This year the fair will take place at Spring Creek Elementary, with construction still ongoing at Whistler Secondary. Participating groups, which includes everything from minor hockey to the local ski club to the Whistler Children’s Choir, are invited to host demos and displays throughout the event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Whistler Minor Hockey and the Whistler Skating Club will also be hosting their annual gear swap, with a wide range of equipment available.
For the first time this year Whistler Secondary will be using the kitchen to host a café, with all of the proceeds going towards high school sports.
"That’s something we haven’t been able to do in the past, but because Spring Creek has a kitchen we decided to open it up to the high school kids to raise money for registration and travelling expenses," said Sheila Mozes, who is co-ordinating the event.
Kidsport Whistler, a local program that provides grants to athletes to help them pay for equipment and registration, will also have a presence at Strut Your Stuff. The group has an annual budget of about $10,000 through donations from the Whistler-Blackcomb Foundation.
Kids between the ages of 5 and 18 who can’t afford to participate will be able to apply for grants up to $300 to help pay for registration and equipment, based on needs. In addition three local sports groups will be able to apply for $500 each to pay for equipment, travelling costs and facility time, helping them to keep their own costs down.
"Traditionally we’re looking at giving grants to around 30 kids, helping kids who otherwise might not be able to take part in a sport or an activity to be involved," said Mozes. "What we don’t spend we roll over to next year to look after needs that are down the road."
According to Mozes, 100 per cent of the money donated to Kidsport goes directly to children and sports with volunteers taking care of all the arrangements. The funds are distributed through the Whistler Community Services society based on their own assistance program for recreation programs.
