Joining communities across Canada, Whistler will celebrate the end of Environment Week on Saturday, June 10 with Enviro Fest, a community get together with a wide range of activities and attractions. The main part of the festival will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Mountain Square, but there are events both before and after.
The main before event is the Whistler Naturalists Scavenger Hunt. Cara Richard is hosting a guided nature walk and scavenger hunt in Lost Lake Park, meeting at the Warming Hut/Concession stand at 10 a.m. Families are encouraged to take part .
Richard will take the participants for a short walk around the area, identifying species of trees, plants and animals. Afterwards she will send out groups on a scavenger hunt to find and draw some of those species.
"It’s a lot of fun – a little competitive, but everyone wins and everyone gets a prize," said Richard, has organized this kind of scavenger hunt in the past as a naturalist for B.C. Parks.
"It’s a good event for children because they’re having fun out there, but it’s also educational and interactive. It’s a good way to learn about the local ecology and how to treat it with respect."
The whole event should take about an hour, and will run rain or shine.
Enviro Fest will feature displays by local environment groups, as well as entertainment throughout the day.
At noon, the Association of Whistler Area Residents for the Environment will present the first Whistler Environmental Business Award to the local business they feel has taken the most steps to reduce waste, cut energy consumption, organize employee transportation, or otherwise protect the environment.
The festival will also include the second annual How Slow Can You Go Bike Race from noon to 3:30 p.m. Drop by anytime to negotiate your way around a short course with obstacles, and keep those ties moving – putting your foot down or stalling the tires completely will result in a time penalty.
Reggae band Kostaman and Friends will be on hand to provide musical entertainment, as well as to promote a side project called Bands Against Hunger.
There will also be a hydrogen vehicle Ride and Drive, courtesy of Powertech, in association with Sacre-Davey Innovations. The pick-up will be on display and taking people for rides from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There is one after event as well. At 9 p.m. Hilltrip will be presenting the official Enviro Fest After Party at the Savage Beagle. Drop by to celebrate the day and learn more about different campaigns that Hilltrip supports.
For more information on the party check out the Arts section on page 61.
