beyondBeijing2008.com

VANCOUVER – To the tune of a rainbow-clad band, as well as recordings of ‘80s classics like Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night,” protesters got their anti-Olympic message out in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery hours before Friday’s opening ceremony.

The carnival-like atmosphere was marked by placards with messages such as “Wasted $$$$$ Could Have Ended Homelessness” and “Green Games?” and “Corporate Greed.” Given the setting in front of the art gallery, others took a more humorous approach proclaiming, “More Arts Funding Means Better Protest Signs.”

Petra Cahill / msnbc.com

A protester expresses her feelings about the Olympics.

With many of the streets in downtown Vancouver closed to vehicular traffic ahead of the final leg of the Olympic torch relay, the scene outside of the art gallery seemed to draw nearly as many tourists as protesters.

“Pretty ironic that they are all protesting the cost, because all this adds to the cost,” said one bemused Canadian observer who declined to give his name.

The streets around the art gallery were crowded with what appeared to be many Olympic supporters taking in the excitement ahead of the opening ceremony – from street musicians to a Speedo-clad street performer juggling aboard a tall unicycle.

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