Block party celebrates 2015 Games

Two years out.

Less than a week to wait.

To be more precise, there are only a few days left before the 2015 Canada Winter Games Committee hosts its two-years-out celebration.

It all begins next Wednesday with a plaque dedication for the citizens of Prince George near the city's population sign at the northeast corner of the Highways 16-Highway 97 intersection. While there will be no formal ceremony to commemorate that event, the committee will release a photo of the new sign and introduce a countdown clock widget, to become prominent on the websites of Games stakeholders.

On Friday at 2 p.m. at Canada Games House at 545 Quebec St., details will be announced about the Canada Winter Games ambassadors program and how local citizens can get involved.

Then at 5 p.m. that day, the block party begins in front of Canada Games House. The street will be closed and the adjacent parking lot will provide a venue for ice sculptures, kids activities, snowboard rail jam riding, live entertainers, a huge video screen, cultural groups, and sport group information booths.

There will be free food, and Games souvenirs and gift certificates to be given away. If you want a free wax job, bring your snowboard and cross-country skis. Stride & Glide Sports and Ruins Board Shop will provide those services free of charge. The party ends with a fireworks display at Connaught Hill Park.

A dedication ceremony will follow on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at the new ski trails at Otway Nordic Centre. The trails are among several improvements the Caledonia Nordic Ski Club has to offer in its role as the host club of the Games' cross-country and biathlon events.

The 18-day Games, Feb. 15-March 1, 2015, will be the largest multisport and cultural event in the city's 100-year history. The two weeks of competition will attract 2,350 athletes, 950 coaches and officials, close to 4,500 volunteers, hundreds of media and medical professionals, and thousands of visitors.

For more information go to canadagames2015.ca or find them on Twitter: @2015CanadaGames, #2yearcountdown.