It’s just 30 days until the 2010 Winter Olympics begin, and as an official Venue City, Surrey is set to host the largest ongoing party in its history.

At the Celebration Site at Holland Park, daily entertainment, hands-on activities and live viewing of Games events begins Feb. 12.

And the torch relay, which has been winding its way across Canada since Oct. 30, passes through this city starting Feb. 8 – just 26 sleeps from today.

In addition to years of planning on the part of paid staff, Surrey’s role in the Olympics wouldn’t be possible without a big contribution from volunteers – at least 600 of them.

With mere weeks to go until competition time, most shifts for volunteer positions – face painting, site crews and information providers, to name a few – have been filled.

But according to the City of Surrey’s 2010 website (http://www.2010.surrey.ca), all shifts remain open for “Mascot Performers” during the torch relay celebration on the evening of Feb. 8.

Successful applicants would play the parts of Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga.

Yet there are no takers. How can this be?

Granted, playing a mascot is not an easy job. Being ensconced in a hot, heavy and sometimes smelly costume for hours on end with limited visibility and even less autonomy (the “Mascot Handlers” positions have been filled) while kids hug/high-five/hit you takes the patience of a saint and the acting abilities of an Oscar contender.

(Even The Leader’s dear Scoop the news hound has had its share of mishaps. Bad dog).

But this is not just another Canucks game (sorry Fin) or fast food joint touting its newest delicacy (although props to the Little Caesars Pizza emperor gleefully dancing through snow, rain and gloom of night on the corner of 152 Street and Highway 10 in recent weeks).

This is the XXI Olympiad and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for residents to get in on the fun.

Surely there’s someone in Surrey or Delta who embodies the spirit of an earmuff-wearing, hockey-loving sasquatch-like beast with a penchant for travelling, or a petite black-and-white sea bear with dreams of snowboarding glory.

Anyone?