It’s Canada’s birthday and everyone’s invited

There’ll be running, climbing, bouncing, laughing, eating and singing in Sun Peaks as the community celebrates Canada’s 143rd birthday. Join the celebrations on July 3 and 4 in Sun Peaks Resort.

Starting things off with an energetic kick off is the ninth annual Jo’s Road Race. Led by Jo Berry and the rest of the team, Jo’s Road Race has become one of the most popular summer running events in Sun Peaks. Individuals can sign up to do either a 5 km or a 10 km race around the village. Runners go past the covered bridge, the golf course and the tree-lined Valley Trail. Children can also participate in the 1 km mini race. Final registration for the races is at 8 a.m. followed by a fun race warm up that’s sure to get everyone ready to sprint. The races start at 10 a.m.

What would a celebration be without food? The Mountain of Beer and Chili Cook-off Competition will be held again this year and will run from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the village. There’ll be six participating restaurants: Bella Italia Ristorante, Powder Hounds Restaurant, Bottoms Bar and Grill, Masa’s Restaurant, Memories Restaurant and Morrisey’s Public House. Each restaurant will prepare their most mouthwatering chili recipe from scratch served with beer from the restaurant’s partner beer sponsor. After visiting each restaurant and sampling the beer and chili, the public gets to vote on their favourites. The master chili chef and beer brewer will be announced at an awards ceremony on July 3. Tickets are $30 and can be reserved at the Adventure Centre.

Wipeout fans can try something similar sans the pain through the giant inflatable obstacle course at the village.

“It’s a huge inflatable obstacle course so you can race against somebody. You kind of go through different weave poles, you go down a slide, you have to go through punching bags,” said Jen Barter, Tourism Sun Peaks’ Resort Experience Manager. “It’s really fun.”

Children with a bit more energy to burn can have fun in the bouncy castle. The obstacle course and bouncy castle will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

If you’re a dog lover, you won’t want to miss the Dog Agility Demo. Witness some of the best trained dogs perform, from border collies to terriers. Agility is the fastest growing dog sport in North America. With directions from a handler, dogs run through a specially designed obstacle course of teeter totters, tunnels, jumps, tires, weave poles, climbing frames and others. The demo will run from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the village.

Jon Kelly will give a live musical performance from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

For those who want hands-on music experience, free drumming lessons will be offered by Vancouver-based Drum Café from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Get the beats going as you learn how to play the big African drums. There’s space for approximately 20 people for each 15-minute drumming session. Find them at the upper village by Powder Hounds Restaurant.

Tickles and Youwza the clowns will be back in Sun Peaks to entertain both the young and the young at heart with their crazy antics.

Temporary Canada flag tattoos and stickers will be available free.
And if you do just one thing to celebrate the weekend, eat a slice of the Canada Day cake and think of all the things that make you proud to be Canadian. It is Canada’s birthday after all.