No matter how many opportunities elude it, Pemberton makes the best of every situation.
The Spud Valley's persistent spirit will be on display this weekend as the Village of Pemberton welcomes the Olympic torch relay to town.
Torch Relay Day starts on Saturday, Feb. 6 at 8:05 a.m. The torch starts its traverse through town at the Pemberton Information Centre, right at the edge of town, and then wends its way through the valley before heading east and off to Lillooet.
Once the torch heads up to Mount Currie the celebration kicks off with 1984 Olympic medalist Hugh Fisher acting as Master of Ceremonies at the Pemberton Community Centre. A First Nations blessing will be followed soon after by speeches and entertainment including Michelle Bartleman, a member of the Canadian Olympic Skeleton Team.
Activities throughout the day will include photo opportunities with the Olympic mascots and the Olympic torch.
Immediately following that will be an all-day street hockey tournament that will last from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Concurrently, Pemberton Fire Rescue will hold a Polar Bear Swim at One Mile Lake and there will be family Nordic sports back at the community centre.
The Pemberton Lions Club will host a barbecue from noon to 5 p.m. and the rest of the afternoon will be taken up by kids' crafts, story time and a Wii challenge from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The day concludes with fireworks lighting up the sky over Signal Hill Elementary School.
Participants are asked to bring a travel mug for free hot chocolate, courtesy of DiCarlo's Restaurant, as well as their own camera to get photos with Quatchi, Sumi and Miga.
Further details can be found at www.pembertonwinterfest.com or on the Pemberton Torch Relay Facebook page. Anyone interested in volunteering is asked to contact Arlene McClean at arlenemcclean@gmail.com .
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Pemberton's Olympic-time celebrations do not end with the torch relay. The village is hosting a full-month celebration in February to commemorate the biggest event that has ever hit the corridor.
Three locations will serve as Live Sites during the Games: the Pemberton Youth Centre, which will host youth-oriented events; and both the Great Hall at the Pemberton Community Centre and the outdoor Amphitheatre, which are expected to host family and adult events.
Events happening throughout the month-long celebration will include a viewing of Freestyle Skiing and Nordic Combined on Feb. 14 as well as a preliminary men's hockey game between Canada and the United States. There will be beer gardens at every hockey game.
February 16 and 23 will see Pemberton Nights of Dinner and Theatre while on Feb. 25 the community is invited to watch women's gold medal hockey at 3:30 p.m. On Feb. 28 everyone is invited to check out men's gold medal hockey starting at 12:15 p.m.
