Whole lotta festing going on Festival highlights You should have an official Hongkong Bank Whistler Ski Classic Festival program nearby for the schedule of events, but here are a few highlights of this weekend's events: Friday, Nov. 28 — 5:30 p.m.: People's Parade. Everyone is invited to join in as the parade, led by RCMP and the Whistler/Blackcomb Freeride Team, winds its way from the Whistler Village Gondola to the conference centre. Bring a flashlight and wear red and white to add to the show. 6 p.m.: Opening ceremonies, bib draw and Taste of Whistler. The Chairlift Review will entertain with skits, the bibs will be drawn and then you move right into the Taste of Whistler, running to 9 p.m. For $3 or $5, you'll get a chance to sample appetizers from 29 bars and restaurants represented at conference centre booths. There are bound to be liquid samples galore, too. The Whistler Children's Choir will perform as will a specially choreographed Myrtle Philip Elementary School gymnastics team. Rob Boyd, Chris Kent and Don Andrews will offer race-watching pointers. Children have a special place, too, at the Crab Shack kiddies area where crafts and root beer will keep them entertained while the big folks stroll the grounds. Saturday, Nov. 29 — 9-11 a.m.: Creekside comes alive with a morning show of local celebs warming the folks before the downhill race. Splash Nash has a hot tub on site so bring your suit and jump right in, while Chasmophile runs through its wild and wacky fashion show. Creekside Merchants will keep the tummy rumblings down with their pancake breakfast, all proceeds going to a charity. 11 a.m.: The race. 3 p.m.: Back to the Village after the race for demo booths where you can try out every type of ski, or winter sport gear imaginable. Music plays through the evening to 5:30 p.m. (See related story). 4:30 p.m.: A special — and in certain fun ways very top secret — community recognition event takes place at the footbridge spanning Village Gate Boulevard next to North Shore Credit Union. MLA Ted Nebbeling will be there. He has been recognized as instrumental in getting Whistler its 10-year World Cup commitment and is in for a big surprise. 6 p.m.: The Festival of Lights at the Chateau Whistler Macdonald Ballroom. Tickets are $125 for this gala event (available from any Whistler realtor) which raises a great whopping bag of money for local organizations. Live and silent auctions feature such items as free use of Coca-Cola's private box for the March 1, 1998, basketball Grizzlies game. The box seats 12-14 of your pals and includes dinner. The Val d'Isere restaurant is auctioning an evening dinner with wine for 75 people. It is one of only 13 four-star restaurants in the Pacific North-West so you know you're in for something special. The Festival of Lights has raised more than $300,000 in the past six years. Some of this year's beneficiaries include the Mount Currie Band for kitchen equipment, a Young Adults in Partnership skateboard park, and an artist in residence for the Whistler Fine Arts Committee. Sunday, Nov. 30 — 9-11 a.m.: The Creekside morning show repeats from Saturday with the same great lineup to get you going for the super G, which starts at 11 a.m. 1 p.m.: If all goes well, the post-race press conference at Lake Placid Lodge will surprise and amaze one and all with the many ways winning skiers can reply to the time-worn "so, how does it feel to win?"
