Whistler is the place to be for the July 1 Canada Day celebration, with an entire weekend's worth of events stretching through to the American Independence Day long weekend on Monday, July 4.
The range of events runs the gamut from live musical performance, to the traditional parade, to a pro snowboarding competition with $50,000 in prize money on the line. Venues range from the mountains to the village to the resort as a whole. There is really something for everyone, and so much going on that you'll probably have to pick and choose.
Some of the major events to watch for include:
The Canada Day Parade starts at Town Plaza at noon and winds its way around the village to Mountain Square. There is a ceremony at 2 p.m. with the Delta Youth Orchestra, Burnaby North Marching Band, kids' crafts and the Canada Day cake.
The Billabong Ante Up is a five star TTR World Tour event that kicks off the 2011-2012 pro season. Some of the top riders in the world will be taking on a massive jump outside the Roundhouse Lodge on Whistler Mountain. (For more, see Sports on page XX).
The Canada Day concerts take place at 8 p.m. at the Whistler Olympic Plaza, with Qristina & Quinn playing Celtic music, followed by a performance by fiddle virtuous Ashley MacIsaac at 9 p.m. There will be fireworks at 10:15 p.m. (For more, see Music on page XX).
There will be street entertainment and live performances through the weekend, including Hannah Georgas and Vince Vaccaro on Saturday, children's entertainer Fred Penner on Sunday, as well as music from the High Bar Gang, Matthew Barber and Wil.
Monday's main attraction is the funk duo The Human Statues in Mountain Square at 5 p.m. There will be fireworks in Skier's Plaza at 10:15 p.m.
