They’ve come for an experience of a lifetime and the opening ceremonies take place tonight. About 1000 visitors are coming to Kelowna for the occasion. They are coming from 39 cities in 14 countries world-wide to participate in the International Children’s Winter Games, January 26 through 31. All the sporting events are free and open to the public, so here are some highlights you can take in while the Games are on:

Everyone will be arriving on January 26, getting oriented, and meeting with Olympian Emily Brydon in a luncheon at the Delta Grand, open only to athletes and media. The public Opening Ceremonies are on January 27 at Prospera Place, and are totally sold out.

The competitions start in earnest on Friday, January 28, and include hockey (boys) at Rutland Arena West, Memorial Arena (girls hockey), X-country skiing at Telemark, figure skating and speed skating at the Capital News Centre, curling at the Kelowna Curling Club, and alpine skiing and snowboarding at Big White.

A full Program Guide for the Games is available on the Kelowna2011 website, which will give you specific competition times, locations, and divisions.

On Saturday, the competitions continue in all the disciplines. There will be medal presentations in both figure skating (after the boys and girls Free Skate Program) and speed skating (after the 3000 m Exhibition race) at the Capital News Centre.

Sunday is a big day in Kelowna, with semi-finals and Bronze and Gold medal competitions in curling, and hockey. Again, you’ll want to check the Program Guide for the specifics of location and time for the sporting events you are keen to watch.

During the Games, there will be an info desk at the Delta Grand Conference Centre foyer. This is the one-stop shop for information on the Games, so it will be sure to be a busy place!

Thanks again to everyone in our community who is part of putting on the Games, especially the 800 volunteers and 100 host families. It is sure to be a spectacular event, and we are looking forward to it!