They came, they saw, they competed, cheered and some even cried. And for 17 days, Whistler residents and people from all over the world rocked out, grooved and danced together at countless free concerts all over the Village.

While big names such as Usher, Devo and Blue Rodeo graced Whistler’s Olympic stages, visitors from all over also got a dose of local flavour with performances by Sea to Sky musicians and DJs adding to the festivities.

In the words of “Grateful” Greg Reamsbottom of local duo the Hairfarmers, it was an “unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

As the Olympic madness started to wind down, The Question caught up with a few local performers who had the chance to make their mark on the world stage without ever leaving town.

Reamsbottom and co-star “Guitar” Doug Craig played 42 shows during February, with two shows every day since Feb. 10, Reamsbottom wrote in an email. On Feb. 12, the wildly popular duo kicked off the string of daily afternoon shows in Village Square.

“Wow, what a ride… the Olympic run was nothing short of epic,” Reamsbottom said.

Add both Hairfarmers’ birthdays to the biggest party in the world and “you’ve got the stuff legends are made of,” he said. Craig celebrated his birthday last Thursday (Feb. 25), followed by Reamsbottom’s 40th on Saturday (Feb. 27).

Capping the Games off with two shows after the Canadian men won hockey gold on Sunday (Feb. 28) was “over the top,” he said.

“The energy of the people in the audience was just so good — people were really amped up, which made for an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Reamsbottom said.

The silky, sassy vocals of Ali Milner got lots of attention when the local singer and pianist played at the Whistler torch relay celebrations on Feb. 5, in Robson Square in Vancouver on Feb. 12, and opening for the Barenaked Ladies in Village Square Feb. 17.

“People were really warm and welcoming,” Milner said. “Everyone was smiling and so happy to be here. I thought it was wonderful.”

No stranger to gigs in her hometown, Milner said the difference during the Games was the diverse, international crowds.

“It really was a world stage,” she said.

Singer/songwriter Alice Newton was able to interact with her international audience in the small, intimate shows she performed as part of the storytelling sessions near Rebagliati Park.

“I was able to meet a lot of great people, locals and internationals, and also listen to some great stories about the old days of Whistler,” she said. “Lots of people gathered around to listen to me play and everyone was so friendly and happy.”

Newton also performed in Town Plaza on Feb. 17.

“I loved being part of the vibrant excitement in town, and knowing that I was representing the community of Whistler by performing and sharing my music was an honour,” she said.

Garnet Clare of Whistler hip-hop duo Animal Nation said his Games experience was “surreal.” It was “amazing” to be in the same place with people from almost every country, but with no war or prejudice, he wrote in an email.

“Never have I met so many people with such huge smiles, so willing to make friends with anyone around them,” Clare said.

Animal Nation played a show opening for Jully Black in Village Square on Feb. 20.

“Playing at the Olympics was incredible. We’ve played around the world, on bigger stages than this one, but to play at home, with the world watching, with all our friends smiling and cheering us on — it’s hard to imagine playing a better event than that.”

Stay tuned to whistler2010.com for details on more local acts set to play during the Paralympics, March 12 to 21.