After a full week of the Canada Winter Games and Coldsnap, I am exhausted and so very proud of this city. After the first week, many of us are starting to feel a little burned out from all of the excitement. Congratulations to all of the athletes (medal winners or not) who are competing in the Games in Prince George. You are all doing very well and I hope you have a great time in our city and that you tell everyone at home about how awesome Prince George is.
My husband, William Kuklis, played two great shows for Coldsnap earlier in the week and I wanted to thank the organizers of the festival for putting on such a great event. I love live music and I adore being able to attend for free. I am in awe of the amazing volunteers in this city who have taken time away from their own busy lives to help make the Winter Games and Coldsnap such a fantastic experience for everyone involved. Volunteers, I covet your handsome green jackets. (I wouldn't mind a Canfor lumbersexual toque and beard either.)
When you live in a small city like Prince George, the traffic moves in predictable ways and people know what to expect when they drive around town. By hosting an event such as the Canada Winter Games, the residents of the city are committed to making the event as good as possible, with one exception - we worry about parking.
People of Prince George, I have a small announcement to make: "The reports about parking have been grossly exaggerated."
At least five different people in my life have all avoided going downtown to watch the fireworks or the medal ceremonies or the music because they have "heard" the roads are closed and you're going to have to park at least ten blocks away. This is scary to Prince George residents. We are a car town and we like to park in front of the stores we are going into because 1) it's cold 2) it's February and 3) it's cold.
Rest assured fair Prince Georgians! The weather is balmy and there is parking available.Don't be a February bum and come on down to enjoy the show. I know it's easier to stay inside but come out! It's fun.Support your local, regional and national musicians! Come cheer on the athletes! When are you ever going to be able to see an entire music festival for free? Nothing is ever free and there should be a packed house at every event every night. Go out on a work night. Stay up until 10:00 pm. These are crazy times; we should be awake to enjoy them. When will we ever get the chance to watch future Olympians in our own town?
This is such an amazing experience so make sure you get out and enjoy it while it's here.
