Once the Olympic torch relay has wound its way through Burnaby and into Vancouver, the Burnaby Spirit Committee is inviting the public to Metropolis at Metrotown where it will host an arts and cultural celebration to mark the occasion.

The event takes place at the mall’s Grand Court starting at 2:30 p.m. when South Burnaby Neighbourhood House will have activities and face painting for kids.

The entertainment starts at 3:30 p.m. with a Chinese lion dance by the Tao Style Lion Dance Kung Fu Club.

The Burnaby District Children’s Choir, 70 students from grades 1 to 4, will perform, followed by speakers–Mayor Derek Corrigan and representatives from Burnaby school district, Tourism Burnaby and Metropoli—at 4 p.m.

At 4:05 p.m., Compaigni V’ni Dansi will dance, with special guest Stacy Da Silva, First Nations Hoop dancer, and The Louis Riel Metis dancers, performing a dynamic display of traditonal hoop dance and the evolution of Metis Jigging.

Burnaby Paralympian Courtney Knight, a member of the Canadian cross-country team, will be introduced and will sign autographs starting at 4:15 p.m. Knight, who has less than 10 per cent of normal vision, holds Canadian records in seven Paralympic events and is a three-time Parlaympian, winning silver medals in Atlanta and Sydney.

Free refreshments will be served, thanks to students at Byrne Creek secondary’s catering class who are preparing a ceremonial cake and 3,000 mini cupcakes for the occasion.

Spectators will then be treated to a performances by the 65-member Burnaby North Marching Band at 4:45 p.m., followed by Darcelle’s Dancers at 4:55 p.m., and four groups of Ismaili Muslim dancers representing Indian, Afghani and African styles, as well as Sufi whirling dervishes at 5:05 p.m.

Refreshments will be served again at 5:15 p.m

The reigning world champion Simon Fraser University Pipe Band will then take the stage at 5:45 p.m., showing why they’ve won the worlds six times and the world drum corps championships four times.

Colours of Dance will perform traditional Chinese dance at 5:55 p.m., followed by Highland dancers and others. The event ends at 6:30 p.m.