BC Summer Games are intended to be more than just a celebration of athletic abilities and effort, but like the recent 2010 Olympics there’s a cultural component that’s key to the mix.

In the case of the Games, which kicked off last night with the opening ceremonies at McLeod Athletic Park (MAP), there were some uniquely Langley entertainment incorporated into the festivities.

Such will also be the case today (Friday) and Saturday, at MAP and Willoughby Community Park (next to the Langley Events Centre).

Unlike one Games committee that has been focused on organizing the opening and closing ceremonies, another that has been charged with entertaining the athletes on Friday and Saturday night, and yet another asked to entertain the volunteers during an appreciation concert at MAP the Monday after the Games, Nadean Vonk’s job is different.

The arts and heritage educator with the Langley Centennial Museum – part of the Township’s parks and recreation department – has been challenged (along with her supervisor John Robertson) to devise an entertainment schedule more directed at the visiting public and the Langley residents who might want to join in the fun.

“We will have entertainment for the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at two of the parks involved, including balloon artists, caricaturists, clowns, facepainters, and more,” Vonk said.

“This offering is part of the Township’s efforts to spread the spirit of the Games through sport and culture,” Vonk said.

This entertainment will be situated under one green Langley Centennial Museum tent across from the water park in Willoughby, and another near the field house at MAP.

“I would like visitors and residents alike to feel they were part of the Games experience, even if they just stumble upon our entertainment tent while at the Langley Events Centre water park or are passing by on the way to play their next game,” she added.

“Langley residents and families might be interested in coming out just to experience the spirit of the Games, even if they don’t know an athlete competing personally.”

In addition to entertaining the public, Vonk’s group has also been tasked with amusing the athletes during dinner.

A stage has been set up, alongside row-upon-row of tables and chairs, in the covered lacrosse box behind Langley Secondary School – where the athletes will eat breakfast and dinner.

Following themes set out by the Games organizing committee, Thursday’s entertainment had to incorporate a Christmas in July theme that was augmented by metres of Christmas lights and a blowup Santa, while Friday’s theme is Italian, and Saturday is country and western.

So on Thursday, prior to the opening ceremonies, the athletes were entertained by a league of children from the Walnut Grove School of Music and Dance singing Christmas carols.

Among the kids who performed were Kiara Ambersley, Charlene Chan, Kendra Stewart, Ava Baartman, Julia van Ingen, Arwyn Thompson, Aaron Zhang, Adalie Schnider, Colby Chambers, Ishika Bhajan, Darius Hurford, Nicole Hague, Stephanie Tomchuk, Tamara Pawsey, Katherine Randall, and Kristina Randall.

The accompanist was Joanne Sommer-Miller, and the choir director Amaris Gray.

Juggler Mike Battie also helped entertain leading up to, and immediately following dinner, while the athletes were waiting to marshall in for the opening ceremonies.

On Friday night, following the Italian theme, flags from that country were set up throughout the lacrosse box, and the Vancouver Men’s Italian Folk Choir was invited in to sing for two hours.

As for Saturday, with a country and western theme, wagon wheels will be rolled in to add to the ambiance, and KerryLee Manual and Roger Schmidt of C&W Music will entertain from 5 to 7 p.m.

“I hope the athletes feel welcome in our city and enjoy the dinner time entertainment and decorations,” Vonk said.

“My personal goal is to bring a little bit of creativity and culture to the BC Summer Games – this way the Township of Langley can be a great host municipality serving the needs and expectations of an event of this scale.”

Entertainmentfor all ages

Willoughby Community Park (next to LEC)

• Friday, July 23

11 a.m.-noon -– Cory the Caricaturist

12-1 p.m. – Fort Langley National Historic Site interactive program

1-2 p.m. – Madam Butterfly

2-4 p.m. – Mr. Flowers

• Saturday, July 24

11 a.m.-2 p.m. – Michael Ouchi’s balloon art

1-4 p.m. – Cory the Caricaturist

McLeod Athletic Park (216th Street and 56th Ave.)

• Friday, July 23

11 a.m. 1 p.m. -– Mr. Flowers

1-2 p.m. – Cory the Caricaturist

2-4 p.m. – Madam Butterfly

• Saturday, July 24

11 a.m. 1 p.m. -– Cory the Caricaturist and Madam Butterfly

1-2 p.m. – Madam Butterfly

204 p.m. – Michael Ouchi

• Everything is free, except $5 carictures, all funds to Langley KidSport Society.