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Have a happy Canada Day in Whistler

Music, street entertainment and a parade or two to celebrate the nation’s 148th birthday
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There are plenty of ways to have fun on July 1, Canada’s 148th birthday.

Canada Day opens in Whistler tastefully, with its annual pancake breakfast at Florence Petersen Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

There is a $3 minimum donation which goes to Whistler Community Services, $2.75 if you bring your own plates and utensils.

Pedal Power, the annual ride parade for young bikers and sponsored by Pique, takes place at 10:30 a.m. Get dressed up and decorate your bike for this year’s theme — The Enchanted Forest. Or wear red and white, Canada’s colours.

There are prizes to be won.

To register visit the Pique tent on Canada Day, located in the municipal parking lot on Blackcomb Way.

Throughout the day there will be performances and fun at Town Plaza Gazebo and Town Plaza.

At Town Plaza Gazebo there is the North Shore Celtic Ensemble at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., Bubblemania with Tomas Truchan at 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., and Little Biggs Band at 4:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.

At Town Plaza there are Canada Day Crafts (1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.), Toni Smith — Hoop Interaction (2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.), Jazz the Balloonman (1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.), Paint on People — facepainting (1:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.).

The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra performs on Canada Day at Whistler Olympic Plaza at 3 p.m.

Conductor Gordon Gerad, with violin soloist Melody Ye Yuan, will lead the orchestra through O Canada by Lavalee and music by Brott, Wagner, J Strauss II, Marcus Goddard, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky.

The Whistler Farmer’s Market takes place in the Upper Village from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

And ArtWalk continues throughout Whistler Village. Pick up an ArtWalk passport at Millennium Place or the Whistler Visitor Info Centre to explore local art on show at local businesses.

There is free transit throughout Whistler from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Canada Day.

July 1 is going to be a scorcher in Whistler, so however you celebrate it be respectful of the sun’s power and cover up or use sunscreen — and don’t forget to drink plenty of water.

Due to the risk of wildfire in the tinder-dry Whistler area, there will be no fireworks on Canada Day.

And don’t forget to test your knowledge of this great country with Pique Newsmagazine’s big Canada Day Quiz! It is available from stands around the resort or online at www.piquenewsmagazine.com.