Bear research in Whistler has gone in a new direction.
The Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival is introducing a mascot and is looking to the Whistler community to help name him.
In fitting with Whistler's wildlife, the festival mascot is a sporty black bear. The mascot will be officially launched at this year's Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival, which takes place April 16-25, 2004.
The Name That Bear Contest' calls on Whistler's creative minds to submit their great name ideas to W1 Inc., producers of the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival. The person who provides the best name will win a portable Panasonic CD/MP3 player. To enter, contestants must e-mail their name idea to bear@wssf.com. W1 will select the winning entry based on the name that best reflects the spirit of the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival. Entries are limited to one per person and must be received by 5 p.m. PST on Feb. 2. The winner will be contacted by Feb. 4.
The festival is also running a mascot colouring contest for Whistler's kids. The contest is divided into two age categories: seven and under, and eight and above. One winner from each age category will be selected and the winning entries will be chosen based on their effort and creativity.
The winners will be visited by the festival mascot at their school and presented with a gift package. Colouring sheets will be distributed to children at Myrtle Philip and Spring Creek elementary schools.
Colouring sheets can also be downloaded from whistler2004.com and are available for pick-up at Nesters and Meadow Park Sports Centre. Completed colouring sheets can be dropped off at Nesters and Meadow Park Sports Centre, or can be mailed to: Name That Bear Contest, care of W1 Inc., 10-1006 Lynham Road, Whistler, B.C. V0N 1B1. Entries are limited to one per person and must be received by 5 p.m. PST on Feb. 2. The winner will be contacted by Feb. 4.
