clinton