The following public events are being held to welcome the Rick Hansen 25th anniversary relay:
PORT COQUITLAM
THURSDAY, MAY 17
From 3 to 3:30 p.m., a community event will be held at Leigh Square featuring medal-bearer Bob Whyte. Hosted by Global TV's Kaitlyn Herbst, PoCo's event will feature:
entertainment by Riverside secondary school's Korean drumming group and music council, the Wheeling 8's square dance group, musicians Bill Marshall and Brothers, Archbishop Carney regional secondary's senior vocal jazz ensemble and singers Teaghan Iverson, Emily Amaral and Marquis Byrd.
a special farmer's market from 3 to 6 p.m. featuring food vendors and artists;
an injury-prevention display from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Outlet, including a showing of the CBC biography Never Give Up on Your Dreams - The Life and Times of Rick Hansen;
opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. of the art exhibit Challenging the Myths - Arts and Disability at the Gathering Place (exhibit continues to June 11);
Rising Stars event in the bandshell at 6 p.m. recognizing local athletic stars.
More info, including route map, available at www.portcoquitlam.ca/rickhansen.
COQUITLAM
THURSDAY, MAY 17
From 4 to 5:30 p.m., a community event at Spirit Square on Burlington Drive will feature live music and interactive booths set up by many of the relay sponsors. There will be music by Now and Then and a large LED screen will show video clips at 5 p.m., when the final medal bearer will arrive.
Parking advisory: The underground parkade at city hall will be closed from 4 to 5:30 p.m. so visitors are encouraged to park at the Evergreen Cultural Centre, or walk or take transit.
More info, including route map and traffic advisories, available at www.coquitlam.ca, click on Recreation Parks and Culture.
PORT MOODY
FRIDAY, MAY 18
From 8:45 to 9:30 a.m., there will be a community event in front of Port Moody city hall, where residents are invited to cheer on Brynn Bishop, a Moody middle school student who is the medal bearer for Port Moody, listen to music by Tony Prophet and hear speeches by local dignitaries.
More information, visit www.portmoody.ca under Events.
COQUITLAM
Rick Hansen will repeat his historic climb of Thermal Drive starting from Mohawk at 10:15 a.m. A formal community stop will take place at Seymour from about 11:05 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Traffic advisory: Thermal Drive/Moray Street will be closed between Como Lake and St. Johns beginning at 10 a.m. until the crowds have cleared at approximately noon.
