Part cheerleader chant, part talent show, all patriotic — this year’s Canada Day parade in Whistler is shaping up to raise the bar on local celebrations.

The 2009 parade theme is Whistler Spirit, Let’s Hear It!: Celebrating our Arts, Culture and Heritage. Get ready for business and community groups to sing and dance their way along the Village Stroll as they cheer on Canada’s birthday on Wednesday (July 1).

Fiona Famulak, president of Whistler’s Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the parade, said the idea for the parade theme came from Whistler’s designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada for 2009.

“It’s something to be very proud of,” she wrote in an email to The Question. “We are hoping that our businesses and community groups will showcase their own culture or heritage, whether Canadian or otherwise, in the most creative way possible.

“We want to show our guests that Whistler has a diverse, international population, and that it welcomes the world.”

As a bonus, motorized vehicles are allowed in the parade this year after being excluded from the 2008 parade. Still, Chamber staff members are encouraging environmentally sensitive floats. One of the four prizes will be awarded for the most innovative approach to a sustainable float.

New this year to Whistler’s Canada Day parade is the Captain Canada competition. Famulak said the contest is a fun addition that “gives an opportunity to individuals, who may not be part of a business or group, to participate.” People are invited to come up with creative interpretations of what a Captain Canada should look like, and then dress up and join the parade.

“We encourage entrants to think ‘Canadiana,’” she said.

Everyone is encouraged to come to the parade, Famulak said. Employees from event sponsor Terasen Gas are even making time out of the busy natural gas conversion project to enter a float, she said.

The parade gets underway at noon on July 1, starting from Day Lot 4 and winding its way past the Whistler Library and onto the Village Stroll at Town Plaza. The parade route ends at Mountain Square, where a ceremony will follow starting around 12:45 p.m.

Mayor Ken Melamed will be on hand to give a Canada Day message, local musician Jon Shrier will lead the crowd in singing “O Canada,” and birthday cake will be served.

The day continues with fun for all ages as the Whistler Arts Council (WAC) presents street entertainment and live music by the Paperboys. Traci Despatis, WAC’s event manager, said the celebration actually begins on Saturday (June 27) and continues past Canada Day with street entertainment planned daily through July 5 (except for July 2).

On Wednesday, Cary and Paulo Lopes will be on hand in Village Square with their extravagant live art, while Michael Penton and family will create balloon animals and paint faces in Mountain Square. The inflatable, bouncy Colossal Canadian will be roaming around the Village. The entertainment gets underway at 11 a.m.

A Whistler party wouldn’t be complete without celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics. July 1 happens to be the grand opening of Whistler’s new Olympic Store (the former Glacier Shop near the Brewhouse), and festivities are planned from 1 to 4 p.m. Sports demos and athlete and guest appearances are in store, with mascots Miga, Sumi and Quatchi expected to be in attendance.

Canada Day celebrations are also planned in Pemberton, starting with the Spud Run at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 11 p.m. with live music, beer garden and dinner with the Birken Fire Department. In between, the Make Believe-themed parade starts at 11 a.m. and the day’s events include a petting zoo, bouncy castle and other kids activities, entertainment, barbecue lunch, and the artists’ village and farmers’ market.